My sisters and brothers, grace and peace to each of you and Merry Christmas. During this joyful season, I wish each of you a very blessed Christmas season this year. Preparing ourselves for the reception of Christ, we light Christmas candles and lights everywhere. It is as if we are taunting the darkness.

Light will overcome the darkness. Indeed, even the prophet Isaiah prophesied about this fact, which we will hear at Christmas Mass during the night when we read, “A people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” There's something attractive about going toward the light. In fact, this light transforms the darkness of night into the brightness of day. We welcome the day again, as it is a time to be ourselves and see where we are headed. It is a place where we can dream dreams and have high hopes. Of course, in the stillness of a December night, we can almost hear the angel chorus singing, “Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to people of goodwill.” 

Christmas causes us to reflect on the world situation in our own hearts. I believe it's safe to say no one wants war. Still, dark shadows of war swirl around us as we hear about places where peace is fragile or in jeopardy [and] when we think about our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Gaza, Lebanon, Myanmar, Yemen; to name a few. I think to myself: “Why can't we get along? Why do people have to suffer? What is there to gain in the end?” Let our voices be strong. No more war. No more violence. 

More closely to home, we are worried about our own safety and security. Still, it was in a world where man's inhumanity couldn't be harnessed that the Savior of the world made His appearance.

The great prophet Isaiah recounts a glimmer of hope. It was a startling new shoot on the tree of Jesse: small, insignificant, yet open to a greater mystery. A Child is born for us. A Son is given to us, and in that little child lies the hope of humanity. Every child bears some image - spark of the divine - that we want so desperately to cherish and have before us. In every man, woman, or child, there's a glimmer of life that has so much hope, even today. 

Once again, with all people of goodwill from all nationalities, cultures, and walks of life, we call out for peace and goodwill. May peace reign with Christ, Who is at the heart of it all. In the Child, born in Bethlehem and placed in a manger, lies the hopes and dreams of all the world.

One day, I pray, we can all seek the way of peace and goodwill together, which begins with each one of us. Again, Merry Christmas to you and your family, and all glory to God.