Cardinal Sako has celebrated Christmas Mass in St. Joseph Cathedral; in Baghdad in presence of Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad A-Soudani , Amar Al-Hakim and other Muslim  officials.

Following is the text of his homily:

The Good News of Christmas: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace” 

The great miracle of God is Jesus’ birth, by which we are born by the same God, our Creator and our Father.

The good news of Christmas is the revelation of the fatherhood of God, who calls us to reconcile ourselves with Him and with others, and to walk towards them with open and sincere hearts, imitating Christ in love and care for others.

Our celebration of Christ’s birth of Christ helps us to recall His message and to reflect on it carefully.  In this way, we discover its true meaning so that it may be a support us in our daily lives, especially in difficult times, filling our hearts with hope, particularly since the occasion of Christmas this year prefaces the Holy Jubileeor our lives in difficult times, and give our hearts hope, especially since the occasion of Christmas brings us into the opening of the Holy Jubilee Year, when as pilgrims of hope we may be more humane and honest.

Christ’s birth offers us the possibility of a new birth within ourselves, in light, love, and truth, because the truth dwells within us, as Saint Augustine tells us (The True Religion 39/72). This is precisely the meaning of our celebration of Christmas.

Isaac of Qatar, also known to us as Bishop of Nineveh (7th century)tells us:  Christmas Eve brings peace to mankind so that they one can be hurt.

Christ, our Light, teaches us to walk in the light of God: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness” (John 8:12). We kindle this light through prayer: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Those who believe in Him and hope in him walk tirelessly in His light.

We must try deepen this awareness with constant wakefulness and a continuous effort to become true believers in embodying fraternal love with open-heartedness, freedom and generosity.

Each of us has experienced painful moments in our lives, but that is not the end because Christmas gives us Christ’s hope to begin a new journey.

Being born again is the way to enter the circle of divine life and by this journey to be in Jesus, with Him in us, and through Him to be one with God. Jesus is the door through which we enter into true life: “I am the door; whoever enters by me will be saved.” (John 1:9)

Christ’s birth requires of us a free, responsible personal choice and commitment. So, we must listen to the wonderful words of Jesus in the Gospel, meditate on them, discover their meaning and respond to them generously: thereby we will live in peace and harmony. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Him, especially in difficult times so that Christ may give our hearts the strength to move forward, freely and with no hesitation.

Let us ponder in our hearts the words of the Christmas hymn with which we began our Mass.  It offers us a clear way to live the message of Christmas and to live as sisters and brothers in a new and authentic way, in utmost joy and happiness:

On Christmas Eve, hatred is wiped out *War is buried *The earth blossoms *Love sprouts…

When we give a thirsty person a cup of water, when we clothe the naked with a garment of love, when we dry the tears from the eyes, when we fill our hearts with hope, we are truly celebrating Christmas.

When I accept my companion as they are without deceit, when the spirit of revenge dies in me, when coldness disappears from my heart, when my soul dissolves in the being of God, I am truly celebrating Christmas. 

Our world, exhausted by wars and conflicts, needs a new birth. What is happening in the region has created a state of fear and anxiety among people, but we should still have hope. The message of peace on Christmas Day is clear: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace.” This is a sign of great hope for the future of humanity. Let us think about it carefully and use money on projects that serve people instead of spending it on manufacturing weapons to kill people. Religious platforms were created to pray and direct people towards fraternity, peace, and the service of love and mercy. 

As for the Iraqis: Iraq is in a difficult situation due to the regional and international changes that have created a new situation in the region, so we call on everyone to shoulder their national and historical responsibilities, and work to solve the problems themselves, and not let others interfere in their affairs.

They must return to their Iraqi national identity, with full citizenship, true reconciliation and positive participation in all social, cultural, economic and political fields for the common good of all .

They must return to the Nation State, the state of law and justice, a state that achieves the aspirations of its people and considers the religious and national diversity of society.

This reform will encourage our fellow countrymen who are émigrés to return to their country and contribute their skills to its construction and prosperity.

We ask God for safety and security for all.

Merry Christmas and a new year different from the years that have passed, and may you, Iraq and the world be well.