The Archbishop of Toledo, Francisco Cerro Chaves, addressed his traditional Christmas message to the archdiocese from the Primatial Cathedral, during a particularly significant year marked by the 8th Centenary of the temple and for the development of Diocesan Synodin communion with … the synodal path of the universal Church.
In his speech, from Transparente by Narciso Tomé from Seo MetropolitanaThe prelate wanted to congratulate “every home, every parish, every family and community” on these holidays, wishing a Christmas “full of light and the peace of Jesus Christ.”
From the heart of the CathedralCerro Chaves underlined the ever new character of the mystery of the Incarnation: “Christmas always surprises us, even if every year it returns punctually, it never does so in the same way”.
The archbishop stressed that the birth of Christ reveals “the tenderness of God” and his closeness to humanity, in particular smallness and humility from the manger. “In the silence of the portal, we discover that the Lord raises up the little ones, the poor and the fragile,” recalling that “there, in a manger, the salvation of the world begins,” he said.
Cerro Chaves insisted that Christmas is not just a memory of the past, but a living reality that challenges every person and community today. “Christ was born for you and lives for you,” he noted, inviting us to experience this time as an opportunity to heal wounds, find the deeper meaning of life and renew hope.
synodal path
This year’s Christmas message is part of the synodal path traveled by the Church “united with Pope Leo XIV” and which is taking shape in Toledo within the framework of the diocesan Synod. In this context, the archbishop encouraged building a Church that “walks together”who listens, discerns and lives communion, advancing “the path to Bethlehem and the path of joy”.
With an eye on a world wounded by “wars, conflicts and suffering”Cerro Chaves recalled that the Church, from Bethlehem, continues to announce “peace to men whom the Lord loves.” In this sense, he reaffirmed the commitment of the Church of Toledo to being “a Church in danger of disappearing.” close to the poor and those who suffercalled to “grow within to serve without.”
Finally, the Archbishop alluded to the significant events which will mark the months to come: the celebration of the 8th centenary of the Primate Cathedral and the Jubilee of the Virgin of Guadalupe in 2026inviting us to live them “in a synodal climate of thanksgiving”.
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