It came upon the midnight clear, the glorious song of angels heralding the birth of Jesus Christ. But beneath life's crushing load, our forms are bending low, toiling along the climbing way with painful steps now look forward to glad and golden hours of rejoicing in the Christmas joy and spirit meant to be shared by all.

How many of us share the spirit of Christmas? What special meaning has the birth of Jesus brought to us? Jesus is born for humanity seeking freedom and peace, born for everyone burdened by sin, in need of salvation and yearning for hope.

In the wake of yearning for hope, the lowly manger in Bethlehem sends us many appeals -- one being the greatest commandment of all -- to love one another as Jesus loves us. And through this love we long for tranquillity and peace, now threatened by dark clouds of violence and war and in hunger for justice and peace we should accept the message of Christmas Day, which rings out around the world tomorrow.

Another urgent appeal to the world -- do not give way to mistrust, suspicion and discouragement, even though the tragic reality of terrorism feeds uncertainties and fears.

Believers of all religions, calls Pope John Paul in a message, together with men and women of good will, by outlawing all forms of intolerance and discrimination, should join hands to build a world of peace.

Yet in despair, we live in a world where hate is strong and mocks the peace on earth.

The birth of Jesus brings to our mind salvation -- salvation from the devastating famines and tragic internal conflicts, which are aggravating the already precarious conditions of all people, a world where political, economic and social crises disturb the serenity of many families and nations.

Let it remove the tragic situations, which often involve human guilt and even malice soaked in fratricidal hate and senseless violence. Let it save us from the danger of becoming resigned to so tormented and distressing a scenario, and be a source of encouragement to those working hand in hand to bring relict to the tormented situations in all parts of the world.

Let the joy of Christmas instil trust in the power of truth and patient perseverance in doing good. May we see the truth standing firm in the brightly decorated 'Christmas tree" -- "a tree so unchanging, where its boughs so green in summertime, do brave the snow of wintertime".

Let us then, not fail to notice the strident contrast between the serenity of the Christmas carols and the problems of the present. Let us use the light that shines out of us to save our children and adolescents -- the young and the innocent -- from the dangers that threaten them, free them from all forms of exploitation and protect them and to restrain the bloodied hand of those responsible for genocide and crimes of war.

The senseless spiral of blind violence clouds the spirit of Christmas, yet this spirit shows us the way to look forward in hope to a better tomorrow. A tomorrow away from despair, hatred, violence and everything that dampens the Christmas spirit. A tomorrow where wrong shall fail and right prevail, a tomorrow where the world revolves from night to day, when voices chime a chant sublime of peace of earth and good will to men.