The solemn music of the choir , celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ. Thousands took part in the ceremony. Those who were unable to get inside the church , braved the cold night in Saint Peter's Square and watched the mass on gaint giant television screenscreens. The celebration was broadcast via satellite to more than 65 countries.

In his homily, Pope Benedict said God appeared as the baby Jesus more than 2,000 years ago to ask for love the same way every child asked asks for love.

He appealed for children who are abused, forced to live on the street or serve as soldiers. Speaking at in Italian, the Pontiff said everything must be done to put an end to the suffering of these children, who are " made instruments of violence, instead of messengers of reconciliation and peace" .

The Vatican's christmas Christmas festivities began several hours before the mass with the unveiling of the Nativity scene next to the Vatican's largest ever largest-ever Christmas tree in Saint St. Peter's Square.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Pope appeared at his studio window to light a single candle in a sign of peace.

 

Solemn 庄严的、严肃的
Choir 唱诗班、合唱
Brave 不畏惧、冒着---（很生活话的用法）
Saint  圣人,圣徒
Mass 弥撒
相关知识链接：
    弥撒是基督教的主要崇拜仪式，由成套的圣咏组成。弥撒分为专用（或译作特定）弥撒（Prope）和常规弥撒(Ordinary)。前者是弥撒中的可动部分，取舍视该次弥撒的内容而定。后者为不变部分，每次弥撒都要用。 

常规弥撒的五个部分为：慈悲经（Kyrie）、荣耀经（Gloria）、信经（Credo）、圣哉经（Sanctus）、羔羊经（Agnus Dei）。
Homily 说教、训诫
Pope 教皇（Pontiff ）
Reconciliation 调停
Vatican 梵蒂冈
Festivity 欢宴、欢庆
派生单词：Festival 节日
Festivous 节日的、愉快的
Nativity 出生、诞生

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