THIS Christmas we pray that people will understand the universality of the message of Christmas, that God’s love embraces everyone.
Just like the Gospel of Luke records the birth of Jesus, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10, 11).
No person or group holds the good tidings of great joy for itself at the exclusion of others; no one is outside of God’s healing presence.
It is clear by the announcement of the good tidings that God’s divine love gives no more to one than another; that love embraces us not according to religious creed, race, rich, or poor, but by love.
It is by His healing works, purifying the hearts and minds of sinners, raising the dying and the dead back to life that Jesus Christ showed us that the love of God was present and is for everyone.
Scripture describes the all-embracing reason for Jesus’ appearance: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
“God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:16, 17).
This saving grace of God, the spirit of Christ, which Jesus fully expressed, is an eternally present and healing power.
In humble acknowledgment of His grace we see that God’s love embraces each one of us.
It is for this reason that we join President Edgar Lungu in wishing the Zambian people a merry Christmas, God’s blessings, protection, love and peace during this festive period.
Encouraging the people to spend time with their families and, if they could, extend their help to the needy in society is the best message from President Lungu which should be appreciated.
Christmas could be a great time of year but it can also be a difficult or bad period depending on how one celebrates the festive period.
We believe it is for this reason that President Lungu has urged motorists to be extra cautious on the roads to avoid accidents to preserve life.
The improved road network should not be the catalyst for the country’s high road fatalities.
We are, however, encouraged by the number of police checkpoints that have been mounted in strategic places to curb drink-driving.
On the other hand, we remind our men and women in uniform that these checkpoints should be meaningful and not just inconvenience motorists or be used as money-making ventures. We need to see the results!
We also urge parents to control or regulate their children from indulging in illicit activities during the festivities because it is common for some parents to go to an extent of giving children cars to drive around.
Binge drinking, especially by children at some shopping malls, is unbecoming during festivities and should be checked.
We similarly urge Zambians that as they look to 2016, they should remember that politics is meant to make a difference in society.
It is, therefore, our hope and prayer that people will be inspired next year to make this country a more compassionate and productive one.