The Bishops of Malta and Gozo in a pastoral letter being read in churches this evening said that an active relationship calls for a constant recalling of all that God has brought about in the life and history of mankind.

"It requires each and every one of us to make clear decisions with respect to our friendships: one cannot be distracted and rely upon friends who are insincere because in actual fact, these have the power to enslave us with their ideologies and false promises," the bishops said.

The bishops said Christmas also remind the faithful that option for poverty which God made for humanity.

“Remember how generous the Lord Jesus was: he was rich, but he became poor for your sake to make you rich out of his poverty” (2 Co 8, 9). This awareness should lead us to do our best so that in our society there will be an equitable distribution of assets and that the social conditions of the workers and pensioners will be improved.

Read the full letter on the pdf below.