Benedict XVI kicked off the
Christmas Novena, the nine consecutive days of special prayer before Christmas,
during his weekly audience. With everyone's mind on the holiday next week, the
Pope took the opportunity to put it into
perspective.
BENEDICT XVI Christmas speaks to everyone;
it celebrates the gift of life often fragile or endangered and the fulfilment of
our deepest hopes for a world renewed. The Pope also reminded pilgrims
about the spiritual nature of Christmas, and that it wasn't all about the
economic crisis and gift shopping sprees.
BENEDICT XVI
The present economic crisis, causing so much suffering, can however help us
to focus on the spiritual meaning of Christmas, and to welcome into our hearts
the hope brought by God's coming among us as man. 
