His Excellency Msgr. Mario Grech.

Bishop of Gozo

Christmas Message

December – 2006

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Bethlehem.

When I entered the hotel, it was one in the morning. I was weary because of traveling, yet as I went to the wide window of my room overlooking a valley the scene of Bethlehem at that particular moment was really astounding. Then, I did not know in which direction the Basilica of the Nativity was situated, but still I felt that I was standing on a sacred ground for years ago Jesus Christ was born in this particular area. I have to admit that even though this was not the first time that I was visiting the city of David, I still experienced a deep sense of awe! I felt that I had to kneel and adore the great mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God when God became man so that man might become like God!

My short stay in Bethlehem revealed to me that although this city was blessed with the birth of Jesus Christ, the Bethlehemites are still deprived of fruits that the birth of Jesus had promised to humanity.

In view of the approaching feast of Christmas, allow me to invite you to slow the pace of everyday life and give a glimpse at , Bethlehem , perhaps by admiring a crib! This may provide you with the same spiritual feeling I experienced when I was in Bethlehem!

In Bethlehem I visited the grotto where the Word of God was made flesh. There, I realized that by his incarnation Jesus took the human word to convey to us God's word. I have the feeling that today there is a need to strive more in our daily life so that God would continue to convey his redeeming message to our brethren through our own words.

This is the message I wish to share with you in this Holy Festive Season.

A Blessed Christmas to you all.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Victoria – Gozo

Bishop Mons Mario Grech

Let's welcome the light of Christ

In his Christmas and New Year message, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said the crib of Bethlehem reminded him of a school where the boy Jesus grew in wisdom and grace.

"I pray," the bishop said, "that the light shed by Christ will enlighten our conscience... so that we will arrive at the right decisions."

Apart from the individual conscience, there is the conscience of the family, the conscience of society and the conscience of the state.

The bishop said he prayed for the family so that "each family will throw its windows and doors wide open" welcoming the light of Christ.

"I am not thinking only," Mgr Grech said, "of established families, but also of those families that for some reason or other cannot be together to enjoy the happiness of Christmas. Families hit by mourning, or sickness, and where harmony reigns no more.

"I pray that the light of Christ will also shine on our schools... this applies also for the seminary and for the homes where young people are prepared for a religious life."

Bishop Grech called on families to take on the cause of vocations for the priesthood and make it their own. And that together "we pray so that God will send more workers to toil in his field because while the crop is abundant the tillers are few, even in the local Church".