Christmas a time ‘to try to find elusive peace’ – Roberta Metsola

Christmas is a moment to pause, reflect and attempt to “find that elusive peace”, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in her Christmas message, calling on people to reconnect with shared values of compassion, solidarity and responsibility.

In a message marked by reflection rather than celebration alone, the Maltese MEP spoke of Christmas as a time that brings people together through “moments of joy and laughter, of family and friends, and of the spirit of togetherness”.

She underlined that beyond the festivities, Christmas carries a deeper meaning rooted in values that bind societies together.

“Of the values that bind us together, of peace, compassion and the enduring hope that Christmas brings for Europe and the rest of the world,” Dr Metsola said.

Dr Metsola used the message to highlight the moral responsibility individuals and leaders alike carry, particularly at a time when conflict, inequality and social hardship remain prevalent across Europe and beyond.

As homes fill with “light, warmth and laughter”, she urged people not to lose sight of those who remain excluded from that comfort.

“We also reflect on what we can all do in our own way to bring that joy to others. To reach out to the lonely, the vulnerable and the marginalised in our communities,” she said.

Her remarks extended to those “still fighting for freedoms we take too often for granted” – words that may well be taken as a coded reference to the bold defence being mounted by Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, a cause in which she has been pivotal in building a united European response.

At the heart of Dr Metsola’s message was a call to recognise a shared human obligation, one that transcends borders, politics and institutions.

“To try to find that elusive peace. To help bring comfort to those who remain cold and hungry. To understand the obligation we all have to our collective humanity,” she said.

She added that the Christmas story itself carries an enduring responsibility, urging people to live up to the values it represents not just during the festive season, but throughout the year.

“To live up to the enduring duty that the Christmas story has placed upon each one of us.”

Concluding her message, Dr Metsola expressed hope that the spirit of Christmas would continue to guide decision-making and personal conduct in the year ahead.

“May the light of Christmas keep piercing through the darkness, and may we allow this spirit to keep guiding us throughout the year ahead,” she said, wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas.