Christmas Homily by S.E.R. Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García, archbishop of Havana.

For four Sundays of Advent we have prayed and sung: Come, Lord Jesus.

Today, in these days of Christmas, we say: “Welcome.” Our lives are full of welcomes. From eternity God the Father has told us: Welcome to my eternal love, which has no beginning or end. Welcome, my image, my son, my treasure, my life.

When our mother found out that we were inside her, she exclaimed: Welcome, Welcome, and our father said the same when he learned that his love had generated a blessed fruit and our grandparents, relatives and neighbors repeated: Welcome, Welcome.

And when each of us was born the angels sang: Glory to God in heaven and in that blessed fruit of love: peace. On the day of our baptism the Church jumped for joy saying: Welcome, Welcome.

When we first went to school, to work, and to places for the first time, they said: Welcome, Welcome.

The husband and wife, returning home, say to each other: Welcome, my only love. Welcome, my only love.

The Son of God really liked this word that denotes immense tenderness and has had immense desires to hear it. The Virgin Mary said to him: Welcome, my son, blessed fruit, to my virginal womb.

Saint Joseph has exclaimed: Welcome to our house. San Joaquín and Santa Ana, grandparents; The holy elders Simeon and Anna exclaimed: Welcome.

Later, the sinners, the evil ones, in need of forgiveness, shouted: Welcome.

And those who cry and suffer: Welcome.

We too today, on this Christmas night, say to you:

Welcome to our heart longing for peace. Welcome to our family that needs more love and harmony.

Welcome to all corners of our Country, which needs and wants to know the path that leads us to peace and happiness.

All the people in need of love tell you: Welcome, we have been waiting for you for a long time.

Those who have conflicts, lawsuits, disagreements also want to tell you: Welcome.

This Christmas time is the great moment for displeased husbands, brothers struggling with inheritances, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, people who hate each other, the offenders and the offended to shout with all the strength of their hearts: Welcome, little baby Jesus, prince of peace

How wonderful it is for everyone to be able to sing on December 31: Glory to God in the sky and peace in my heart; in my family, peace; In my town, peace!

How wonderful to be able to sing the 366 days of the year 2024: “Glory to God in heaven and peace in the hearts of all Cubans wherever they are!