LEARN TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS FROM THE VIRGIN AND ST. JOSEPH

VATICAN CITY, DEC 23, 2001 (VIS) - At midday today John Paul II appeared at the window of his private study overlooking St. Peter's Square in order to pray the angelus.

The Pope affirmed that "in order to grasp the significance and the gift of grace of the Christmas celebrations that are almost upon us, we must learn from the Virgin and her husband Joseph whom we see in the nativity scene in rapt contemplation of the newborn Messiah."

Today's Gospel text, he emphasized, "highlights the role of Joseph who is described as a 'just' man. ... He is a man open to listening to God in prayer. From the angel he learned that 'that which is conceived (in Mary) is of the Holy Spirit."

"In conclusion," said the Holy Father, "Joseph may be defined as a true man of faith, like his wife Mary. Faith unites justice and prayer, and this is the most appropriate manner in which to meet the Emmanuel, the God-with-us. Belief means living in history while remaining open to God's initiative, to the creative power of His Word that was made flesh in Christ, uniting itself forever to our humanity. May the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph thus help us to celebrate the birth of the Redeemer fruitfully."
After the angelus, the Pope made an appeal for the release of kidnap victims, "especially those who have been kidnapped because of their faith, in particular the Dehonian priest, Fr. Giuseppe Pierantoni, captured in the Philippines more than two months ago."

ANG;CHRISTMAS;...;...;VIS;20011228;Word: 270;