Have faith this Christmas, Tagle tells Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - Amid all the challenges, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle yesterday urged the public to “have faith this Christmas.”

In his Christmas message sent out to churches and parishes under the archdiocese, Tagle said, “In a real sense, Christmas is all about faith. To remove faith from Christmas is to empty it of its meaning. It is a season born of faith and a privileged time to renew our faith.”

“Faith is a living and sustained relationship with God. It is the Triune God who initiates this relationship by coming to us. Faith becomes complete in our response to God in trust and love, transforming our relationship with other people, society and creation,” Tagle said.

The Catholic Church is observing the Year of Faith, as declared by Pope Benedict XVI.

Tagle said it is during the Christmas season when
Christendom remembers the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ, who is born like a human being but without sin.

“He opens the door for us to enter God’s life. His obedience and fidelity is the door to God. He is the way,” he said.

“Faith in God leads us to solidarity with our neighbors, especially the poor whom Jesus loves. Faith makes us sharers in Jesus’ saving mission and heralds of true freedom from all that enslaves us,” he said.

“I pray that all Christians may appreciate more the precious gift of faith during this Christmas season. As we behold the Christ Child, humble and poor, let us thank God for his great love for us and let us respond with all the love we could give. Only pure divine love can save us,” he added.