Dec
25
Patriarch: Holy-Land Christians Should Stay Put
December 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Says They Have Vocation to Be Where Jesus Lived
The patriarch of Jerusalem says Christians in the Holy Land have a vocation to live in the land of Jesus, and not elsewhere in the world.Archbishop Michel Sabbah affirmed this at Christmas Midnight Mass, telling Christians pressured to leave the Middle East to “listen to the voice [...]
Dec
25
Christmas Requires Humility of Us, Says Pope
December 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Today a great light and hope entered the world, but humility is needed in order to see and accept it, said Benedict XVI in his traditional Christmas message.The Pope affirmed this today from the central balcony at St. Peter’s. He gave a Christmas greeting in 63 languages then gave his blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the [...]
Dec
25
Jerusalem Patriarch’s Midnight Mass Homily
December 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Here is the text of the Christmas Midnight Mass homily of Archbishop Michel Sabbah, patriarch of Jerusalem. The translation was provided by the patriarchate.* * *
Christmas Homily 2007
Brothers and Sisters,
I wish you all a Blessed Christmas.
Mr. President,
1. This holy night, we pray for you, for your difficult task, for the security and unity of the [...]
Dec
25
Benedict XVI’s Christmas Message
December 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Here is a Vatican translation of Benedict XVI’s Christmas message, which he delivered from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica today at noon.* * *
“A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come you nations and adore the Lord.
Today a great light has come upon the earth.”
(Day Mass of Christmas, Gospel Acclamation)
Dear Brothers and Sisters! “A [...]
Dec
25
The Weight of a Snowflake
December 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
“Tell me the weight of a snowflake,” a coalmouse asked a wild dove.
“Nothing more than nothing,” the dove answered.
“In that case I must tell you a marvelous story,” the coalmouse said. “I sat on a fir branch close to the trunk when it began to snow. Not heavily, not in a raging blizzard. [...]



