"Urbi et Orbi" Christmas Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
(December 25, 2010) At midday on Christmas Pope Benedict appeared at the central
balcony of the St. Peter’s Basilica overlooking St. Peter’s Square to deliver his
traditional “Urbi et Orbi” Christmas message and blessing and greeted the people of
the world in 57 languages. The event was telecast live by numerous networks around
the world. The Latin expression “Urbi et Orbi” means “to the city of Rome and to
the world”, as the Pope is both the bishop of Rome as well as the head of the universal
Catholic Church. The papal “Urbi et Orbi” message is delivered twice a year – at
Christmas and at Easter. Pope Benedict XVI delivered his “Urbi et Orbi” message in
Italian. Below is the text of the English version:
“Verbum caro factum
est” – “The Word became flesh” (Jn 1:14).
Dear
brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully
proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God
is not distant: he is “Emmanuel”, God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face,
the face of Jesus.
This message is ever new, ever
surprising, for it surpasses even our most daring hope. First of all, because it
is not merely a proclamation: it is an event, a happening, which credible witnesses
saw, heard and touched in the person of Jesus of Nazareth! Being in his presence,
observing his works and hearing his words, they recognized in Jesus the Messiah; and
seeing him risen, after his crucifixion, they were certain that he was true man and
true God, the only-begotten Son come from the Father, full of grace and truth (cf.
Jn 1:14).
“The Word became flesh”. Before this
revelation we once more wonder: how can this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually
opposed realities; how can the eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal
man? There is only one answer: Love. Those who love desire to share with the beloved,
they want to be one with the beloved, and Sacred Scripture shows us the great love
story of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ.
God
in fact does not change: he is faithful to himself. He who created the world is the
same one who called Abraham and revealed his name to Moses: “I am who I am … the God
of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … a God merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast
love and faithfulness (cf. Ex 3:14-15; 34:6). God does not change; he is Love, ever
and always. In himself he is communion, unity in Trinity, and all his words and works
are directed to communion. The Incarnation is the culmination of creation. When
Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, was formed in the womb of Mary by the will of the
Father and the working of the Holy Spirit, creation reached its high point. The ordering
principle of the universe, the Logos, began to exist in the world, in a certain time
and space.
“The Word became flesh”. The light of
this truth is revealed to those who receive it in faith, for it is a mystery of love.
Only those who are open to love are enveloped in the light of Christmas. So it was
on that night in Bethlehem, and so it is today. The Incarnation of the Son of God
is an event which occurred within history, while at the same time transcending history.
In the night of the world a new light was kindled, one which lets itself be seen by
the simple eyes of faith, by the meek and humble hearts of those who await the Saviour.
If the truth were a mere mathematical formula, in some sense it would impose itself
by its own power. But if Truth is Love, it calls for faith, for the “yes” of our
hearts.
And what do our hearts, in effect, seek,
if not a Truth which is also Love? Children seek it with their questions, so disarming
and stimulating; young people seek it in their eagerness to discover the deepest meaning
of their life; adults seek it in order to guide and sustain their commitments in the
family and the workplace; the elderly seek it in order to grant completion to their
earthly existence.
“The Word became flesh”. The
proclamation of Christmas is also a light for all peoples, for the collective journey
of humanity. “Emmanuel”, God-with-us, has come as King of justice and peace. We
know that his Kingdom is not of this world, and yet it is more important than all
the kingdoms of this world. It is like the leaven of humanity: were it lacking, the
energy to work for true development would flag: the impulse to work together for the
common good, in the disinterested service of our neighbour, in the peaceful struggle
for justice. Belief in the God who desired to share in our history constantly encourages
us in our own commitment to that history, for all its contradictions. It is a source
of hope for everyone whose dignity is offended and violated, since the one born in
Bethlehem came to set every man and woman free from the source of all enslavement.
May
the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was born, and inspire
Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence. May the
comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel ease the pain and bring consolation amid
their trials to the beloved Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle
East; may it bring them comfort and hope for the future and bring the leaders of nations
to show them effective solidarity. May it also be so for those in Haiti who still
suffer in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and the recent cholera epidemic.
May the same hold true not only for those in Colombia and Venezuela, but also in Guatemala
and Costa Rica, who recently suffered natural disasters.
May
the birth of the Saviour open horizons of lasting peace and authentic progress for
the peoples of Somalia, Darfur and Côte d’Ivoire; may it promote political and social
stability in Madagascar; may it bring security and respect for human rights in Afghanistan
and in Pakistan; may it encourage dialogue between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and may
it advance reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.
May
the birth of the Saviour strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the
faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the
limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in
fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep alive the flame of hope. May the love
of “God-with-us” grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination
and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full
respect for the religious freedom of all.
Dear brothers
and sisters, “the Word became flesh”; he came to dwell among us; he is Emmanuel, the
God who became close to us. Together let us contemplate this great mystery of love;
let our hearts be filled with the light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem!
To everyone, a Merry Christmas!
After the “Urbi et Orbi” Christmas message,
Pope Benedict delivered Christmas greetings in 57 languages of the world including
11 in Asian languages. Pope Benedict concluded by imparted his special Christmas
‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing. A cardinal announced that all those following the event
in St. Peter’s Square as well as via radio and television could obtain a plenary indulgence
in keeping with the rules established by the Catholic Church. An indulgence is the
full or partial remission of temporal punishment in purgatory, due for sins which
have already been forgiven. There are a number of conditions that a person seeking
an indulgence must fulfil, most importantly a total detachment from sin. Hence those
receiving the Pope’s ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing for Christmas could obtain a full indulgence.