CHRISTMAS MESSAGE 2007

Our Christmas celebration recalls to us the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Prince of Peace. We are privileged to celebrate the holidays in relative quiet this year.

But this Prince of Peace was born unnoticed, and welcomed only among the poor. Signs of poverty like “the stable, a mangers and swaddling clothes” identified Him to shepherds and wise seekers of the Messiah.

No wealth, no power, no leaders were mentioned as attending His coming. The sign that the Messiah has come is “that the Good News will be preached or will eventually reach the poor.”

Featured with importance in the birth of Jesus, the poor will be the first to enter the Kingdom of the Father. Should there be a question of justice between the rich and the poor, the sign of a Christian believer’s community is that in any such contest --- where land, salaries or food are the issues --- the resolution must be tilted towards the poor. Even the law’s interpretation and application must favour the poor, like the Good News being preached first to the poor.

The Christian principle is this: Justice has its limitations. Charity has none! The principle was expressed in different words by one of our greatest leaders when he said, “Those who have less in life should have more in law.”

Our prayer and pleading, like a Christian prayer of hope and peace, is for the poor to be paid more attention to in our Christian country’s economy and laws. This will eventually bring Peace to everyone.

If only…if only this could be done…Charity prevailing over justice…then our greeting of Merry Christmas, “saying hello” to a friend, giving or receiving a gift or any of the season’s tradition will have a special meaning and feeling of love on Christmas and every day of the year.

PAGPALAIN TAYO NG ISANG MAPAGMAHAL NA PASKO!

God bless us all!

Gaudencio B. Cardinal Rosales
Archbishop of Manila