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Christmas Message 2010

The angel said: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people”(Lk 2:10).

The feast of the birth of Christ in the flesh brings joy and happiness to the faithful. He was born as are all people born, he lived the way they live in their world, except for the sin, but he died on the cross to atone for the sins of all people. He came to teach us how to live together in solidarity, love and mutual support. He has been , for two thousand years, saying “love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34).

He gave us an unforgettable lesson in humility when he washed his disciples’ feet (Jn 13:5) and said “If I, therefore, the master and teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet” (Jn 13:14). He went to the end in his sacrifices. He accepted to be hanged on the cross like a criminal, out of love for us, he the absolute innocence. His love for us has cost him the last drop of his bloodshed on the cross.

His birth is a cause of joy to us as the angel said to the shepherds: “And this will be a sign for you; you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes andlying in a manger” (Lk 2:12) .

 Dear brothers, daughters and sons ,

It is in the nature of the feast to give joy to the faithfuls’ hearts . But the feast this year, like in past years, though it brings joy, it does not discard from them the feeling of worry about their homeland and their destiny. They are divided among themselves, some bear allegiance to the East, others to the West. This has for consequence to cause estrangement among them. Their love and sacrifices for their homeland must unite them. Homelands don’t rise but by the sacrifices of their sons and daughters.

Each of us wants to conceive a homeland to one’s size and run its affairs without the other citizens unless they are of his political belief. It is a big mistake. The homeland has enough room for all its citizens, whatever their origin or belief is, on condition they bear allegiance to it alone and to no one else. There is no partnership in allegiance to the homeland. Although there are relations of friendship and interests among the homeland and foreign countries, nevertheless this is far away from loyalty. There is no partnership in loyalty to the homeland.

God has given us a beautiful homeland. Though small, it enjoys all climates. It is deeply rooted in history, it is enough to be the land of prophets and saints. This alone is sufficient to incite us to love it, sacrifice for it and raise it high.

While congratulating you on the occasion of this feast, we ask God Almighty to make it a source of joy and happiness for each one of you. We ask Him Almighty to protect Lebanon and its citizens, keep them well and in good health. We wish you many happy returns full of blessings.

Bkerke, 24 December 2010.

His Beatitude Nasrallah Peter Cardinal Sfeir
Patriarch of Antioch and All the East

(Reprinted with permission.)