In the Christmas epistle, it is stated that Christmas is one of the biggest holidays in the Christian calendar and probably the most eagerly awaited.
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 asked for. For most adults, it will be an opportunity to enjoy free time, visit family and friends, and family togetherness. Even those who are not Christians or are only “occasional” Christians, will also find a reason to celebrate.
– We celebrate Christmas because God heard the cry of every vulnerable heart that yearns for redemption. Christmas exists because Mary in deep obedience accepted God’s will in the midst of the real world in dreary 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 promise that he will stay with us on the way to reconciliation in relationships, in the hope of regained dignity and the fullness of life – say the bishops of BK BiH.
Therefore, as they state, our Christmas liturgies are imbued with “light” and “hope”. We will send a prayer to God that “the light of God’s incarnate Word shines in our lives as well” and remind ourselves that God sent his Son, the firstborn before all creation, the light of the world, to dispel the darkness of our night.
The bishops called on us to give thanks for God’s incarnation on earth this Christmas. We pray that we all come to Christ, the light of the world. We pray that his light will strengthen our hope, light the way to a better future and enlighten people around the world. We pray that all people, in their homes and parishes, in war-torn places, wherever there is pain, anxiety and unrest, will know and experience the peace of Christ, the greatest gift that each of us can hope for this and every Christmas.
– To all of you and your families, as well as to all people of good will, we wish Christmas joy and a happy New Year filled with new blessings of God’s goodness – it is stated in the Christmas message sent by the bishops of the BiH Bishops’ Conference.
Archbishop Vukšić also referred to the jubilee year 2025 and said that in the Catholic Church for centuries there is a long tradition of celebrating a jubilee year every 25 years, and it is always connected with the birth of Jesus.
Thus, this 2025 will be marked as a jubilee year throughout the Catholic Church. It has been so many years since the birth of Jesus, so it will be an opportunity for various spiritual celebrations, prayer gatherings, pilgrimages.
The jubilee year for the entire Church will be opened by Pope Francis on Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas, December 24.
And on December 29, in all cathedrals in the world, including Sarajevo, the jubilee year for the faithful of the diocese will be solemnly opened.
The jubilee will last throughout the entire calendar year. In all cathedrals in the world, it will be closed with solemn Holy Masses on December 28, and the Pope will conclude the jubilee year for the entire Church at a ceremony on January 6, 2026.
(Vijesti.ba / FENA)
