The Pope starts off with the most important at Christmas: “this feast of the God who became flesh and established his dwelling in our midst (cf. Jn 1:14).

It is very encouraging to hear from him: “All of us are committed to spreading throughout the world the resounding message that the angels proclaimed that night in Bethlehem, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to people of good will” (Lk 2:14), so as to bring joy and hope to our world.”

His evaluation is “The essence of the crisis of the Church — is the crisis of faith. If we find no answer to this, if faith does not take on new life, deep conviction and real strength from the encounter with Jesus Christ, then all other reforms will remain ineffective.” I share this conviction.

In this conundrum he stresses the priority of mission and evangelization: “The key theme of this year, and of the years ahead, is this: how do we proclaim the Gospel today? How can faith as a living force become a reality today?”

His comments on how Africa helps with addressing the flagging faith in the “old world” are very encouraging. I share his conviction on this. He writes: “On this point, the encounter with Africa’s joyful passion for faith brought great encouragement. None of the faith fatigue that is so prevalent here, none of the oft-encountered sense of having had enough of Christianity was detectable there. Amid all the problems, sufferings and trials that Africa clearly experiences, one could still sense the people’s joy in being Christian, buoyed up by inner happiness at knowing Christ and belonging to his Church. From this joy comes also the strength to serve Christ in hard-pressed situations of human suffering, the strength to put oneself at his disposal, without looking round for one’s own advantage. Encountering this faith that is so ready to sacrifice and so full of happiness is a powerful remedy against fatigue with Christianity such as we are experiencing in Europe today.”

He also finds encouragement in the resurgence of faith amongst the global Youth. This too is very uplifting to me even if I have not had the opportunity to make this experience myself, but I will take his word on this. The  focus on adoring Christ as the universal, catholic center, who forgives sins [confession & absolution] and leads us to joy in all lives situations is heartening indeed.

On good works as the fruit of faith he writes: “Prior to all of this is the encounter with Jesus Christ, inflaming us with love for God and for others, and freeing us from seeking our own ego. In the words of a prayer attributed to Saint Francis Xavier: I do good, not that I may come to Heaven thereby and not because otherwise you could cast me into Hell. I do it because of you, my King and my Lord. I came across this same attitude in Africa too, for example among the Sisters of Mother Teresa, who devote themselves to abandoned, sick, poor and suffering children, without asking anything for themselves, thus becoming inwardly rich and free. This is the genuinely Christian attitude.”

It is with his greeting that I conclude this summary too: “As I conclude, I would like to thank all of you from my heart for shouldering the common mission that the Lord has given us as witnesses to his truth, and I wish all of you the joy that God wanted to bestow upon us through the incarnation of his Son. A blessed Christmas to you all!”

Read the entire address here via Vatican Radio – Pope Benedict: Address to the Roman Curia.