Register Summary

Pope John Paul II met with 7,000 pilgrims in the Paul VI Hall on Dec. 17 for his last general audience of the year. He shared his reflections on the season of Advent as Christians everywhere awaited the coming of Christ.

The Holy Father characterized Advent as “a powerful proclamation of hope, which deeply touches our lives, both personally and as a community.” He said people everywhere yearn for a world with greater justice and unity. Unfortunately, this often is not the case.

“Various kinds of obstacles, disagreements and difficulties burden our life and, at times, almost crush it,” he noted. Yet the mystery of Christmas assures us that God is with us, he said. “For this reason, we must never feel alone. He is near to us, and he became one of us by being born in the womb of the Virgin Mary. He shared our pilgrimage on earth, thereby assuring us that we will attain the peace and joy to which we aspire from the depths of our being.”

“The meaning of Christian hope, of which Advent is a reminder,” the Pope said, “is one of confident expectation, active availability and joyful openness to an encounter with the Lord. He came to Bethlehem to remain with us forever.”

“Believe me, the Kingdom of God is at hand; your Savior will not delay his coming.” These words, taken from today'd liturgy, express the climate of our eager yet prayerful preparation for celebrating Christmas, which is now close at hand.

Advent keeps alive our anticipation of Christ, who will visit us with his salvation and bring to fulfillment his Kingdom of justice and peace. The remembrance every year of the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem renews in the hearts of believers the certainty that God is faithful to his promises. Advent is, therefore, a powerful proclamation of hope, which deeply touches our lives, both personally and as a community.

God With Us

Everyone dreams about a world that is more just and united, where suitable living conditions and peaceful coexistence make for more harmonious relationships among individuals and peoples. Often, however, this is not the case. Various kinds of obstacles, disagreements and difficulties burden our life and, at times, almost crush it. The strength and courage of our commitment to do good are in danger of yielding to evil, which, at times, seems to have the upper hand. It is especially during these moments that hope comes to our assistance. The mystery of Christmas, which we will relive in a few days, assures us that God is Emmanuel — God-with-us. For this reason, we must never feel alone. He is near to us, and he became one of us by being born in the womb of the Virgin Mary. He shared our pilgrimage on earth, thereby assuring us that we will attain the peace and joy to which we aspire from the depths of our being.

A Broader Vision

This Advent season highlights a second element of hope, which concerns the meaning and value of life in a more general way. We often ask ourselves: Who are we? Where are we going? What is the meaning of what we do on earth? What awaits us after death?

There are goals that are undoubtedly good and honest: the search for improved material well-being; the pursuit of ever more advanced social, scientific and economic achievements; and a better fulfillment of our personal expectations and our expectations as a community. But are these goals sufficient to satisfy the deepest aspirations of our hearts?

Today'd liturgy invites us to broaden our vision and to contemplate the wisdom of God, who comes from on high and is able to embrace the ends of the world, preparing everything “with gentleness and strength” (see the respon-sorial antiphon).

May a spontaneous cry spring then from the Christian people: “Come, Lord, do not delay.”

With Us Forever

Finally, it is worth highlighting a third characteristic element of Christian hope, which the season of Advent clearly points out. Advent, and especially Christmas, are a reminder to man — who rises above the events of each day to seek communion with God — that God is the one who took the initiative to come to us. By becoming a baby, Jesus took on our nature and established his covenant with all mankind forever.

We can conclude, therefore, that the meaning of Christian hope, of which Advent is a reminder, is one of confident expectation, active availability and joyful openness to an encounter with the Lord. He came to Bethlehem to remain with us forever.

So, dear brothers and sisters, let us nourish these days of immediate preparation for the birth of Christ with the light and warmth of hope. This is my wish for you here present and for your loved ones. I entrust you to the motherly intercession of Mary, who is the model and support for our hope.

Happy Advent and merry Christmas to you all!

(Register translation)