The Incarnation Is the Fruit of God's Love for Humanity

Here is the Vatican's summary of the Pope's words at today's General Audience, including catechesis about the history and meaning of the Gloria:

"Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our Audience today is filled with the joy of Christmas, the mystery of God’s eternal Word made flesh for our salvation. Down the centuries Christians have contemplated this mystery of light, seeking to understand more fully why God chose to become man. An answer to this question can be found in the joyful song of the angels on the first Christmas: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace among those whom he favours!" (Lk 2:14). God’s glory, shining on the face of Christ (cf. 2 Cor 4:6), brings that peace which is the crowning of his messianic gifts. Saint Irenaeus tells us that the Word became flesh in order to give us a share in God’s glory: "The glory of God is the living man, and the life of man consists in the vision of God" (Adv. Haer., 20,5,7). Ultimately, the Incarnation is the fruit of God’s infinite love for humanity; it reveals, in von Balthasar’s insightful phrase, that God is not primarily absolute power, but absolute love, a love revealed in the complete gift of himself. May the song of the angels inspire us to give "glory to God" and to build "peace on earth", by humbly receiving the gift that God gives us at Christmas: the gift of his love, the gift of his Son.

"I offer a very cordial welcome to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors, especially the groups from Ireland and the United States of America. May your visit to Rome in these holy days be a source of spiritual joy and deepened faith in the Word made flesh. Upon you and your families I invoke the grace and peace of the New-born Saviour. Happy Christmas!"

Asia News has an article with quotations.  Full translations are available from Teresa Benedetta at Papa Ratzinger Forum and Zenit.