**Rowland Croucher**
2008-12-22 02:54:19 UTC
Christmas Message 2008 from the Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
Dear Brothers and Sisters
Greetings!
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas there seems to be even more
darkness, conflict and despair in the world around us. That means for
us, as Christians, we must think even more carefully and deeply about
Jesus -- the baby born in Bethlehem's stable.
Many people are afraid of the dark, whether it be the absence of light
around them or fear of the unknown in their personal lives or the world
at large.
Despite all this we need to think and meditate about Jesus....
"a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not
overpower." St. John ch. 1 v. 5
St. John's Gospel goes on to remind us of the facts of Jesus' birth....
"That he was born into a world which did not recognize him and a people
that did not receive him." St. John Ch. 1 vv 10 & 11
So, as we approach another Christmas we must show the world around us
that Jesus is a light in the dark which never goes out, a burning light
which takes the terror from the night and moreover, a light on which we
should fix our eyes not least when the clouds appear to be gathering
around us.
Just as the baby in the stable is the focal point of our Christmas
celebrations, so we must affirm and witness to the fact that Jesus is
the light upon which shines out from our personal and corporate lives at
all times.
Again and again we need to ask ourselves "What would Jesus do, what
would Jesus say". Then, our thoughts and ideas of His actions and words
must be translated into the daily life of our community -- particularly
in this Holy Land.
Similarly, we have to convince the world's political leaders that the
true peace will only come on earth when we seek God's will for his
people....not least through the words and actions of Jesus. Nor must we
belittle the fact, affirmed in St. John's Gospel, that to all who accept
Jesus, He gives power to become the Children of God.
This means we must stand alongside all who suffer around us -- the
hungry, the homeless, the unemployed and the bereaved since Jesus tells
us that when we help others we are doing it to Him as though He were
suffering for them.
To stand alongside also involves us in action. We need the light of
Christ to shine on this Land to enable us to work more realistically for
a two state solution which would end the burden of restrictions arising
out of Occupation.
(So we pray for the President-Elect of the USA that he and other world
leaders may see the urgent need for peace in the Middle East and not
least in this Land).
We need also to see the situation in which many are suffering in Gaza in
the light of Christ and make a determined effort to bring them urgent
relief.
Moreover, we must never forget our duty to point our children and young
people to the light of Christ, assuring them that, through Jesus we all
have hope for a better world.
Then we would greet our Sisters and Brothers across the world -- not
least the thousands who have visited this Holy Land recently. It is
important to recall that you are walking in the footsteps of Jesus and
when you pause to see the plight of many of your fellow Christians that
you respond as you believe He would.
We are conscious of all who suffer across the world but for all we
believe the only way forward is to see people and situations in "The
light of Christ".
Be assured of our good wishes and prayers for all of you as Christmas
approaches and may God's blessing be on your homes and families.
Walk in the light and the light will illuminate your path,
Walk in the truth and the truth will set you free,
Walk in the way of peace and you will have, through Christ,
the peace which passes understanding.
(Prayers of the Way: by John Johansen-berg).
Jerusalem December 2008
Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
H.B. Patriarch Theophilos III Greek Orthodox Church
H.B. Patriarch Fouad Twal Roman Catholic Church
H.B. Patriarch Torkom Manoogain Armenian Orthodox Church
Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, ofm Custos of the Holy Land
Archbishop Anba Abraham Coptic Orthodox Church
Archbishop Swerios Malki Murad Syrian Orthodox Church
Archbishop Abouna Mathias Ethiopian Orthodox Church
Archbishop Paul Sayyah The Maronite Church
Archbishop Youssef Jules Zreyi The Greek Melkite Church
The Rt. Revd. Suheil Dawani The Anglican Church
The Rt. Revd. Mounib Younan The Lutheran Church
The Rt. Revd. Pierre Malki The Syrian Catholic Church
Fr. Rafael Minassian The Armenican Catholic
Church
--
Shalom/Salaam/Pax! Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ (20,000 articles 4000 humor)
Blogs - http://rowlandsblogs.blogspot.com/
Justice for Dawn Rowan - http://dawnrowansaga.blogspot.com/
Funny Jokes and Pics - http://funnyjokesnpics.blogspot.com/
Dear Brothers and Sisters
Greetings!
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas there seems to be even more
darkness, conflict and despair in the world around us. That means for
us, as Christians, we must think even more carefully and deeply about
Jesus -- the baby born in Bethlehem's stable.
Many people are afraid of the dark, whether it be the absence of light
around them or fear of the unknown in their personal lives or the world
at large.
Despite all this we need to think and meditate about Jesus....
"a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not
overpower." St. John ch. 1 v. 5
St. John's Gospel goes on to remind us of the facts of Jesus' birth....
"That he was born into a world which did not recognize him and a people
that did not receive him." St. John Ch. 1 vv 10 & 11
So, as we approach another Christmas we must show the world around us
that Jesus is a light in the dark which never goes out, a burning light
which takes the terror from the night and moreover, a light on which we
should fix our eyes not least when the clouds appear to be gathering
around us.
Just as the baby in the stable is the focal point of our Christmas
celebrations, so we must affirm and witness to the fact that Jesus is
the light upon which shines out from our personal and corporate lives at
all times.
Again and again we need to ask ourselves "What would Jesus do, what
would Jesus say". Then, our thoughts and ideas of His actions and words
must be translated into the daily life of our community -- particularly
in this Holy Land.
Similarly, we have to convince the world's political leaders that the
true peace will only come on earth when we seek God's will for his
people....not least through the words and actions of Jesus. Nor must we
belittle the fact, affirmed in St. John's Gospel, that to all who accept
Jesus, He gives power to become the Children of God.
This means we must stand alongside all who suffer around us -- the
hungry, the homeless, the unemployed and the bereaved since Jesus tells
us that when we help others we are doing it to Him as though He were
suffering for them.
To stand alongside also involves us in action. We need the light of
Christ to shine on this Land to enable us to work more realistically for
a two state solution which would end the burden of restrictions arising
out of Occupation.
(So we pray for the President-Elect of the USA that he and other world
leaders may see the urgent need for peace in the Middle East and not
least in this Land).
We need also to see the situation in which many are suffering in Gaza in
the light of Christ and make a determined effort to bring them urgent
relief.
Moreover, we must never forget our duty to point our children and young
people to the light of Christ, assuring them that, through Jesus we all
have hope for a better world.
Then we would greet our Sisters and Brothers across the world -- not
least the thousands who have visited this Holy Land recently. It is
important to recall that you are walking in the footsteps of Jesus and
when you pause to see the plight of many of your fellow Christians that
you respond as you believe He would.
We are conscious of all who suffer across the world but for all we
believe the only way forward is to see people and situations in "The
light of Christ".
Be assured of our good wishes and prayers for all of you as Christmas
approaches and may God's blessing be on your homes and families.
Walk in the light and the light will illuminate your path,
Walk in the truth and the truth will set you free,
Walk in the way of peace and you will have, through Christ,
the peace which passes understanding.
(Prayers of the Way: by John Johansen-berg).
Jerusalem December 2008
Patriarchs and Heads of Churches in Jerusalem
H.B. Patriarch Theophilos III Greek Orthodox Church
H.B. Patriarch Fouad Twal Roman Catholic Church
H.B. Patriarch Torkom Manoogain Armenian Orthodox Church
Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, ofm Custos of the Holy Land
Archbishop Anba Abraham Coptic Orthodox Church
Archbishop Swerios Malki Murad Syrian Orthodox Church
Archbishop Abouna Mathias Ethiopian Orthodox Church
Archbishop Paul Sayyah The Maronite Church
Archbishop Youssef Jules Zreyi The Greek Melkite Church
The Rt. Revd. Suheil Dawani The Anglican Church
The Rt. Revd. Mounib Younan The Lutheran Church
The Rt. Revd. Pierre Malki The Syrian Catholic Church
Fr. Rafael Minassian The Armenican Catholic
Church
--
Shalom/Salaam/Pax! Rowland Croucher
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/ (20,000 articles 4000 humor)
Blogs - http://rowlandsblogs.blogspot.com/
Justice for Dawn Rowan - http://dawnrowansaga.blogspot.com/
Funny Jokes and Pics - http://funnyjokesnpics.blogspot.com/