Bishop's Christmas Message
One of the recent news stories that has remained with me is about a
woman called Fatima Begum. She lives is in Dhaka, the capital of
Bangladesh. Fatima has a sense of pride and dignity about herself which
is amazing considering the circumstances in which she has to live. Due
to a lack of fresh water, even going to the lavatory is an ordeal.
During the day the lack of privacy prevents women using the latrines in
front of the men. At night there is danger of being attacked or even
raped. To protect themselves the women have to go to the latrines in
groups.
What highlights this poverty even more is that the slum in which Fatima lives is overlooked by apartment blocks in which people live with no real knowledge or regard for their neighbours. They are certainly two different worlds living side by side. They are not neighbours; they are strangers.
After reading Fatima’s story I turned the page of the newspaper to discover that I was being encouraged to buy more for Christmas at bargain prices. This made Fatima’s story even more telling. The consumer market is another world unbeknown to her and a world from which we may find it difficult to imagine the reality of slum life in any part of the world.
But it is not only in other countries where people are victims of poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has reported the depravation suffered by children in this country. While the majority of us continue to grow in prosperity there is a small but significant number of families who continue to live in poverty with the accompanying social problems in health, education, housing and unemployment.
Christmas is a time to celebrate and a time to give presents. Presents are a sign of the love and friendship people have for one another. But present giving and perhaps the expectation of presents can get out of hand. The desire for the latest fashion or gadget can become more important than the friendship the present symbolises. Sometimes people judge friendship more by the value of the presents they are given rather than valuing the person who gives them. That is a dangerous path to tread – a path which can lead to the breaking down of relationships.
What message does Christmas have for Fatima and people who feel trapped in their lives? What message does Christmas have for those who appear to live prosperously but can be enslaved by the very things they desire?
Jesus comes as saviour for all people not just for a few. His coming is God’s proclamation that each and every one of us matters and that we belong to God and also to one another. The message of his birth was first announced to shepherds – people living on the margins of society and often not trusted by others. The angels proclaimed good will amongst all people enabling strangers to become friends and enemies to be reconciled. In that journey towards friendship and the recognition of our common humanity, we discover a freedom which enables us to live in peace with one another and to have a respect for every individual and every culture that contributes to the life of our communities.
With my best wishes for Christmas
Bishop of Clifton
What highlights this poverty even more is that the slum in which Fatima lives is overlooked by apartment blocks in which people live with no real knowledge or regard for their neighbours. They are certainly two different worlds living side by side. They are not neighbours; they are strangers.
After reading Fatima’s story I turned the page of the newspaper to discover that I was being encouraged to buy more for Christmas at bargain prices. This made Fatima’s story even more telling. The consumer market is another world unbeknown to her and a world from which we may find it difficult to imagine the reality of slum life in any part of the world.
But it is not only in other countries where people are victims of poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has reported the depravation suffered by children in this country. While the majority of us continue to grow in prosperity there is a small but significant number of families who continue to live in poverty with the accompanying social problems in health, education, housing and unemployment.
Christmas is a time to celebrate and a time to give presents. Presents are a sign of the love and friendship people have for one another. But present giving and perhaps the expectation of presents can get out of hand. The desire for the latest fashion or gadget can become more important than the friendship the present symbolises. Sometimes people judge friendship more by the value of the presents they are given rather than valuing the person who gives them. That is a dangerous path to tread – a path which can lead to the breaking down of relationships.
What message does Christmas have for Fatima and people who feel trapped in their lives? What message does Christmas have for those who appear to live prosperously but can be enslaved by the very things they desire?
Jesus comes as saviour for all people not just for a few. His coming is God’s proclamation that each and every one of us matters and that we belong to God and also to one another. The message of his birth was first announced to shepherds – people living on the margins of society and often not trusted by others. The angels proclaimed good will amongst all people enabling strangers to become friends and enemies to be reconciled. In that journey towards friendship and the recognition of our common humanity, we discover a freedom which enables us to live in peace with one another and to have a respect for every individual and every culture that contributes to the life of our communities.
With my best wishes for Christmas
Bishop of Clifton
Images
© Clifton Diocese 2010 | Disclaimer
