By Chaldean Patriarchate
December 23, 2025
Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako
December 23, 2025
Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako
Christmas is approaching this year too, in the midst of such extremely harsh circumstances, a widespread culture of consuming has contributed to decline in human and spiritual values, as well as a disturbing situation of violence, conflicts which bring death and destruction, to the extent that some countries have begun openly declaring preparations for war. Hence, we find nothing but faith in God that nourishes our hope and ensures that peace, security, and stability will be a concrete reality.
In Iraq, we pray may Christmas and the New Year bring a new government with a firm national vision and a new roadmap that assures country’s renaissance, serving its citizens, creating a healthy environment for peaceful coexistence and putting an end to 22 years of suffering.
Chaldean Church, which is deeply rooted in the land of Iraq and having endured many hardships, I wish her profound peace and steadfast hope in God, who did not abandon her throughout the trials she faced and will not abandon her today. I hope that she will engage with its society to play its role in spreading peace, human and spiritual values, and endorsing coexistence, as an extremely important matter.
An Invitation to Be Born
Christmas is not only a historical event, but an invitation to be born as sons and daughters of God in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5: 1). This birth is a journey of faith and spirituality, a creative path in which we prepare our hearts to welcome the light of Christ: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light… for a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests” (Isaiah 9: 1,5). Let us turn our gaze toward Christ’s mystery in order to put his teaching into practice in our lives., so that we may engage with our society, walking in Jesus’ light that illuminates our personal and public lives amid the storms of our world—and make each of our days a birth of goodness, peace, love, hope, and joy. It is with these feelings that peacemakers move.
The angels’ hymn to the shepherds on Christmas Eve—“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and hope to humanity,” (Luke 2: 14), this is a call that should shape our daily lives, to learn the culture of peace and commit ourselves to it. This song teaches us to adhere to hope, that helps in alleviating the suffering of poor, needy, and sick people, just as the friends of the paralyzed man mentioned in the Gospel of Mark (2: 1–12) did, when they fondly brought him to be healed by Jesus, and similar to what the Good Samaritan did (Luke 10: 25- 37).
Peace is the message of Christmas addressed to everyone: Peace is God’s project for all people whom He loves and wants them to live safely. He wishes to embody it in their lives and in their countries, so that freedom, dignity, and abundance. Let us mediate on how often do we say in our prayers, “Peace be with you,” or greet one another with “Peace be upon you”
Peace is a choice, a culture, and a commitment. Each of us has a role to play in countering the destructive actions of our world, such as violence, discrimination, and devastating wars. This way, peace may become a reality, in which we may all live as sisters and brothers created by God to love each other rather than fighting that leads to death.
Christmas is also a message of hope—the hope is God’s promise’ to be with us: “I am with you to save you” (Jeremiah 1: 8), and the words of Jesus, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28: 20). “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5), therefore, we must keep up our hope. and not give up to despair, fear, or anxiety. Hope helps us to welcome what is new and sustains our presence and our solidarity. We should believe that the future is in our hands. Saint Clement of Alexandria (215 † c.) stated in his book entitled “The Instructor”: “Our journey in this life is actually the seeds of eternity within us”.
May 2025 Christmas be a call to Christians, Muslims, Jews, and all others to uproot the causes of destructive conflicts and the tragedies of injustice, so that we may live together safely in peace, and harmony? Let our hearts overflow with hope, set out with joy, on a path of peace, love, and guidance, making right decisions that bring serenity to our hearts and minds so we can live in a refreshed world of stability
During Christmas time, we think of all those who lost their lives this year and pray for their families.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2026.
