MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP DATO DR SIMON POH
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to people of good will. (Luke 2:14)
A blessed Christmas!
Every year at Christmas, we celebrate an event that took place on one cold night more than 2000 years ago. It was in a stable in an unknown town of Bethlehem that the Son of God came to be born. This baby Jesus was welcomed into the arms of Mary and foster-father Joseph, amidst the cattle, sheep and animals.
In the fields nearby, there were poor shepherds who had to keep watch over their sheep. It was to the poor and those on the margins of society that God revealed his love and joy. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)
The birth of the child Jesus at Christmas opens the doors to Hope and Life. Just as Jesus comes to humanity, born humbly in a stable, and was welcomed by the animals and shepherds, Christians are called to walk humbly, to care about those who are in need, caring for the animals and our environment that God has created and entrusted to us as faithful stewards of creation.
At the Birth of Jesus, the angels proclaim, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to people of good will.” (Luke 2:14). In Malaysia and in Sarawak, we live as neighbours with various faiths and cultures. In relating to each other as friends and neighbours, we realise that there are many things that we have in common – our hopes, desire for our families, giving a helping hand to each other as neighbours, sharing our duties and especially visiting each other at ‘Open House’ during Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Gawai, Deepavali, Wesak Day, Christmas etc.
As ‘anak anak’ Sarawak we are invited to see the goodness and goodwill of friendship and work together to bless one another in our tanah-air. Let us promote goodwill, friendship, mutual respect and acceptance for our generations to come.
“Christmas isn’t Christmas, ‘til it happens in your heart”
At Christmas, Emmanuel our God enters into the world to live with us, bringing joy, peace and hope. Let us…
• Go and serve the poor and needy.
• Give generously to funds to alleviate poverty.
• Contribute to victims of natural disaster, flood or fire.
• Commit to make education available for all children.
• Reject extremism and fundamentalism in our land.
• Seek to dialogue, engage and listen to each other.
• Celebrate over common fellowship meals.
• Host ‘Open House’ for Christmas and on other festival dates.
• Collaborate for the common good of Malaysia.
• Pray for both spiritual and political leaders of our nation.
On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Malaysia, priests, religious and deacons, I take this opportunity to wish all our Catholics, Christians and friends of good will a Holy Christmas and Blessed New year 2025.
+Archbishop Dato Dr Simon Poh
President,
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia
