The invitation of Christmas
By Editor
Wed 25 Dec. 2013, 14:00 CAT
When we want to reflect on the meaning of Christmas and on its significance for the world and for our lives, we turn to John's gospel. There are no shepherds, no wise men or angels; not even Mary and Joseph.
John's was the last gospel to be written and it begins not with a story but with a pronouncement. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it." The staggering, incredible pronouncement; "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
We love hearing it - we love reading it - but more importantly, we are overwhelmed and humbled by the message these words proclaim.
It's the story beneath the story - the staggering assertion that in this child, this vulnerable baby, God came to be with us. He came to earth to share and bond with our humanness, in our joys, our sorrows, our hurt and our brokenness. He is a God who comes down to us - into the glamour and grime of human life. He shares and holds us close to Himself, bringing healing and hope.
That is the amazing claim of the Christmas tale, the story many of us know almost word for word and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without it, that this child, in coming among us, pierces the darkness of today's world with a dazzling light of God's love. Then you almost whisper John's words, "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it, has not been able to put it out."
Every one of us, we suspect, has known darkness of one kind or another; and for some that darkness is very deep. It can be the loss of someone dear to us; illness; anxiety about our families, our future; the darkness of addiction; the darkness when we are bereft of hope. There are many kinds of darkness.
The message of Christ is that we are not alone in the darkness, whatever it is, because light has come. Often flickering and fragile, like the light of a candle but still burning and still dispelling the darkness.
In a world of so much uncertainty and longing for hope, we so desperately want this story to be real. We want it to offer us the comfort and assurance of a God who has not abandoned us but who cares deeply about us and our world.
So we urge you this Christmas to go back to John's gospel, to read that first chapter, to let the words themselves speak to you. And we would urge you to grasp hold of the truth that is being lovingly held out to you.
The invitation of Christmas is to live out our lives in that light, to trust that God came in that baby and continues to come into life, the life of this world. When we live in that love, that light, no darkness will ever overcome it.
We who believe that story must live in the light of its truth. Long ago, in the dark night, in a stable behind a crowded inn, a child was born. In him was life - and the life was the light of all people.
The gospel stories of Christmas, read properly, are about deprivation, hardship, danger and defencelessness, all of which most definitely have a topical ring to them across the width and breadth of our country today, rather than about good times for a minority and for 'people who matter'.
If we were to look close still at the biblical stories of the Nativity, we see that they are saying startlingly contemporary things to every community and to every individual, the most important of which is that we all matter, regardless of who or what we are, or what we have. The sheer significance of the holy family in Bethlehem on that first Christmas day cannot be over-exaggerated. They didn't count - except in terms of a census - and they had no one and nothing behind them, except perhaps a marginal kindness by one individual who was persuaded to find somewhere private where Joseph and Mary might have at least a modicum of dignity for the birth of a child. Yet for all of the squalour and deprivation recounted, this sad little story was of eternal and universal significance. This muted and pitiable episode in history was, in the theological language of John's gospel, nothing less than the Word of God invading the world. And by the Word of God, we mean that which is the real meaning of everything, that which is the underlying logic and reason behind all creation. As you seek and as we seek to relate usefully, practically and even sacrificially - as we all must do - to those who are being crushed by what is happening to them here today, very probably through no conceivable fault of their own, we can surely see the crucial connection with that event in Bethlehem. No matter how much we have tried to wrap up the Nativity in tinsel and pretty wrapping paper, it was the embodiment of real need and danger, and yet was the Word of God in its fullness.
The message of Christmas is clear: the Word of God was and is to be found in all its power and love in the most ordinary and even the most pitiable of places, and it is there that we must continue to seek Christ.
Above all, we must never doubt for one moment that we all matter infinitely to God and that we must, therefore, all matter infinitely to one another.
A blessed and peaceful Christmas to you all.
Labels: CHRISTMAS, HOLIDAYS
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Peace and love in 2013 — President
Sunday, 23 December 2012 00:00
Wadzanai Bara and Kuda Bwititi
President Mugabe has urged Zimbabweans to uphold unity saying the nation should use this festive season to reflect on the need to denounce violence ahead of the 2013 harmonised elections.
The President said the most important duty left for the inclusive Government, whose tenure effectively lapses next year, was to deliver a peaceful, free and fair plebiscite.
In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Mail at State House last Friday, Cde Mugabe, who was in high spirits, emphasised the need for a violence-free festive season.
“To the people of Zimbabwe, I would like to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. But a Merry Christmas can only be merry when there is no violence,” he said.
He encouraged Zimbabweans to “strengthen their resolve” and ensure a peaceful 2013 that is characterised by violence-free elections.
“We should find ways of achieving them (free and fair elections) and that then would mark the totality of these achievements and progress by our own nation.
“So, let us, therefore, strengthen our resolve to work harder in the New Year; we should strengthen our resolve to make our unity succeed and also strengthen our resolve to have peaceful relations in 2013.
“We want to look back and say our inclusive Government was indeed a producer of an election that has been very peaceful and violence-free and very productive because the Government that came out of it is a Government of a people that has learnt their lessons from a people that was united and a people that moved progressively ahead.”
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, who was with First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe and two of their children, Bona and Bellarmine Chatunga, encouraged Zimbabweans to spend Christmas with their families.
He said unity among family members makes the festive season more joyous.
“A Merry Christmas can only be a joyful Christmas if there’s unity of families; the love between father and mother and the children, a love between people living together, a love between all of us,” he said.
The President said Zimbabwe, which commemorated Unity Day yesterday, should jealously guard the Unity Accord signed between Zanu and Zapu to form Zanu-PF in 1987.
He said the accord should be a symbol of the harmony that Zimbabweans should pursue.
Zimbabweans should also take the Christmas period to reflect on their successes while looking forward to successfully completing programmes that were not completed in 2012, he added.
“It should be love amongst all Zimbabweans and it should also be remembered that Christmas comes at the end of the year and it should be a time to remember what achievements or lack of them we have made throughout the year and try to look ahead in order for us to continue with those things, or shall I call them projects or programmes that remain uncompleted and complete them as they spill over into 2013.”
Turning to his plans for Christmas and the New Year, the President said he is likely to visit China with his family and thereafter begin his annual leave.
He will also mark the beginning of 2013 by celebrating the academic achievements of Bona, who is set to complete her Masters Degree in Accounting.
“I am going to have a bit of a holiday and I am going to travel, possibly to China,” he said adding that he would probably come back home around mid-January.
Labels: CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR, ROBERT MUGABE
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Merry Christmas to you all
By The Post
Tue 25 Dec. 2012, 10:10 CAT
The first Christmas celebration came unexpectedly to the participants - Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men - who all responded to God's message to "fear not".
It has been wisely noted that when God's messengers say "fear not" - it's time to listen, give up our fears, pray ferociously and put the future into God's hands.
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined (Isaiah 9:2).
These words were spoken long ago to people living in anxiety, fear and despair, people feeling bereft of security, safety and any sense of God's presence. We hear them early on Christmas, forgetting that they were first spoken hundreds of years before the birth we celebrate. Human beings across this planet still yearn to know that a more gracious and divine reality is active and evident in our lives.
The birth we celebrate is meant for this world mired in darkness and fear, yet also becomes easier to discover in a tiny voice crying in protest over being cold, wet and hungry. We hear that cry in the demeaning of chronic poverty, behind prison bars. That flicker of hope surges as the world turns to investigate this surprising new life, one heart at a time. The light grows as hearts catch fire with the same light that illuminates the stars, pulsing hope and new life, even out of black holes.
Those who search in dark and despair, in dank dungeon and deep devastation, will find divine light given for the world. Light that will not be put out, so long as any creature remains to receive it, until and beyond the end of time. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:5). Hope reigns in human hearts. And rejoice, for a child of the light is born in our midst!
This might not be the Christmas we had imagined. However, we always wonder just how Jesus would want us to celebrate his birthday? We know that Mary "pondered" and together they prayed and sought direction.
The birth of Christ challenges us to reassess our priorities, our values, our very way of life. While Christmas is undoubtedly a time of great joy, it is also an occasion for deep reflection, even an examination of conscience.
Christmas can be the time in which we learn to read the Gospel, get to know Jesus not only as the child in the manger, but as the one in whom we recognised God made man.
Christmas is a time for Christians to engage with the world. Christians shouldn't shun the world; they should engage with it.
Christians should fight poverty, but should do so out of a recognition of the supreme dignity of every human being, created in God's image and destined for eternal life. Christians work for more equitable sharing of earth's resources out of a belief that, as stewards of God's creation, we have a duty to care for the weakest and most vulnerable.
Christians oppose greed and exploitation out of a conviction that generosity and selfless love, as taught and lived by Jesus of Nazareth, are the way that leads to fullness of life.
Christian belief in the transcendent destiny of every human being gives urgency to the task of promoting peace and justice for all. Christmas should bring hope to all those who, like Jesus, live on the margins of society. Christmas should bring hope to all who are vulnerable to the changing fortunes of a precarious world. From the manger, Christ calls us to live as citizens of his heavenly kingdom, a kingdom that all people of goodwill can help to build here on earth.
But we shouldn't forget that people are not Christians because of Christmas. It is because of Easter. We wonder how many people understand what we are talking about!
We are certain that the only reason we know anything about Jesus' birth, or earthly ministry of healing the sick and feeding the poor, centres upon what the first followers experienced after Jesus had died on the cross. Something remarkable happened. Something marvelous occurred. Something miraculous, and maybe even a little scary, was witnessed by the first followers of Jesus.
We are talking about the ministry of the first Easter, when Jesus was resurrected from the dead. Whatever happened at the resurrection and subsequent days shook people to the core. This experience encouraged them to talk and eventually write about a Jesus who had defeated death and appeared to many people afterwards. For these followers, as for later generations, who claim that the spirit of Jesus continued to empower, comfort and reconcile with the divine, Jesus is much more than a nice man who did nice things for people long ago. Jesus is more than a baby born to Mary in a manger.
For some, baby Jesus will remain ancient history, a myth or a fairy tale; however for others, the risen Jesus is God's gift of abundant life, peace, justice and forgiveness now and forever. It is a gift that is experienced rather than read about, talked about, bought or sold.
And in an era where abundant life, peace, justice and forgiveness seem in short supply, our hope is that more people will experience this type of gift. Merry Christmas to you all.
Labels: CHRISTMAS
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Show love, compassion this Christmas - Sata
By Masuzyo Chakwe and Moses Kuwema
Tue 25 Dec. 2012, 12:00 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has urged Zambians to show love, compassion and care to one another, especially to the needy this Christmas.
In his Christmas message, President Sata said although Christmas was mainly a period for celebrations and family get-togethers, people must find time to thank God and reflect on the purpose of Christmas.
"I wish you all my dear beloved compatriots a merry Christmas and we pray that this will be a memorable day to us all. We should be persistently inspired by the life and deeds of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And during this period, let us all endeavour to extend goodwill, love, compassion and care to each other, especially to those who are disadvantaged or less privileged than ourselves," he said in a statement issued by his special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah.
President Sata further urged Zambians to use this period as an opportunity for reconciliation and service to others and more importantly give assurance and hope to one another.
"This is the time to reflect with pride and satisfaction that despite our different political persuasions, we have allowed a peaceful atmosphere to prevail in our country. This is how it should be and I implore all leaders to ensure that this status quo is upheld," he said.
President Sata further counselled Zambians to avoid over indulgence in order to minimise fatalities and human suffering during this festive period.
"Let us all conduct ourselves in a responsible manner and desist from behaviours that will endanger our lives and those of others.
Zambia needs all of us and I therefore, urge all road users to observe traffic rules," he said.
President Sata also directed police and other law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce law and order in the country as well as ensure that there is sanity on the roads during the festive period.
Meanwhile, first lady Dr Christine Kaseba has urged parents not to overspend during this festival season.
Speaking to journalists during a Christmas party for children at State House yesterday, which coincided with her birthday, Dr Kaseba said the new year comes with responsibilities of school fees.
"With the new year comes school fees, so please do not overspend. Keep some money for schools and above all learn to love one another. Live in unity, share and spread love to your neighbours, friends, partners. Let love flow through this period," she said.
Dr Kaseba urged Zambians to remember to put God at the centre of the celebrations.
"Be very careful, do not drink too much," she said.
On the children's party, Dr Kaseba said she wanted to use the opportunity to open up the love and preach the word of God to the children in vulnerable homes to make them feel they were not alone.
"We just wanted them to mingle regardless of their statue, whether they are disabled, whether they are able bodied and whether they are in need. They need to know that in God's eyes we are one," said Dr Kaseba.
During the same celebrations, 10-year-old Vanessa Mwale from All Saints Anglican Church in Kafue called on President Sata who attended the party, to be inviting the children at State House to be discussing issues of national development.
Vanessa also hoped the children in villages could be accorded the same privilege of visiting State House.
In response, President Sata said next time, he would invite the children for necessary development.
"I am told there are very few orphans here. We orphans we know how to survive. I think next time we will invite you for your friends' birthday party, he is not here now. We shall invite you for necessary development," said President Sata.
The children presented Dr Kaseba with gifts for her birthday.
Labels: CHRISTMAS, MICHAEL SATA
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