Diocesan News19 Dec 08

Joint Christmas Message from the Bishops of Cork

Christmas, 2008

Our celebrations of Christmas come this year in the midst of a difficult time for many people.  There have been many expressions of concern about the economic outlook and commercial life in our society, including here in Cork.

We encourage everyone, as a first priority, to celebrate a simple Christmas – a Christmas which concentrates on the Christmas good news of the birth of Jesus Christ the light of the world, a light that no darkness can overcome. 

As Jesus Christ himself lived among us as a sign of God’s presence and solidarity with humanity, we encourage everyone to show practical and generous solidarity with those for whom Christmas brings hardship and anxiety.  These are times when we need to discover afresh the value of community life, of friendship and of support towards each other.

We wish you all every blessing of joy, peace and hope this Christmas and throughout the New Year.