Archdiocese of Manila Cardinal Jose Advincula reminded the faithful this Christmas that “without Jesus, there is no hope.”

In his Christmas message released on Christmas Eve, Advincula emphasized the value of hope.

Advincula urged the faithful to “take to heart” the words of Prophet Isaiah, "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone."

“In a very dark world we are living in, we do not lose hope because the Star of Bethlehem will light our path and guide us in our journey,” the prelate said.

Advincula said the circumstances of the first Christmas “were very much like ours today.”

“Our world today is no different. It was filled with lamentations and longings for freedom and redemption. It was dark,” he said.

“It was night. In this darkness, the light has shone, and hope was born,” he added, noting the birth of Christ.

The prelate reminded that “God is not distant nor far away.”

“He has a face. He has a name. He has a family. He is with us. He was born in our midst. He has entered into human history. God, the creator of all things, God, the all-powerful and almighty, has become so tiny that He could fit in a manger. So helpless and powerless that He could be carried in our arms,” he said.

“According to the ancient fathers of the Church, He is God who ‘abbreviated’ Himself, who made Himself so small that we may no longer be afraid of Him. This gives us hope. This gives us strength. We are not alone in our journey.”

He added that may the Holy Year of 2025 “make us agents of hope and heralds of joy in our communities.”

“I pray for all of you and your families that you may not allow despair and resignation to take away your hope. Jesus, born among us, is the reason for our hope," Advincula said.