"At Christmas, it is from this torn and troubled Holy Land that a message of hope is echoed, a message that can renew the world" especially today that our society "is afflicted by economic troubles. We must go to Bethlehem to find an answer to the problems that are tearing our soul." This is the Christmas message released today by Holy Land Guardian Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa. "Suddenly we are all menaced by a wind of insecurity which is shaking every illusion of self-sufficiency. The materialistic society discovers its weaknesses in dismay. Everyone can find themselves in the situation of being and becoming poor. But this is only the visible sign of the deeper poverty afflicting the soul," said the guardian. "The hardness of our history has made us put an iron armour on our hearts to choke our life. But how can we ignore the news that God has entered the world? The event that is changing history has been announced even to us." For this reason, said Father Pizzaballa, "we know we are not the only ones to look for the Child" this Christmas. "With us, there will be many pilgrims that will join us in our celebrations with the Christians of Bethlehem and the Holy Land. I am sure a countless crowd of invisible pilgrims will join our journey to find true joy. Come to Bethlehem, there is still hope for everyone."
