The full text of Bishop Wiehe's message reads:

celebration of Christ's birth is highly symbolical.  The 25th December is the winter season's turning point.  From then on the nights will gradually diminish and the days will lengthen.  Better than the celebration of this birthday on the actual day that Christ was born ñ a date which history has not recorded ñ the symbolism of this date is profound:  Christmas is the celebration of a new and wonderful light in human darkness.

"The light of the Child-God shines forth but not all are ready or willing to see it.  Herod and the Religious Leaders in Jerusalem as well as the crowd in Bethlehem saw nothing ñ they had many worldly worries and other celebrations on hand.  Paradoxically, it was the Shepherds ñ a poor and marginalized lot ñ who saw the Glory of the Lord and heard the choir of Angels.  The Magi ñ foreigners from another land ñ saw the bright light of a star and travelled far and long to discover the place where it shone: they found a child crying in a manger, they presented their gifts and adored him.  The bright light of FAITH shone in Mary's and Joseph's hearts.  They recognized in that child the long-awaited SAVIOUR and they were filled with joy and hope, with tenderness and love.

"As we bring wishes to each other and celebrate Christmas this year may we endeavour to discover the deep peace, the new hope and the message of love which the birth of Christ brings to us and to all persons of good will.  May you all be filled with the true light of Christmas."

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