CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE PROVINCIAL HEAD OF LAITY
Dear Brethren, Peace be with you all.
It is Christmas again and by the Grace of God we have a privilege to celebrate. “An Angel of the Lord appeared to [the shepherds], and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11)
Christmas comes with joy and is the most wonderful time of the year that comes with family reunions and celebrations. We join family and friends to support each other and share the goodness of God.
It is time to remember that our faith and hope are in Christ whose birth we celebrate in Christmas. It is also time for us to plant the seeds of hope and to shine our light to those around us. It is a time to rethink our relationship with Christ, our hope and faith in him, and to share our love as we sing joy to the world.
This year may not have been what any of us expected, but we can still make it count. The burdens, the challenges, the hustles, and troubles have been hard to bear, but we can still count our blessings, thank God and declare victory in the coming because He is our living Hope.
He is Emmanuel (God is with us). Revelation 21:3 says, “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” In Christmas we celebrate the coming of Jesus to our place, to take our place and to invite us to his place. It is a joy to connect with God.
As we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, heartfelt congratulations go to the Dioceses of Mukono, Muhabura, and Namirembe for successful episcopal transition and pray for the Diocese of Luwero as they go through a difficult time. That too will come to pass. I also congratulate the Christians of West Ruwenzori and East Busoga for their newly inaugurated Dioceses.
The episcopal succession conflicts in our Dioceses show that we have failed the test of uniting for service. Brethren, the court cases against the Church by “concerned Christians” are unfortunate and regrettable and can only undermine the foundation of our faith and question the integrity of God’s ministry. Am comforted by the fact that the church belongs to God and even the gates of hell shall not prevail on it.
Lastly, honour our leaders and pray for them because all leadership comes from God (Rom: 13). Support them in their ministry and programmes to make most of the limited available resources. “Do not touch my anointed ones, do y prophets no harm” (1 Chron.16:22). Let this Christmas be a constant reminder that we can do better at building a united body of Christ.
On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I wish you peaceful Christmas Celebrations and a happy New year 2024
