Pope Benedict XVI calls upon children to bear witness to Jesus

(22 Dec. 2006) : "Christmas is the great mystery of the Truth and Beauty of God Who came among us for everyone's salvation. The birth of Jesus is not a fable, it is a story that really happened, in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. Faith brings us to recognize in that little Child born of the Virgin Mary, the true Son of God Who, out of love, chose to become man," said Pope Benedict XVI while addressing a group of children from Italian Catholic Action, who traditionally come to the Vatican to the Pope a happy Christmas.

"In the face of the little Jesus," the Pontiff continued, "we contemplate the face of God, which is not revealed through force or power, but in weakness and the fragile constitution of a child. This 'Divine Child' demonstrates the faithfulness and tenderness of the boundless love with which God surrounds each one of us. For this reason we rejoice at Christmas, re-living the same experience as the shepherds of Bethlehem." "Isn't it wonderful to make him increasingly known to your friends, in cities, in parishes, in your families?" the Pope asked. "The Church needs you to be close to all children and youngsters." Before taking leave of his guests, Benedict XVI added: "Give witness that Jesus does not take any of your joy away; rather, he makes you more human, truer and more beautiful."