From Bethlehem, from the Grotto and from the Nativity Basilica, in this Holy Night, we Friars Minor of St. Francis, guardians of this Holy Site, united with our local christian brethren and the pilgrims who came from all around the world, would like send forth our announcement and good wishes for a Happy Christmas.
We send them forth to all men and women of the world, particularly to those who are experiencing poverty, physical or spiritual sufferings, oppression.
We send them forth to all our brothers and sisters in faith, to all who beleive in God and to all men of "goodwill".
To all we send our announcement and greetings.
Christmas! is above all an announcement, the announcement of that which we Christians beleive to be the most important and beneficent event in all human history!
Christmas! is the announcement of the birth of the man-God.
Christmas! is the announcement that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who became man in order that man con become the son and heir of God.
Christmas! is the announcement of the birth of the Light of the world; of the only light which can make us understand the sense and orientation of our life and that can tear us away from the darkness of violence and egoism.
Christmas! is the good omen especially addressed to us beleivers who are preparing to truly celebrate the Christmas of Jesus Christ and not a Christmas created to our measure and by our means.
Christmas is not ours. It is God who makes the Christmas of His Son for us.
Christmas! is the wish that each and every member of the human race feels the desire to be saved, recognises the darkness in which we live and frees himself from the prejudice that only we exist and that only what we do counts.
To all a Happy Christmas of peace and fraternity from the depth of our hearts.
Fr. Giuseppe Nazzaro ofm
Custos of the Holy Land