January 02, 2013 - Pope Benedict XVI held his first general audience of this year
on Jan. 2nd. During the Pope’s weekly audience on Wednesday, pilgrims
and tourists who come to Rome have a chance of seeing and hearing the Holy Father
speak in several languages and also receive his blessing. The first general audience
of 2013 was held indoors in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall. It began with aides
reading in several languages a passage from Luke’s Gospel about shepherds visiting
the Babe of Bethlehem. Speaking on behalf of the English speaking pilgrims an aide
greeted the Pope for the New Year. Pope Benedict then spoke in English.
Listen:
Dear
Brothers and Sisters, In this Christmas season, we rejoice in the light
which surrounds Christ’s birth, bringing a hope which transforms our life in this
world. Each year our celebration leads us to reflect anew on Jesus’ identity as the
only-begotten Son of God, who became man for our salvation. Jesus is truly Emmanuel:
“God among us”, born of the Virgin Mary. When we profess the mystery of the incarnation
in the Creed, we bow our heads in awe and adoration. We acknowledge that the incarnation
is the work of the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity, brought about through Mary’s
free cooperation. The incarnation is the beginning of the new creation. Conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ is the new Adam who offers humanity rebirth
in the waters of Baptism, by which we become sons and daughters of our heavenly Father.
During this holy season, may we welcome the Saviour into our hearts, allow God’s power
to strengthen and transform our weakness, and bear joyful witness to the dawning of
the new creation. I am pleased to greet all the English-speaking visitors
present, including pilgrims from Norway, Japan, Vietnam and the United States. Upon
you and your families I invoke the Lord’s blessings of joy, peace and prosperity for
the year which has just begun. Happy New Year!