In an emotional Christmas message delivered on December 25, 2025, Archbishop Carlos Garfias Merlos of the Archdiocese of Morelia extended a warm greeting to the people of God and all people of good will, urging a renewed commitment to building peace amid social challenges. The message draws inspiration from the story of the Nativity to instill hope, solidarity, and active peace-building, especially in regions affected by violence and uncertainty.
Archbishop Garfias, a prominent voice in the Mexican Catholic Church known for his defense of social issues, framed his greeting around the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem as a beacon of light in dark times. «I greet you with great affection and wish that the child Jesus… may rest in the manger of every heart with his light, his sweetness, his tenderness, his love, and his peace», he began, invoking the fragility of the child Christ as a symbol of divine presence without power or weapons. This theme resonates deeply in Morelia, the capital of the state of Michoacán where structural violence, organized crime, and economic difficulties have cast shadows over the communities for a long time.
The core of the archbishop’s message is the call to see Christmas not only as a celebration, but as a profound invitation to build peace. He highlighted the contrasts of the current world: «There are lights, but there are also shadows. There are desires for good, but there are also open wounds in our society and in our families.» In these contexts, he affirmed, the light of God emerges where the darkness seems deepest, quoting Isaiah: «The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.» Peace, he emphasized, is not passive, but a deliberate act of faith and commitment. «Hope is not naivety, it is a decision of faith,» declared Garfias, assuring listeners that «God does not abandon his people» and that «evil does not have the last word.»
A key aspect of peace-building in the message is its rooting in social justice and inclusion. The archbishop recalled that the first to receive the announcement of the Birth were the shepherds of Bethlehem: simple men, poor and marginalized in their time. This, he argued, underscores God’s preference for the «least»: the poor, the sick, the victims of violence, the migrants, the forgotten, and the wounded families. «To all of them God says, you are not alone. Your life matters, your pain is not invisible,» he proclaimed. In a nation like Mexico, where migration, poverty, and violence displace thousands annually, this message serves as a prophetic reminder of human dignity. Garfias presented God as «close and in solidarity with every human suffering,» transforming personal and communal pain into opportunities for solidarity.
The archbishop explicitly positioned peace as a divine gift that demands human responsibility. «It is a gift that commits us,» he explained, outlining practical steps for peace-building: defending life, healing broken relationships, choosing forgiveness over resentment, and caring for the most vulnerable. He called on believers to become «artisans of peace» in their homes and communities, echoing the frequent expression of Pope Francis to describe active peace-builders. This commitment, Garfias noted, counters the normalization of violence: «We do not get used to pain nor normalize violence, nor close our hearts to the suffering of our brother.»
Special attention was directed to families, described as the «heart of our society and our church.» Recognizing prevalent problems such as divisions, absences, poverty, migration, and violence, the archbishop offered pastoral encouragement: «Do not lose hope.» He drew parallels with the Holy Family of Nazareth, which faced precariousness, exile, and uncertainty, but allowed God to act in their trials. This family-focused approach underscores peace-building at the grassroots level, starting in homes and extending outward.
In a broader prophetic tone, Garfias urged a transformation of perspectives: «Let us open our hearts to the child of Bethlehem. Let him transform our fears into trust, our divisions into encounter, and our weariness into hope.» He called for seeing reality «with the eyes of God» and walking together in mutual support, fostering justice and fraternity. The message concluded with a blessing, invoking the peace of the Trinity upon all, especially the most needy.
This Christmas message aligns with Garfias’s ongoing efforts in peace initiatives, including dialogues with local authorities and communities in Michoacán to address violence. As Mexico faces persistent security challenges, the archbishop’s words offer a spiritual framework for resilience and action. Those interested can access the full video of the message online, where Garfias’s delivery adds emotional depth to his call for a peace that begins from below and radiates throughout society.
The full message can be viewed here