Christians all over the world believe that the unseen God took human form in Jesus and was born as a frail babe at Bethlehem, two thousand years ago. And Christmas commemorates that great event, every year. The Feast of Christmas is a universal invitation to humankind: an invitation to fraternity and friendship, to unity and peace and, above all, to make space for God in our life and society. This is actually God’s dream for the humankind he created. By taking flesh, God identified himself with humans and, in so doing, he demands that we should recognize him in every other human being, regardless of creed, colour or social condition. When we do this, we create a space for God in our daily life and we become the leaven of a new society, wherein everyone is welcomed, accepted and loved; we can then join hands with one another and work together to re-create our world into a place where justice, peace, understanding and forgiveness shine out. May this Christmas find us more involved in the realization of our God’s dream.

I take this opportunity to convey my warm greetings and Christmas wishes to the people in Goa and to everyone who reads this message.

Archbishop’s House, Panjim, Goa, December 24, 2010.

+ Filipe Neri Ferrão

Archbishop of Goa and Daman