Cardinal Tobin highlights humility and service in annual Christmas message
Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, has issued a Christmas message reflecting on the themes of joy and hope central to the season. In his address, Cardinal Tobin emphasizes the closeness of God through the Incarnation, noting that “God is closer to us than we dare admit.” He describes Jesus’ humble birth as a significant event that challenges common expectations about where God’s presence is found.
Cardinal Tobin observes that people often look for God among those with wealth and power but states, “God surprises us. He inverts our values, showing us that the first will be last, the lowly will be raised up, the rich will be sent away empty, and the poor will inherit the Earth and all its treasures.”
The message includes references to past papal statements. Quoting Pope Leo XIV’s homily from a Vespers celebration, Cardinal Tobin shares: “God created us without us, but he will not save us without us. Thus, we are called to cooperate with him by living out a life of grace as his sons and daughters, making our own contribution to the plan of salvation.” He further cites Pope Benedict XVI’s 2010 Urbi et Orbi message: “There is only one answer: Love. Sacred Scripture proclaims to us ‘the great love story of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ.’”
Cardinal Tobin addresses contemporary issues by asking how individuals can embody the Christmas message in daily life. He raises questions about caring for vulnerable populations such as the poor, homeless, refugees, unborn children, elderly people, and those who are ill or infirm.
He concludes by encouraging acts of generosity during Christmas: “Christmas is a season of joy and hope. It’s a time to give and share all that we have received from God’s abundance. The material gifts we exchange at Christmas symbolize the much deeper sharing God invites us to embrace.”
The message ends with Cardinal Tobin inviting prayer using St. Augustine’s Nativity Prayer.
