Pope’s missionary prayer intention for December

(December 01, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI’s missionary intention for the month of December is that “the people of the world open their doors to Christ and to His Gospel of peace, brotherhood and justice.”
“It is Christmas every time we allow Jesus to love others, through us”, says Pope Benedict, recalling the words of Mother Teresa of Kolkata, in his missionary intention for December. The story of the birth of Jesus speaks of a world that had no room for the Saviour, says the Pope. Even today, many people reject God and His teachings. Reminding everyone that God was born as a child in Bethlehem to share in our burden of life, the Pope says that Christ wants to give us all what we most long for – peace, brotherhood and justice, but they are available only, if we open our hearts to Christ, to His Gospel and teachings and love God and our neighbour, as much as we love ourselves. Noting that long, long ago on Christmas night, the shepherds heard Christ’s message because they were on the watch and awake, the Pope calls us to pray that people may awaken and open their doors to Jesus Christ and His teachings.