The ringing of the bells of the Basilica of the Nativity, scouts and the entire town of Bethlehem welcomed the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, H.B. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, on the day of his solemn entrance on Christmas Eve. H B PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA, ofm Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem My message on the occasion of Christmas from here, from Bethlehem is a message of love, an invitation to change our lives and to create a perspective for the future. Peace does not wait and does not come from heaven. We are the ones who make it. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and may Baby Jesus bring joy to you all! A few kilometers from the Grotto of the Nativity, the iron gate separating Jerusalem from Bethlehem opens to let the convoy pass through on its way to Nativity Square. Arriving on the Square, in front of the Basilica of the Nativity, the Patriarch was received by religious and civil authorities, in the presence of Kamel Hamid, Governor of Bethlehem, and Bethlehem Mayor Hanna Hanania. In light of the political instability that is affecting the Holy Land, there were many hopes, prayers for a just peace and a dignified life expressed by the local Christians who gathered in the Square waiting for the Patriarch. FIRAS MARZOUKA Bethlehem A joyful atmosphere for us and a message to the whole world that we look forward to peace, a future for our young people. GEORGE GHATTAS Bethlehem We hope that next year the Palestinian people will be united in celebrating these holidays all together. We hope that conditions will improve, that new roads and job opportunities will open up. RULA MAAYAH Minister of Tourism It is a day of hope for the Palestinian people despite the pain and suffering. Our message is a message of peace for the whole world. Here the King of Peace was born, and from here peace will come to the whole world. Patriarchs and church leaders had called on Christians around the world to support the living stones of the Holy Land through pilgrimages and to pray for peace and justice in the land of Christmas, as well as for all war-torn areas. A message of hope announced by the Archangel to the shepherds at Beit Sahuor that still applies today: "Fear not, for there is born to you today in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Happy New Year! We wish a Happy New Year to the whole world. From Palestine and Bethlehem, Merry Christmas!!! --