Pope Benedict XVI in English - Weekly General Audience
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In these last days before Christmas, the Church
invites us to contemplate the mystery of Christ’s Birth and to experience the joy
and hope which the newborn Saviour brings into our world. Gazing on the Christ Child
lying in the manger, we contemplate the love of a God who humbly asks us to welcome
him into our hearts and into our world. By coming among us as a helpless Child, God
conquers our hearts not by force, but by love, and thus teaches us the way to authentic
freedom, peace and fulfilment”. This Christmas, may the Lord grant us simplicity
of heart, so that we may recognize his presence and love in the lowly Babe of Bethlehem,
and, like the shepherds, return to our homes filled with ineffable joy and gladness.
*
* *
I offer a warm welcome to the English-speaking visitors present at
today’s Audience, especially the groups from the Philippines and the United States.
In these holy days, may you and your families draw ever closer to the Lord and experience
his heavenly gifts of love, joy and peace. Merry Christmas!