Following is the text of the Christmas message 2025 by Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem in the midst poverty. The angels announce great joy to the shepherds: “Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2)

For sure, we have all prepared the nativity scene and the Christmas tree in our houses, but above all, I hope you have had the opportunity to prepare your hearts for this great day.

This year, Christmas is truly exceptional because it is the Christmas of the Holy Year, the Christmas of the Jubilee of Hope.

Throughout this year, we have reflected on being the pilgrims of hope. Now we joyfully celebrate the foundation of that hope. Our hope is neither an idea, nor a human plan, nor a generic optimism or a calculation of probabilities regarding the future. Our Hope is a sweet presence, the presence of Christ, He is our hope!

If we reflect on our human experience, we realize that our hope fades when we are isolated, when we have no friends. Think of a child in a crowd suddenly misses the hand of the mother: he feels alone and lost. But as soon as he finds his mother, his heart is calmed, his hope is restored: the presence of the loved ones gives us strength.

How great, then our hope should be on this Christmas day, because God himself comes close to us. Jesus is God among us.

Finally, Jesus did not come two millennia ago and then disappeared. He does not stop coming among us, even today. When we gather in his name, he comes and remains among us, he comes to dwell within us.

Dear faithful, I invite you to stand strong with this hope, for he is the prince of peace. Please, offer a gesture of peace today within your families, exchange a sign of peace with a friend, an acquaintance and even with those with whom you may had some rough experience. Because today, Jesus, our hope, the prince of peace was born.

May this Christmas bring peace among the peoples in war and consolation to the afflicted.

May Mary, Mother of Hope, keep you all in peace. Merry Christmas!