Once again, we stand before the manger in Bethlehem and gaze upon the mystery of God made flesh. The Gospel of Luke tells us how, in the silence of the night, heaven touched the earth. A child was born, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. To the eyes of the world, it was an ordinary birth, unnoticed and poor. Yet for those who believe, it is the dawn of salvation and the beginning of a new creation.

The angels’ song—“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth”—echoes through the centuries. It reminds us that true peace does not come from power or wealth, but from recognizing and welcoming the presence of God among us. Christ is our peace. He comes to heal what is broken, to forgive what is wounded, and to unite what is divided.

In our time, we continue to see shadows of fear, conflict, and indifference. But Christmas invites us to look beyond them. The Child of Bethlehem tells us that light is stronger than darkness, love greater than hatred, and hope deeper than despair. Every time we open our hearts to others—especially the poor, the lonely, and the forgotten—the miracle of Christmas happens again.

Let this holy season renew in us the courage to be bearers of peace and instruments of God’s love. May our families be filled with tenderness, our communities with compassion, and our world with renewed hope.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, may we all echo the song of the angels:
“Glory to God in the highest!”

A blessed and joyful Christmas to all.

From the Priests of the Sacred Heart in the Philippines