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Anglican Bishop James Wong’s Christmas message |24 December 2014

‘Let’s make the Church in Seychelles grow with the message of the love of God’

“As we rejoice and celebrate this wonderful season of Christmas, let us take time to thank Jesus for coming into his human family and in our lives. Let us together welcome him into the homes of our hearts.

“The message of the nativity of Jesus is this: ‘An Enduring symbol. Christ’s birth has been a powerful story throughout the ages’. The Nativity is a three dimensional representation of that timeless story and an enduring symbol of faith, hope, and love for Christians around the world. The Nativity has also developed into an international art form with a universal message that speaks to people of all faiths and cultures. It is a story of family, new beginnings, the miracle of life, and a spiritual presence.

As He comes in our homes, churches and society what will He see? Will He rejoice or will He be sad? He came and lived in a family like yours and mine.
“Joseph, though he was not happy in the beginning acted like the loving and caring father, providing to Jesus’ needs. Jesus followed in the footsteps of Joseph and later, became a carpenter. Mary was probably the one who helped Jesus to grow in faith. As a faithful Jew she shared her faith with her son.

In this she was successful. At the age of twelve, with his parents, Jesus went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover and we read that He was with the teachers listening to them and asking them questions and the latter were amazed as they listened to Him (Luke 2:46-47). Jesus’ home was a blessed place where ‘He grew in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man’. Luke 2:52.

“Dear fathers, Joseph is a model for us. He cared for the members of his family. He showed responsibility in anything he did. Not only did he provide for his family, he took time to help Jesus grow into the carpenter of Nazareth. His faith in God helped him in doing God’s will. Joseph loved his family, he protected them. He gave them support; he taught them and set an example for Jesus.

“Dear mothers, Mary is a model for you. She agreed to be used by God from the very beginning. She guided her Son in the faith. She brought Jesus in the temple when the time arrived for the purification. She was present in Cana, where the first sign occurred. She cared for her Son even to the foot of the cross.

“Dear children, Jesus is your model. He was obedient to his parents and participated in all the religious activities. With them, He went to Jerusalem at the age of twelve for the Festival of Passover. At 12, boys began preparing to take their places in the religious community the following year.

Dear fellow pilgrims on our earthly journey, we are not only members of our respective human family; we are also members of the family of God, a community of faith. As such let us all take our responsibilities to make the Church in Seychelles grow with the message of the love of God as Jesus did during his earthly life.

“At this festive time, as we pause how do we see ourselves? Remember at this Christmas that a new beginning in faith for a better family is possible if we take our responsibilities seriously. Let the miracle happen at this Christmas! Let us have faith, Jesus is with us, Emmanuel.

May the Child of Bethlehem bless and watch over you and your loved ones this Christmas and may He prosper and bless the work of your hands in the New Year 2015.
“Wishing you all a peaceful and joyous Christmas and a blessed New Year 2015.”

The Rt. Rev. James R. Wong Yin Song
The Fourth Anglican Bishop of Seychelles

 

 

 

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