Dear all!

The Christmas days are full of longing: festive atmosphere, peaceful times,
happy encounters, solemn church services and harmonious festive events.
Some things come true – many things will disappoint, scare and frighten us at
Christmas. – Christmas occurs in the face of constraints, worries,
disappointments, threats! Can we celebrate Christmas with a clear conscience?
Shouldn't we skip it? – No! All of this already occurs in the Christmas story
surrounding the birth of Jesus!
Constraints – Joseph and Mary are forced to register, according to imperial
regulations.
Worries – Traveling during pregnancy and the impending birth are worrying.
Disappointments – There is no room in the hostel in the home town of
Bethlehem. All they have left for the birth of Jesus is shelter in a stable.
Threats – Baby Jesus’ life is ultimately in danger. For King Herod, this young
creature has no dignity – he wants it killed. Joseph and Mary, along with the
infant Jesus, become refugees due to this threat.
God becomes human under these difficult circumstances. Nevertheless, no wrath
of God, no revenge, no reproaches, but the birth message of the angels is: Glory
to God in the highest and peace to those on earth who are of good will.
God is not neutral, but rather takes the side of the disadvantaged. Jesus Christ,
Son of God, proclaims and lives this love of God, this peace between God and
us humans.
This is not a ready-made peace package, but rather a growing peace: between
man and man, between man and creation, between man and his Creator God.
Peace is not about unity, but about harmony. And this does not arise from
monotony, but rather from the harmony of different tones by acknowledging
each other’s differences. Recognize and preserve the dignity of everyone –
really every human being.
Don’t give up despite slow growth – strengthen resilience:
Resilient people don't bury their heads in the sand.
Resilience is the ability to thrive even when things are difficult.
(Prof.DDDr. Clemens Sedmak)
Looking at the plight and emergency situation of so many fellow human beings,
do not turn away and assume three obligations from it:
(St. Pope Paul VI): Duty of solidarity + Duty of social justice + Duty of love for
all.

This presence of God, in the Son of God Jesus and his living spirit, is a real
reason to celebrate – the Christmas days with many traditional traditions in our
families and our culture. May the peace of the Son of God Jesus Christ fill your
hearts and accompany you into the new calendar year 2024.
Pax et bonum!

Andreas Maria Jakober,

Parish Priest and Ecclesiastical Assistant for UNUM OMNES

Austria, St. Johann im Pongau