In his Christmas message, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., urged communities to embrace hope and love in a world marked by growing challenges.
Drawing inspiration from the biblical verse, “We await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13), the cardinal called on believers to rediscover the true meaning of Christmas and its promise of joy and hope.
“Hope seems harder to come by in our world today,” Cardinal Chow acknowledged, citing economic struggles, geopolitical tensions, mental health crises, relational poverty, and environmental degradation as contributing factors.
He emphasized that the essence of Christmas is not rooted in commercial celebrations but in the “direct intervention of the ever-loving God into our human history by sending God’s only Son to journey with us.”
The cardinal highlighted the salvific purpose of Christmas, stating, “Its objective is to show us the compassionate love of God that knows no bounds.”
This divine love, he added, brings forgiveness and reconciliation, enabling individuals to face life’s challenges with “a hope for the unyielding and eternal love of God.”
Looking ahead to the Catholic Church’s Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025, themed “Pilgrims of Hope”, Cardinal Chow reflected on the significance of hope in the Christian journey.
“Hope does not disappoint” (Romans 5:5), he reminded the faithful, urging them to see life as a pilgrimage toward eternity, united with the Creator and loved ones.
The cardinal called for solidarity and compassion, particularly for those on society’s margins. “We can help bring love to our communities,” he said, encouraging acts of kindness towards individuals suffering from war, displacement, imprisonment, loneliness, or illness.
He also highlighted the importance of forgiving debts, a tradition of Jubilee Years, to offer struggling individuals a chance at a fresh start.
Cardinal Chow also underscored the need for global and local efforts to promote justice and sustainability. He stressed that “justice is better not sought through vengeance but through empathy,” envisioning a collaborative future rooted in mutual understanding and support.
He called for a unified approach to addressing economic challenges, relational poverty, political instability, and ecological degradation.
For Hong Kong, the cardinal expressed optimism, stating, “Together with loving kindness to each other, especially towards young people, the elderly, migrants, and visitors, Hong Kong will shine as a vibrant city filled with hope, love, and life.”
As he concluded, Cardinal Chow offered a hopeful vision for the coming year. “Christmas and the New Year are a time for hope, love, peace, and dreams! Without hope and dreams, there will be no better future,” he said, calling on communities to walk alongside young people and empower their aspirations.
