King’s Christmas message of peace, happiness and everlasting light
In his first Christmas message, King Charles referenced the birth of Jesus as the moment when light came into the world, drawing out the meaning as something shared across religious traditions: “While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief.
“So, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future”
He paid tribute to people who help those in greatest need, the nurses, care workers, emergency staff and volunteers. And he urged the public to find hope in a time of great anxiety and hardship, as people struggle to pay their bills and keep their families fed and warm in the cost of living crisis.
“Our churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and gurdwaras, have once again united in feeding the hungry, providing love and support throughout the year. Such heartfelt solidarity is the most inspiring expression of loving our neighbour as our self”.
He said the essence of community and the foundation of our society was his belief, shared with his mother, that each person has an extraordinary ability to touch with goodness and compassion the lives of others, shining a light to the world.
The full speech is in the Mirror here
Archbishop says darkness seemed to overcome the world in 2022
In his Christmas morning sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, also picked up the theme of light, saying that this year darkness has often seemed to overcome the world.
He cited the suffering yet courageous people of Ukraine, people in the UK who are cold and hungry as the cost of living crisis causes immense anxiety and hardship, the desperate struggles of hospital wards and people who make perilous journeys in small boats.
But he said people who follow Jesus Christ become the source of God’s light and life, bringing hope and freedom to the world.
Pope urges end to war in Ukraine
In his Christmas message, Pope Francis said the world is suffering from a famine of peace.
In his traditional Christmas Day Urbi et Orbi message to the city and the world, delivered from the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Pope called for an end to the war in Ukraine, saying people should see the faces of people whose country has been devastated by 10 months of war:
“May the Lord inspire us to offer concrete gestures of solidarity to assist all those who are suffering, and may he enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war.”
The Pope urged people to look beyond the shallow holiday glitter and help the homeless, immigrants, refugees and the poor seeking comfort, warmth and food.
