The reason for that joy lies in the fact of anticipation and hope.
“Children wait and live in hope to see if they will receive the gifts they were looking for. For most adults, it will be an opportunity to enjoy free time, visiting family and friends, and family togetherness. Even those who are not Christians or are only ‘occasional’ Christians , will also find a reason to celebrate,” reads the joint congratulatory message of the Archbishop of Vrhbosna and the Metropolitan, Apostolic Administrator and Military Ordinary Toma Vukšić, Bishop of Banulići Petar Majić, which was read by Bishop Palić of Mostar.
For days and years, the media has been filled with news, pictures and reports about the war in the Holy Land and Ukraine, the arrival of migrants, the unstable economic situation, which, as stated, represents very real challenges for many people in our dioceses, our country and in the world in general .
Bishop Palić stated that to these numerous expressions of violence and challenges should be added the endangerment of unborn life, as well as insufficient respect for human dignity at the end of life.
Seen through human eyes in a world that is currently a dark place, Bishop Palić states that “we can reasonably ask ourselves what is there to celebrate”, saying that “we celebrate Christmas because God has heard the cry of every vulnerable heart, which longs for redemption”.
“Christmas exists because Mary in deep obedience accepted God’s will in the midst of the real world in gloomy uncertainty. We celebrate Christmas because in the silence of the night in a humble manger God accepted our humanity in Jesus of Nazareth and made that human cry his own, eloquently convincing us to listen to his a promise to stay with us on the road to reconciliation in relations, in the hope of restored dignity and fullness of life,” they said bishops.
Palić pointed out that their Christmas liturgies are imbued with “light” and “hope”, and that they will pray to God that “the light of God’s incarnate Word shines in our lives” and remind themselves that God sent his Son to dispel the darkness of the night. the firstborn before all creation, the light of the world.
“Light is comforting and soothing. It guides us on the right path. It enlightens us and helps us see more clearly. Often in the dark it is difficult to see the good that is happening around us. But this good happens every day: in our parishes, our families, schools and hospitals, workplaces, charitable institutions and other communities. We are all blessed with that generosity of spirit,” said the Bishop of Mostar.
He pointed out that even this Christmas we should give thanks for God’s incarnation on earth.
“We pray that we all come to Christ, the light of the world. We pray that his light strengthens our hope, lights the way to a better future and enlightens people all over the world. We pray that all people, in their homes and parishes, in war-torn places, wherever there is pain, anxiety and restlessness, realize and experience the peace of Christ, the greatest gift that each of us can hope for this and every Christmas,” said Palić.
Bishop of Mostar-Duvanj, apostolic administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan, Petar Palić, congratulated all people of good will on Christmas and wished them a happy new year filled with new blessings of God’s goodness.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
