CHRIST IS THE LIGHT THAT CAN CHANGE THE HUMAN HEART

VATICAN CITY, DEC 18, 1999 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received a group of pilgrims from the Czech Republic, led by President Vaclav Havel. It is his government that this year has donated the Christmas tree that adorns St. Peter's Square.

Apart from the fir tree, that comes from the mountain of Beskydy in the region of Ostrava-Opava, "you have wished to offer other smaller fir trees," said the Holy Father, "which will be placed in various places in the Apostolic Palace and the Curia. ... Furthermore, you have brought three statues, dressed in the traditional costume of Valassko, which have been placed next to those customarily used in the nativity scene in St. Peter's Square.

"The Christmas tree together with the nativity scene creates the typical Christmas atmosphere and can help us to better understand the message of salvation that Christ brought to us with His incarnation. From the manger in Bethlehem to the Cross of Golgotha, He gave witness with His whole life to God's love for man. He is, in the words of John the Evangelist, 'the true light that enlightens every man'."

The Pope concluded: "As a symbol of this light, the lights on the tree shine at Christmas to reinforce our awareness of the great mystery: Present in Christ is the light that can change the heart of man."

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