From here in Bethlehem, bells are announcing it to the whole world: it is Christmas! Experiencing this celebration right here, where Jesus was born, is unique, both for pilgrims and local Christians. The solemn midnight mass, presided over by the Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Mons. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, took place in St. Catherine’s Church, part of the Basilica of the Nativity complex. More than 1,300 people attended. Among those present was also the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmoud Abbas. In his homily, Mons. Pizzaballa recalled that Christmas represents a humble beginning, a small sign, but it has transformed the world. H.E. Mons. PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, ofm Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem “There is a risk that I would like to avoid: that of reducing Christmas to a mere feast, which is certainly beautiful and expensive, but that is made mute and insignificant, [and] that is taken for granted, since it is repeated each year. Christ’s Nativity is a prophecy, which on the one hand reveals God’s action, and on the other hand, calls us to action. The Archbishop then referred to the recent events that have stirred this land, encouraging politicians to “have courage, not to be afraid of loneliness and not to fear daring or taking risks. Today more than yesterday,” he insisted, “we need real and serious politics. But what we are saying to politicians, we must say first and foremost to ourselves.” H.E. Mons. PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, ofm Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem "There's no peace if someone is excluded. Jerusalem should include, non exclude. Jerusalem is our mother; a mother loves all her children. If there's one missing she can't be in peace. So we have to pray for peace in Jerusalem, according to what the psalm says". He then encouraged local Christians, who are worried and afflicted by many hardships and insecurities, to be a subtle sign of the power of love to the whole world. H.E. Mons. PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, ofm Apostolic Administrator of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem “Thus, have courage, Church of the Holy Land! You can do it, brothers and sisters! We can continue to live and stay here, in weakness and poverty, because these are God’s paths when He wants to come into the world and bless humanity. Let us not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is our strength!” One of the most awaited moments of the night was the procession in which the Child Jesus was once again placed in the grotto where the Virgin Mary, Joseph’s wife, gave birth to her firstborn Son, wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him down in the manger. Every half-hour [today], a mass is celebrated here in different languages ​​until dawn, giving everyone the opportunity to contemplate the Mystery of Christmas and to bow before the Little Child.