Christmas Message 2007

from the World Council of Churches general secretary

Glory to God and Peace on Earth

While visiting Bethlehem earlier this year with my wife, Ruth, we were shown the rolling fields where impoverished shepherds heard the angels proclaim this astounding news:

"To you is born this day in the city of David
a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord!"

We stood in the shadow of the towering wall that separates Palestine from Israel, and I thought of the God of all Creation choosing to live in our midst - completely vulnerable, as only an infant can be. Looking up to the open skies above our walled-in world, I was struck by the majesty and mystery of that angelic anthem:

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom God favours!"

From the Shepherds' Fields, then and now, comes the theme of the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation, organized by the World Council of Churches, being planned for 2011: "Glory to God and Peace on Earth". We believe that, as in the angels' song, these two sentiments represent a spiritual harmony. The revelation of God's glory inspires us to seek peace in the world around us. In entering Christ's service we commit ourselves to a spirituality of resistance, challenging the spiral of violence that threatens our planet. Because God is One, and infinitely gracious, we are called to establish communities of wholeness, justice and peace. My wish for you this Christmas is that you may hear the hymn of the angels afresh, and embrace with renewed energy the vision it heralds. May the knowledge of God's glory fill our hearts and minds, souls and spirits. May the sure and certain hope of this season transform our lives, our homes, our societies, our world.

And may the blessing of the Triune God be with us all, today and always,

Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia
General Secretary, World Council of Churches