Pope Francis says Christmas needs to be freed of materialism

Pope Francis on Saturday, (24 December) said that Christmas is being taken hostage by materialism which puts god in shadows and marginalises the hungry and migrants.

In the homily on Christmas eve, pope said that a world that is obsessed with gifts, feasting and self centeredness needs more humility. At the service that was attended by around 10,000 people along with several cardinals, bishops, Francis said that many people who were wealthy had to be reminded that the message of Christmas was simplicity, humility and mystery.

Francis said while speaking at the St.Peter's Basilica, "If we want to celebrate Christmas authentically, we need to contemplate this sign: the fragile simplicity of a small newborn, the meekness of where he lies, the tender affection of the swaddling clothes. God is there."

"Jesus was born rejected by some and regarded by many others with indifference. Today also the same indifference can exist, when Christmas becomes a feast where the protagonists are ourselves, rather than Jesus; when the lights of commerce cast the light of God into the shadows; when we are concerned for gifts, but cold toward those who are marginalized."

The pope, who made defending the poor a part of his papacy said that baby Jesus should remind the world of the marginalised, especially children.

"Let us also allow ourselves to be challenged by the children of today's world, who are not lying in a cot caressed with the affection of a mother and father, but rather suffer the squalid mangers that devour dignity: hiding underground to escape bombardment, on the pavements of a large city, at the bottom of a boat over-laden with immigrants."

On 25 December, the Pope will deliver his message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and his twice-yearly "Urbi et Orbi" ("To the City and to the World") blessing.