In the message, Imam had asked the faithful Christians to pray for the Iranian nation who were suffering at the time due to the rule of the Shah regime and his Western backers.
The message was released in 1978 just months before Imam’s historic return to Iran which led to the victory of the Islamic Revolution under his wise leadership.
The historic message comes as following:
Message
Date:December 23, 1978 [Dey 2, 1357 AHS / Muh$arram 22, 1399 AH]
Place: Neauphle-le-Château, Paris, France
Subject: Felicitations and best wishes to the Christians of the world
Occasion: Christmas
Addressees: The Christians of the world
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
The Almighty God’s greetings and salutations to the Holy Christ, son of Mary, the Spirit of God, and the honorable prophet who resuscitated the dead and awakened the drowsy! Greetings and salutations of the Great God to his dignified mother, Virgin Mary and virtuous saintly woman, who, through the divine breath, offered such a great son to those who were thirsty for divine mercy! Greetings to the clerics, priests and monks who, through the teachings of Jesus Christ call the rebellious souls to peace! Greetings to the free nation of Christ, who enjoy the divine teachings of Christ, the Spirit of God!
In the name of the oppressed nation of Iran, I request you, the nation of Christ, to pray during your holy days for our nation who are a captive of an oppressive sultan and beseech their emancipation from the Almighty God. I request you the great nation to warn the heads of some Christian countries who support the oppressive Shāh through their diabolic powers and crush a nation under the pressure of their oppression and acquaint them with the teachings of Holy Christ.
I request the Christian clerics to advise some of the heads of powerful countries and denounce their support for a person who has turned his back to the divine teachings. The Holy Qur’an has mentioned the name of Holy Christ with magnificence and has purified Holy Mary. It is the duty of the Christian nation to pay their debt to the Muslim nation. Peace [be with you].
Rūh$ullāh al-Mūsawī al-Khomeinī
Sahifeh-ye-Imam, Vol.5, page 267