Message by Archbishop Charles Jude Scicluna

On this holy Christmas night, we celebrate the birth of a baby. The eyes of faith teach us that this baby is none other than God made man. God’s love was formed in the womb of a woman, a virgin, Mary of Nazareth, and today we are commemorating the birth of this baby. The author of the letter to the Hebrews tells us that God spoke to his people various times, in many ways, but then, in the fullness of time, he sent his Son (Hebrews 1:1-2).

This lesson is very important nowadays. In order to communicate all his love to redeem us, God sent his Son made man. His name is Immanuel, ‘God with us’ (Mt 1:23). God’s presence is a presence that we could see, that we could feel. We could look at a baby. We saw him grow among us. At 33 years of age, he was crucified on the cross for us and rose, resurrected, from the dead. Jesus is our Saviour. Today, we rejoice in his birth. In this year in which we shall end the Jubilee of Hope, I wish to share a few reflections about our use of social media.

If we look at the Christmas story and understand that God became man to speak to us, we can appreciate how important and precious our presence is to each other. Social media is also conveying my word to you. I thank all those who are working in this field to somehow bring the world closer together. However, there are also the dangers of weaning ourselves away from each other’s presence by being too absorbed in a digital and virtual world.

My appeal this Christmas is that as we look at the baby of Bethlehem, we learn that the personal, physical presence of affection, of love for each other, is precious. No social media can replace that personal contact. And, therefore, if we look at the use of social media on a personal level, it would be good for us to give each other a beautiful gift this Christmas; to ourselves, first and foremost, by dedicating a little time of reflection, calmly, in silence, in front of a crib, in front of an image of Baby Jesus, released from so many demands, from so many invitations, from so many messages that sometimes also take away the strength of our soul and the peace of our heart.

So many families, when they meet, if they meet, around the dinner table are detached from each other’s presence because they are constantly engrossed in social media. Sometimes, at a place of entertainment or in some restaurant, you can see everyone focused on his or her smart phone. It is as though meeting each other is not enough to make us happy, to give us peace. Our meeting has become more virtual and digital. The same applies to our society.

Often, we use harsh words in each other’s regard because we are protected by the anonymity, or so we believe, of social media. If I were to meet someone in person, however, my word would perhaps be different; the look in my eyes as I make eye contact with another person would be different. It is so important for us not to let go of these human means of communication. Using everything that science and technology provide to facilitate communication between us but not forgetting that our physical presence together, the affection we have for one other, are indispensable human values for a good quality of life.

And so, this Christmas, it is important for all of us who can be, to be present for each other. It is true that those who are far away will need social media to reach out and pass on a message of hope and love to their dear ones. This is a good and holy thing. I remember our emigrants. Let us remember those who are far away. Let us remember those who are in hospital or in prison and cannot communicate with their loved ones as they would like to.

Social media is essential in this area. Five years ago, when we went through the COVID pandemic, we greatly appreciated that social media helped us to not become completely isolated even though self-isolation was part of the health regulations.

Today, however, when after COVID we are perhaps still too attached to certain means of social communication that instead of bringing us closer together are distancing us from one another, we need to stop and take a moment to reflect. We are also on the threshold of a new era where artificial intelligence, AI, will take over, in that what we think is true will not be true at all.

The baby who was born today and whose birth we are celebrating said, “The truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). I hope that we shall be truly devoted and truly encouraged to seek the truth, that not everything we see and hear can be true, it can also be false, and so, instead of giving us a sense of freedom, it throws us into terrible slavery. I also appeal for our use of social media to be charitable, loving, caring towards one another. Let us cleanse our hearts of everything that tarnishes the beautiful image of those who truly desire to be present for one another.

I also appeal that this Christmas the greatest gift we can give will be our presence, our love for each other. How wonderful it would be, if possible, that when we meet this Christmas, we would forget for a little while the tools which are supposed to bring us together but are distancing us from each other, so that we can enjoy each other’s presence.

I wish everyone who is listening to me a happy Christmas at the feet of baby Jesus. People often say to me, “I heard the Mass, Father, you know. I watched it on television or on social media.”

For those who cannot come to church and receive communion, it is a holy thing to follow what is being broadcast, but I invite you during the Christmas period to make an effort to go to the house of God, listen to the Word of God, receive communion. Those who need it should also approach the sacrament of confession. When Jesus wanted to bring us his peace and salvation, he did not send us messages. He created a system of meetings between us, we call them the sacraments, in which we are present for each other, with the signs of the Eucharist, of the food and drink, his holy body and blood; confession – the priest who blesses you and tells you, “I forgive you your sins”. They are personal contacts that redeem us and lead us to salvation.

On this holy night, let us pray that we will never forget our calling to be present for one another, while remembering that the name of this baby who is being born and whose birthday we are celebrating today is Immanuel, ‘God with us’, a beautiful presence that gives us peace, courage and happiness.

I give you my heartfelt pastoral blessing and sincerely wish you all the best for Christmas and a new year full of prosperity and blessings.

✠ Charles Jude Scicluna
    Archbishop of Malta

The Archbishop’s message in Maltese Sign Language