REMARKS TO AUSTRIAN DELEGATION
TO THANK THEM FOR THIS YEAR'S
VATICAN CHRISTMAS TREES, 12/12/08
Here is a translation of the Pope's remarksstria who formally presented the Christmas trees for St. Peter's Square and other places in the Vatican this year. The Pope spoke in German.
A most cordial Gruess Gott to all of you who came to bring the Holy Father and to the Church in Rome the Christmas tree which, along with the Creche, will adorn St. Peter's Square during this Christmas season.
I welcome especially the regional Governor of Lower Austria, Dr. Erwin Proell, whom I thank for the kind words he expressed in the name of all who are here.
I greet the Bishop of Sankt Poelten, Klaus Kueng, whom I also thank for his words which have touched my heart.
As a representative of the delegation and all the guests from Lower Austria, I greet the mayor of Gutenstein, Johann Seper, in whose territory this majestic tree grew - the tallest so far in the history of the Christmas trees at St. Peter's Square.
And not the least, I greet the young singers of Altenburg and the musicians of Ziersdorf, who have given our meeting a festive air with their performances, and are, so to speak, the messengers of your country's rich culture and its multiple traditions.
Thank you from my heart! Where Austria is, there is music - and we have experienced that today in a wonderful way.
The gift that comes from the woods of your beautiful country - including other trees you have brought that will bring the Christmas atmosphere to the Apostolic Palace and other places in the Vatican, including my own study - reminds me of the visit which I made to your country last year.
On that occasion, I visited one of the great convents [Heiligenkreuz Abbey in the Vienna Woods] that are a feature of your country and testify to its profoundly Christian history.
It should be the task of all the faithful to see to it that such testimony for Christ remains alive even in the future, in order to give men support and orientation in their lives, or, as you, Mr. Governor, said in concrete terms - a guardrail to hold on to, so we can move ahead.
The Christmas tree will, in the coming weeks, bring joy to the Romans and to many pilgrims from every part of the world who will be coming to the Eternal City during the festivities for the Nativity of Christ.
I, too, will be looking at it from my window, and it will be my joy when I can look down and admire the Creche and the tree. But I will also have occasion to go down to the tree directly, pray before the Baby Jesus, and enjoy the lights of the tree and its beauty.
Its arrow-like form, its greenery and the lights on its branches are a symbol of life. The lights bring us all the mystery of that Holy Night.
Christ, the Son of God, brings to the dark world, cold and unredeemed, into which he was born, a new hope and a new splendor. If man allows himself to be touched and illuminated by the splendor of the living truth that Christ is, he will experience an interior peace in his heart, and he himself will become a peacemaker in a society which yearns so much for reconciliation and redemption.
Dear friends, once more let me say 'Vergelt's Gott!'
['May God reward you' - a Bavarian and Austrian form of saying Thank you] for this beautiful gift!
I also thank everyone who was unable to come here, the sponsors, and those who took care of transporting the trees. May the Lord reward you for the willingness with which you generously contributed to this project.
I extend to you my best wishes for a Christmas celebration filled with grace, and I ask you to extend my wishes to your families and all your fellow citizens.
I assure you of my prayers for your families and for your wonderful country, as I commend you all to the intercession of Mary, Patroness of Austria, and your region's patron saint Leopold, who now, as a beautiful sculpture, will also be able to be 'at home' in my room.
May the Lord protect your region and bless all Austria.