Let us receive God’s peace as we celebrate Christmas
Dec 21, 2010
THE year 2010 is rolling and coming to a close. Many things have happened since January. Your experiences, whatever they were, have left impressions.
Henry L. Orombi
THE year 2010 is rolling and coming to a close. Many things have happened since January. Your experiences, whatever they were, have left impressions.
As we come close to the end of the year, I want you to look back with thanksgiving to God who has carried you through up to now.
Christmas gives us an opportunity to be on the receiving end of God’s gift. Being mindful of the human predicaments and shortcomings over the years God stepped into the history of humanity.
Luke records the words in his gospel: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto us is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.†Luke 2:10-11, 13-14.
The message from the angel to the shepherds is reassuring like the message we need to hear today. “Fear not …†is what Ugandans must take hold of.
There is a blanket of fear and anxiety covering this country as we approach next year’s election. People have the right to fear the future because no one knows what the future holds. When the God who knows the future speaks to his people, we must listen and believe. He controls the future and He has positive plans for his people.
The birth of Jesus signifies God’s divine interest in human life and experiences. God wants humanity to experience his peace and close relationship. The Scriptures describe Jesus as the “Prince of Peaceâ€. I want to declare to all Ugandans that Christmas must not only be a time of celebrations of eating and drinking but a time of submission to the God who gave us His peace in Jesus Christ.
Will you receive this peace personally and share the same peace with your neighbour. Make it your aim during this election season, which falls soon after Christmas, to be a man and woman of peace. Let the whole of Uganda experience God’s peace so that we will make good judgment come the day of election.
This is my prayer for you:-
May all the political leaders preach peace as they campaign because governance is only possible when there is peace. Make Uganda know you as a man or woman of peace because our Lord said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.â€
I call upon the electorate to walk with each other in harmony even if you differ in your political affiliations. Our common good must override our political persuasions. We must belong to each other as Ugandans, work together and live together and yet remain free to exercise our freedom. Create space for each other.
I pray that the security organs will be enabled to provide confidence to the people of Uganda to vote with ease and not with tension. May you be given great wisdom in dealing with tricky situations. May God protect you as you seek to protect Ugandans.
To all Ugandans, I ask God to give you joy to celebrate this Christmas with peace in your hearts and in your surroundings. Remember that God is watching over you. He is our God and will never let us down because your interest is his concern.
My Christmas greetings go to the President of Uganda and his family, the Vice President and his family, the Prime Minister and his family. I send greetings to all the Members of Parliament.
I send greetings to the Kabaka of Buganda and his family and all the cultural leaders in Uganda and their families that God may give great peace during this season.
I greet all the spiritual leaders in Uganda, especially the members of the Council of Presidents of IRCU (Inter Religious Council of Uganda).
May the peace of God rule the nation of Uganda. To God be the Glory for His peace given to us in Jesus.God bless you.
The writer is the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala Diocese
THE year 2010 is rolling and coming to a close. Many things have happened since January. Your experiences, whatever they were, have left impressions.
As we come close to the end of the year, I want you to look back with thanksgiving to God who has carried you through up to now.
Christmas gives us an opportunity to be on the receiving end of God’s gift. Being mindful of the human predicaments and shortcomings over the years God stepped into the history of humanity.
Luke records the words in his gospel: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto us is born this day in the city of David a Saviour who is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.†Luke 2:10-11, 13-14.
The message from the angel to the shepherds is reassuring like the message we need to hear today. “Fear not …†is what Ugandans must take hold of.
There is a blanket of fear and anxiety covering this country as we approach next year’s election. People have the right to fear the future because no one knows what the future holds. When the God who knows the future speaks to his people, we must listen and believe. He controls the future and He has positive plans for his people.
The birth of Jesus signifies God’s divine interest in human life and experiences. God wants humanity to experience his peace and close relationship. The Scriptures describe Jesus as the “Prince of Peaceâ€. I want to declare to all Ugandans that Christmas must not only be a time of celebrations of eating and drinking but a time of submission to the God who gave us His peace in Jesus Christ.
Will you receive this peace personally and share the same peace with your neighbour. Make it your aim during this election season, which falls soon after Christmas, to be a man and woman of peace. Let the whole of Uganda experience God’s peace so that we will make good judgment come the day of election.
This is my prayer for you:-
To all Ugandans, I ask God to give you joy to celebrate this Christmas with peace in your hearts and in your surroundings. Remember that God is watching over you. He is our God and will never let us down because your interest is his concern.
My Christmas greetings go to the President of Uganda and his family, the Vice President and his family, the Prime Minister and his family. I send greetings to all the Members of Parliament.
I send greetings to the Kabaka of Buganda and his family and all the cultural leaders in Uganda and their families that God may give great peace during this season.
I greet all the spiritual leaders in Uganda, especially the members of the Council of Presidents of IRCU (Inter Religious Council of Uganda).
May the peace of God rule the nation of Uganda. To God be the Glory for His peace given to us in Jesus.God bless you.
The writer is the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda and Bishop of Kampala Diocese