Christ is the Saviour of the world, because through him and in him all men can pronounce this word, the word which belongs fully to him alone, the eternal Son. In him, the divine sonship has become our inheritance. By God's will, as adoptive sons we are coheirs of the eternal Son, called to participate in the life of God, in eternal happiness in him. The readings of today's liturgy once again present us with the universal dimension of salvation, to which all men and all peoples are called, through the mystery of the Incarnation. What the first reading attributes to the children of Israel, the psalm extends to the peoples and nations of the earth.
Salvation is meant for all humanity.
It is not the secret privilege of one individual or people but is shared by all people. The coming of the world's Redeemer, for those who welcome him with reverential and grateful fear, marks the be- ginning of a new order, the divine order. God's saving will is expressed by the birth of the Son of God in human nature. In this way the Christmas mystery and the very name of 'Jesus' represent for humanity the sign of the divine order, in which the history of creation and of every people and nation is contained. Therefore, the Church rightly celebrates World Day of Peace on this first day of the New Year.