Life would be dark without Christ's birth, pope says

Published: 2007-12-19

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Without the birth of Christ who brought the light of truth to the world, life would be dark and without direction, Pope Benedict XVI said at his last general audience before Christmas. Born in a grotto in Bethlehem, Jesus has "shown the world the light that lights up our life (and) revealed the way that leads to the fullness of our humanity," the pope said. The Dec. 19 general audience also marked the last weekly general audience of the year. More than half a million people attended the 44 general audiences held in 2007, the Vatican press office said in a Dec. 19 statement. The pope dedicated his talk in the Vatican's Paul VI hall to "the meaning and value" of the Advent and Christmas seasons. He said Christians are called to prepare the way for the Lord's coming by creating a dignified setting "not only in our immediate surroundings but above all in our souls."

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