BISHOP CHIKWE'S 2005 CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

“And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord”. (Lk. 2: 10 –12).

My dear people of God and men of goodwill, as we celebrate once more the birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, we share in the message of joy to the shepherds by the angel. This is the joy of all joys; the Son of God became man and has since dwelt among us. Jesus came to reconcile us with the Father and to make us sons and daughters of God. There can be no greater good news than this. This in spite of our rebellion from God brought about by our first parents, Adam and Eve in the first place and secondly by our own personal sins.

Despite our collective and personal problems, despite the hardships staring us in the face, despite the so many disasters which have befallen us this year, be they natural or man made, we are asked to hold our heads high. If we reflect on the immensity of the love of God towards us, we indeed should wake up every morning in great jubilation and praise to God.

Christmas is a sharing of joy. God intends that we share in his eternal happiness. He sent his only beloved Son to share in our sorrows and pains, to share in our nature. He then brought us to share in his divine life and eternal bliss. This is a divine example. We are called upon to share our joys and sorrows with our brothers and sisters.

How can we celebrate Christmas and ignore the neighbours around who is in want? Hoe can we dress in purple and gold when the next door neighbour is in tartars? It becomes more urgent when we are placed in a position of public responsibility and we do little or nothing with funds entrusted to us.

Christ came to bring us peace; peace with God, and peace with our neighbours. First of all, are we at peace with ourselves? Are we at peace with our neighbours and with God? Sin is the cause of disquiet in our society. The infant Jesus, lying coolly in the manger is God and yet he is so humble.

My dear people let us work for peace and justice in our communities, in our families and in Nigeria.

May the new born Child Jesus bring us peace and lasting joy! Amen.

MOST REV. DR. VICTOR A. CHIKWE
Bishop of Ahiara, Mbaise.

2006 New Year Message