Archbishop of Sydney

Christmas Message 2002

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
24 December 2002

There are clouds of unease on the horizon as we celebrate Christmas early in this third Christian millennium. The memory of September 11th has been etched more deeply into our consciousness by our own tragedy at Bali on October 12th this year.

We have the continuing threat of terrorist attacks around the Free World, perhaps even in our own country, and the high probability of war in Iraq in the new year with all its unpredictable consequences. Murderous violence continues in the Middle East.

These clouds cast disturbing shadows as we celebrate the fact that God visited us in the birth of Jesus Christ, his Son at Bethlehem just over two thousand years ago. He was newborn in a stable, poor and powerless. He was soon to be a political refugee.

We also thank God for another type of cloud, still dark and low, which brought us the benefit of heavy rain over much of the state. It quenched the bushfires and might be the beginning of the end of the drought. We continue to pray for rain especially out in the west. We pray for the victims of bushfires and drought.

God is always with us his people, especially in our trials and difficulties. Sometimes it is only when a blessing, like rain, is long delayed that we realise how many good things we take for granted in Australia.

We pray for peace and justice, as we pray for an end to the violence. We pray to the Christ Child at this time for all who are sick, suffering or anxious. May the spirit of peace rest on them.

We pray that our society will not be tested beyond its strength, so that whatever trials we need to confront will produce among us only strength, compassion, solidarity and not lead us to ill will or despondency.

Dark clouds too have a silver lining and dark clouds can also beget life and development.