Benedict’s Christmas message

The Pope gave a powerful homily at the Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s. I was riveted listening to it, and it’s already making its way around the world’s media.

Pope Benedict ushered in Christmas at midnight mass on Monday, saying the image of the baby Jesus in a manger should remind everyone of the plight of poor, abused and neglected children the world over.

The focus on children, and the infant Jesus, is capturing attention. As Benedict, no doubt, intended.

“The child of Bethlehem directs our gaze toward all children, particularly those who suffer and are abused in the world, the born and the unborn,” the Pope said in his homily, making a reference to abortion.

“Toward children who are placed as soldiers in a violent world; toward children who have to beg; toward children who suffer deprivation and hunger; toward children who are unloved. In all of these it is the Child of Bethlehem who is crying out to us. It is the God who has become small who appeals to us.”

Just as the shepherds of Bethlehem were called by an angel to seek the child lying in the manger, modern man was called to listen to the message of the baby Jesus, the Pope said.

“Let us pray this night that the brightness of God’s love may enfold all these children. Let us ask God to help us do our part so that the dignity of children may be respected. May they all experience the light of love, which mankind needs so much more than the material necessities of life,” he said.