Christmas is a feast of solidarity with the poor, says Bishop

Christmas is a feast of hope, poverty and solidarity with the poor. Christmas, at its very heart, is a feast for the poor, of the poor and it is to be celebrated with the poor, Bishop Derrick Fernandes said in Belagavi on Tuesday.

Delivering his annual Christmas message at a media conference, Bishop Fernandes urged believers to work for justice and build a society of mercy.

He called upon the Christian community to “go consciously in search of the poor, not as benefactors alone, but as fellow pilgrims during this Christmas”.

“Let us encounter Christ in their faces, listen to their stories, share their struggles and affirm their God-given dignity. Because when we walk with the poor, we rediscover the true meaning of Christmas and experience the joy that comes from genuine solidarity,” he said.

“The mystery of Christmas reveals a God who chose poverty — born in a manger, laid in a humble crib — because Christ made Himself poor for the sake of humanity, so that all might become rich in love, dignity and hope. This profound truth raises an important question for our times.”

“In a world marked by growing inequality, conflict and indifference, Christmas challenges us to move beyond celebrations limited to lights, gifts and festivities. It invites us instead to open our eyes, hearts and homes to those who are forgotten, excluded and suffering,” Bishop Fernandes said.

Questioning whether the poor merely rely on the rich for survival, or vice versa, he said that it is the rich who need the poor in order to recognize the face of God among them.

“Hence, Christmas story clearly points to the poor because it was to poor shepherds that the Good News of the birth of Christ was first announced; hence, God continues to dwell among the poor,” he said.

He shared a quote from the Bible: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor”.

“We hope this Christmas inspires individuals, communities and institutions to stand with the poor, work for justice and build a society where compassion, sharing and peace prevail,” he said.

The faithful across the region will take part in the midnight prayer services on the Christmas day on Thursday in churches and cathedrals. The Belgaum Diocese covers five districts, Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot and Haveri.