Christian Reflection and Prayer

The Pope writes a Christmas letter to Middle East’s persecuted
Christians

(The following is just 3 paragraphs taken from the Popes Letter)

Please during Christmas remember these persecuted  brothers
and sisters in Christ.

  Dear brothers and sisters who courageously bear witness to
Jesus in the land blessed by the Lord, our consolation and our
hope is Christ himself.  I encourage you, then, to remain close
to him, like branches on the vine, in the certainty that no
tribulation, distress or persecution can separate us from him
(cf. Rom 8:35).  May the trials which you are presently enduring
strengthen the faith and the fidelity of each and all of you!

            I pray that you will be able to experience a fraternal
communion modelled on that of the first community of Jerusalem. 
The unity willed by our Lord is more necessary than ever at
these difficult times; it is a gift from God, who appeals to our
freedom and awaits our response.  May the word of God, the
sacraments, prayer and fellowship nourish and continually renew
your communities.

            The situation in which you are you living is a powerful
summons to holiness of life, as saints and martyrs of every
Christian community have attested.  I think with affection and
veneration of the pastors and faithful who have lately been killed,
often merely for the fact that they were Christians.  I think also
of those who have been kidnapped, including several Orthodox
bishops and priests of various rites.  May they soon return, safe
and sound, to their homes and communities!  I ask God to grant
that all this suffering united to the Lord’s cross will bring about
much good for the Church and for all the peoples in the Middle
East.

PLEASE NOT ONLY REMEMBER THESE BROTHERS AND
SISTERS IN CHRIST BUT ALSO ALL PERSECUTED PEOPLE
FOR WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD!!!!!

HAVE A SAFE AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS