It is with amazement and full of wonder that we are brought face to face, particularly during these days, with the incarnation of the Son and Word of God, Who was born of a Virgin and laid in a manger of animals, something inconceivable for both mankind and the angelic orders. And while the faithful celebrate festively this joyful event--namely, that by divine condescension a Saviour was born to us this day, descending unto us from His great majesty-- natural, social and spiritual earthquakes and conflicts shatter mankind, which distanced itself from Christ, bringing thus turmoil and trouble to the life of all those who love peace.
In the search for new forms and relations, social structures are being destabilised; spiritual quests are derailed in self-destructing cults and unprecedented natural disasters occur in different places on earth. All around us one can see disorder and confusion, murders and devastation; the vision of peace seems to be unwelcome and oppressed. Uncertainty, anxiety, depression, lack of meaning, inexplicability of what is taking place, frequent indifference and many a times even hate have established themselves within the soul of most people.
Millions of our fellow human beings find themselves struggling, both morally and physically, and are trapped beneath this natural, social and spiritual wreckage; many of them, unable to cope with this situation, are stricken with various psychological and physical injuries. Many seek out the guilty and engage in vindictive acts against those whom in their opinion are responsible for their troubles. Others, unable to approach those responsible, manifest their dissatisfaction through acts of terrorism directed against the innocent. Some even exploit this destabilization and attempt to profit from it at the expense of their fellow human beings. And others, having entrenched themselves behind their wealth, or their power, live within a particular secluded world, neither feeling the pain of others, nor willing to ease their pain.
All of these people have not learnt of the salvation through the newborn Christ. In many cases, out of despair and certainty that there cannot be any redemption from the dominion of evil, they do not even seek out salvation. They strive by way of their own worldly powers for the solution of their problems and many times resort to the powers of evil itself, which when invoked, increase both confusion and pain.
