CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE EST

JESUS: THE HOPE OF EARTH

The sadness and fear that gripped the world for the last two Christmases may be gone but Christmas 2023 finds our world facing new challenges that are just as worrisome and sad.

As we approach the season of Christmas, we find ourselves surrounded by a world grappling with adversity, death, wars, destruction, hunger, hatred, revenge, racial and religious strife, ethnic cleansing and genocide. These are the daily offerings on our news streams, locally and internationally.

In the face of these challenges, how do we celebrate the hope and joy that Christmas represents?

I think that it is helpful for us first to recognise that the context of Jesus birth was not much different than our present political and moral reality.

At the time of Jesus' birth, Judea was under Roman rule. This period was marked by political upheaval, social disparity, and religious tensions. The Jewish people yearned for liberation from Roman oppression and longed for the fulfilment of Messianic prophecies promising a deliverer.

The society was stratified, with distinct classes and hierarchies. The poor faced economic hardships, and there was widespread inequality. The religious landscape was dominated by a myriad of different groups, each with their own interpretation of scripture.

In addition, the society at the time faced challenges in upholding the core tenets of compassion, justice, and righteousness. There was widespread and systemic neglect and marginalisation of women, the sick, the poor, and those considered socially outcast.

In this historical and moral milieu, Jesus' advent heralded a transformative message.

His coming signalled the promise of salvation, love, and peace for all humanity. In a world gripped by conflict and unrest, the coming of Jesus brought hope to all who were marginalised, oppressed and in bondage to despair and fear.

That message of hope is still as relevant today as it was then. Jesus brings hope in the midst of despair. 

But Jesus did not only bring hope, he is the hope of earth. It is through Him and in him alone we receive the hope of deliverance from sin, hope that sustains us through adversity and hope of a new heaven and a new earth.

This hope is not passive but active. It moves and enables us to be agents of hope and transformation. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody the message of hope by extending compassion, love, and support to those in need. Whether through acts of charity, offering a helping hand, or advocating for justice, we can be beacons of hope amidst the darkness.

As we celebrate this season, let us be mindful of those who are suffering.

Let us lift our prayer and give practical support where we can. Let us reclaim the true spirit of Christmas by embodying hope, spreading joy, and living out the message of love and peace that Christ brought into the world.

As we exchange gifts and create cherished memories, let's remember the greatest gift of all, the birth of hope, personified in the form of a child, bringing light to a world in need. May the spirit of Christmas ignite a flame of hope within us, guiding our steps towards a future filled with compassion, understanding, and goodwill.

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May this season fill your lives with hope, joy, and an abundance of blessings."