Udupi Bishop Gerald Lobo conveys Christmas greetings
Udupi: Udupi Bishop Dr Gerlad Isaac Lobo on Monday, December 23 conveyed his hearty wishes on the occasion of Christmas.
In a press release Bishop Gerald said, “Humankind celebrates the birth of Christ or Christmas without distinction of caste, creed and religion. Jesus is the center of this great celebration. For love of humankind, God became man, and was as an infant. This is the mystery of Christmas. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to mankind.” It is to teach man how to live as a human being that the Son of God became man.
When Jesus was born, the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.” The invaluable gift of God made man, Jesus Christ to this world is peace and harmony. In the world filled with violence, inequality, injustice, poverty, disease, deprivation, intolerance and hatred, ‘eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth’ is not the solution to the problem. It’s only love which can redeem the world. Jesus was born on this earth, in order to love everyone and teach them the way of love.
Prophet Isaiah had foretold long ago of the birth of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. “A woman shall conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will be called Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).” He will be called ‘Prince of Peace’. “The wolf will live with the lamb and the leopard will lie down with the goat; the calf and young lion and fatling will be together, and a little child will lead them. The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play by the cobra’s den, and the toddler will reach into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy.” Peace will reign there.
God is the source of Peace. He is our Peace. Jesus has promised us the same peace, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” Jesus who rose from the dead tells us, “Shalom” – Peace be to you. Love one another and be at peace. Where there is peace, there will be brotherhood, harmony, and co-existence too. “Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be called children of God.” Shall we resolve to be the messengers of peace, to build a nation of love and Peace?
Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu, Valaikum salaam, Love one another – the summary of all these is a life of peace, happiness and love. This indeed is the message of Christmas. May you all have a Joyful Christmas.
