"Let us go to Bethlehem and see what this word has done and what the Lord has made known to us." (Lk 2:15)

Dear fellow priests, dear consecrated persons, beloved people of God,

The synodal path has been initiated for some time, meant to strengthen that fraternal bond which makes us all "one heart and one soul" (Acts 4:32).
The ultimate goal of this synodal path is not only the preparation for the Synod of Bishops in October 2023, but also the deepening of the communion between us and ours God. And to achieve this goal, we are urged by Pope Francis to go together. Now, near the Feast of the Nativity, I would like to urge each of us again to walk together — as the pastors urge us — “to Bethlehem,” for there “the Word was made flesh to dwell among us” (cf. In 1:14). By going there themselves, these pastors become for us models of communion, participation and mission, in accordance with the three themes of the synodal path. Communion, because in Bethlehem they go together; participation and mission because, "when they saw him, they made known to him the word which had been spoken to them about this child" (Lk 2:17).

So let us let these pastors be masters of our synodality, especially today, when many of us risk falling into the danger of selfishness and individualism because of the difficult and unique situation we are going through. Let us, in our turn, become masters of synodality, having as a point of reference the Infant of Bethlehem, this God made man, and let us cling to him, because, as St. Augustine says very eloquently, "It simply came to our notice then
another hope for everlasting life. ”

Let us go to Bethlehem together, but not in any way, but full of hope, knowing that "a light shone on those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death" (Is 9: 2), and this light is Jesus himself (cf. Jn 8: 12). Living in these times of pandemic, we have the impression that we are like those who live "in the land of death", in the darkness of insecurity and fear for tomorrow, for their own health and that of those around them. But the event of the Nativity of the Savior is the opportune time to renew our hope. That is why I urge you to be renewed by the incarnation of the Son of God, by his coming among us as Emmanuel - God-with-us - in order to be truly new creatures in Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:17), passing from fear to joy, from despair to hope, from darkness to light, as the holy bishop of Hippo urges us again: "You are weak, you long, the disease oppresses you ... Hope in God, he is the doctor".

And if we walk together on the synodal path, to the extent that we realize that we are all brothers and sisters, children of God, we will experience that holy, supernatural joy that is the fruit of theological virtues — faith, hope. and love - a joy that surpasses any other temporary satisfaction with local traditions and customs. Only this joy will remain in our souls and bear fruit; all the others will pass away and may even leave bitterness in our hearts.

I invite you, dear Christians, to be like all pastors, to proclaim to all that Christ has come among us to make us all children of God. Contemplating the helpless Infant lying in the manger, totally dependent on Mary and Joseph, let us remember that there are people whose joy depends on our goodwill and kindness. Therefore, let us imitate the gesture of the Magi, who "opened their treasures and gave them gifts" (Mt 2:11), because, as St. John Chrysostom says, "no one is so poor as to he has nothing to offer. "

In the spirit of our synodality and communion, in the joy of the Lord who is being born, I wish you all a Christmas full of the light of hope, the fragrance of goodness and the unity of faith.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

† Anton Coșa
Bishop of Chisinau