The mass was attended by the faithful and some of the most prominent political dignitaries.
The Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, said at the Midnight Christmas mass held at the Zagreb Cathedral that the Croatian name for Christmas (Božić), which means “little God”, shows that God has approached the man with such love that he adjusted to the man’s size, and therefore Christmas is a holy day, reports Jutarnji List on December 25, 2016.
He stressed that churches around the world were places where Christians gathered to celebrate the birth of Jesus and that they were illuminated and full of the faithful. Bozanić also pointed out that Christmas in different ways can take over a man and inspire the human heart.
He said that the grace of God brings salvation to all people and calls on them to devote themselves to good deeds in such a way to reject ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live in the world soberly, righteously, and godly. Cardinal stressed that Christmas calls for a new style of life, new relationships between people, an alternative life in a world where there will be more generosity, forgiveness and true love.
The Archbishop of Zagreb also remembered Syria, which brings us almost daily images and reports about the terrible war, the daily sufferings of the many refugees and urges us to pray for the war to be stopped and for the refugees to return to their homes.
He pointed out that the birth of Jesus was a message of joy and peace for every man. The Gospel offers us the ability to change the world, society and every person, so that the society may bring many good news – news about new births in families, about the ability to find a job for the young and unemployed, for respect for human dignity of every person, for reducing tensions in human relations, for protection of human life in all its phases, from conception to natural death, said Bozanić.
He pointed out that God loves the man, and suffers for him. “God is good, gracious, true, far from anger, because God is the only good”, said Bozanić and wished for such Christmas to happen in Croatia, in Zagreb, in every family, in every hearts. At the end of his sermon, the Archbishop of Zagreb wished everybody Merry Christmas.
The midnight Christmas mass at the cathedral was attended by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Davor Ivo Stier, SDP president and leader of opposition Davor Bernardić, and many other political dignitaries.
Cardinal Bozanić also held a Christmas Day mass on Sunday morning.
