Dear friends,

I begin this Christmas message today by recalling that we are still in the midst of a pandemic. Many of us could never have imagined that two Christmas seasons would be impacted by the COVID19 virus. I know many of us are tired, overwhelmed, grieving. It has not been an easy time. For the many who are suffering, we pray and stand in solidarity and charity. As part of the Church, it is clear to us: Caritas, love that becomes action, does not go into lockdown. We have to continue to be there for the people. Especially now. To see need, and act. We remember especially all our staff, Caritas workers, professionals and volunteers, and I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to you all now for the work you do. You are witnesses to the resurrection, to the light that breaks into the darkness. We thank, also, the health care professionals around Europe, and the world, working tirelessly in the midst of extremely challenging conditions.

However, as Caritas, inspired by the Gospel message, I think that right now we should foster hope, solidarity and optimism. The Christmas story is a story of hope. We remember with gratitude that God has completely engaged with this world, that he has become human for us; not in the palaces of power, not in the spiritual or secular centre, but on the margins: fragile, in the form of a child in a crib. Just as God reaches out to us in the person of Jesus, we reach out to the poor. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, in his message on the 50th anniversary of Caritas Italiana/Italy emphasised this call to be among the most fragile and defenceless. As he says 'Charity is the mercy that goes in search of the weakest, that goes to the most difficult frontiers to free people from the slavery that oppresses them and to make them agents of their own lives.'

As a Caritas network, this is our mission and we draw our hope and our inspiration from that tiny infant laid in a manger - God with us.

As a group of elderly men and women told me recently regarding the pandemic. 'We have already seen and survived so much; We will manage that, too'. I would like to share this optimism resulting from experience. Experience shows us - especially now, in a challenging situation: We have the opportunity, the courage, the imagination, to shape the present and the future well.

We will emerge different from this pandemic, that's right. But whether for the better or for the worse, that is up to us. Each and every one of us can make a difference. This is a central experience of Caritas work.

Let us ask the Lord for a listening heart and for an alert, happy spirit and understanding, so that we can go our way full of joy and fulfill our mission - listening to people in need, where we are, where God has put us.

I wish you all a blessed, and safe Christmas.

Amen.

Msgr. Michael Landau
President

Watch the video message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJCt_rPHiJM&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=CaritasEuropa