ON THIS CHRISTMAS NIGHT

On this Christmas Eve, we entrust to you, Lord, all those forgotten by our societies. Look at those who, like Mary and Joseph, go to sleep in a makeshift shelter or in a foster home. Accompany those who go to share a meal with the most deprived. Open our hearts to listening and welcoming our brothers and sisters in need, shine your love on them.

On this Christmas Eve, we entrust to you, Lord, the victims of violence throughout the world, in all countries that know war and oppression. So that peace and justice may prevail on this earth, and that we ourselves may be artisans of your peace, shine upon us your love.

On this Christmas Eve, look, Lord, at our families, those who get along and those who have difficulty loving one another. We entrust to you the children and young people, the parents and all those who are preparing for marriage, the grandparents and all the elderly. So that each one may grow and flourish in the love of a family, make your love shine upon us.

On this Christmas Eve, we pray to you, Lord, for our com- munity. That we may be actors in the life of your Church by responding to your call with generosity, each according to his or her vocation and multiple talents, make your love shine upon us.

On this Christmas night, when God comes to visit our humanity and share a life similar to ours, we pray to you Lord, with all the parishes of Switzerland, for the respect and protection of life, from its conception to its natural end. May the light of the Peace of Bethlehem enlighten our leaders so that those who are responsible for developing and voting on the law become more aware of the fact that all life is a gift for humanity, that all life is worthy and respectable.

May each of us, on this Christmas night, ever more aware of the marvellous gift of life, become more involved with the most fragile and vulnerable in order to build an authentically human civilization.