[Scene video+] At this time, Myeongdong Cathedral...Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek's Christmas message.

[Anchor]

Now mass and worship are continuing in Catholic churches and churches across the country to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The Mass is also being held at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul.

Let's go to the scene.

[Peter Jeong Sun-taek / Archbishop]
Jesus, glory to God in the highest places, peace to those who like him in the earth. On a quiet and holy night, Jesus is born in a shabby stable. The Son, the Almighty God, empties you entirely and lowers you infinitely, and comes to us in the form of the poorest and weakest baby among us. As we meditate on this love and mercy, we think deeply about how that love should bear fruit in our lives and in the world.

This year we are spending the end of the year in greater chaos and conflict than ever before. The news of unrest and division amid sudden political instability saddens us and weighs heavily on our minds. Many people with a good conscience long for justice and truth and speak out, but sometimes they feel like their cries are turned away.

In this reality, we cannot help but ask what path we should take as Christians. Even in the political whirlwind, the Christmas of baby Jesus came to us. As the Creator looks at this mystery that has come by our side in the form of a weak human being, Baby Jesus shows that what we truly need and important is 'a warm human being that respects each other'. In the midst of anxiety, different perspectives, and confrontations between different solutions, Christmas tells us that it is the people who matter after all.

Pope Francis also expressed this in the joy of the gospel by saying, "Time is greater than space." Rather than monopolizing the space of power, it is important to start anew for human beings to care for each other and grow.

Jesus said that those who make peace are happy. But true peace is not just a state of conflict, but something that is possible when justice and love are realized. In order to restore our country's proud democracy, it is important to work together toward the happiness and common good of the people in accordance with democratic and constitutional procedures despite various confusing and hopeless situations. Although our society is in fear and anxiety, at times like this, we must continue to strive to establish a just order, not a specific individual or group. Peace is not given by itself, but we create it together.

The church is always with the weak and the suffering and is trying to listen to their voices. Even in the reality we are in now, the church has a calling to speak out for justice and peace. But the church's voice is not meant to promote division and confrontation, but to achieve reconciliation and unity. I hope everyone can join forces to become a society where human dignity is respected as a child of God.

I hope that we will all go through this turbulence wisely with a 'warm human respect posture' in which we listen to each other and gather wisdom for the common good while respecting others with different thoughts and opinions. That would be how we rejoice and celebrate the birth of Jesus, who came to us in the form of a young life on this earth.

Therefore, I recall that Christmas is a time of 'hope' again. This is because the appearance of baby Jesus lying in the old oil shows us the possibility of a new beginning. No matter how dark the night is, the dawn will surely come. Looking at the humble and humble appearance of baby Jesus, I desperately hope that we will be able to discover the "light of hope" even in the difficulties we face now. Also, I sincerely hope that we can pray for each other, be supportive to each other, and be a community that feels a warm body temperature.

Thus, I hope that true peace and hope will be filled with the warm humanity in our hearts. I pray that the blessings of such a baby Jesus will fill you and your household.