The Archbishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Justin Badi Arama, has called for peace and unity countrywide in his Christmas message.
In a press conference held in Juba on Tuesday, Badi encouraged the country to rely on God amidst “constant inter-communal violence, and the political dilemma of our country at the end of the transitional period in December 2024″.
“Let us look to the self-emptying Christ Jesus, who put aside power and glory to be born among us in fragility, vulnerability, displacement, and refugee status, to identify with us in our most profound human struggles,” the church leader said.
Drawing from the biblical perspective in the book of John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life”, the archbishop emphasized that the birth of Jesus on Christmas day is a demonstration of God’s love for the world and His intervention in human situations.
He appealed for a genuine, sincere, and joyous celebration as he sends out his wishes.
“Let our welcome to the newborn savior be genuine, wholehearted, and sincere. It is our prayer that the peace that was announced by the Angel on the first Christmas night, remove from all of us the spirit of violence e and increase in us the spirit of joy,” he asserted.
“They will call Him Emmanuel which means God is with us” (Matthew 1:23) hope and peace into the new year 2024. We wish you all a merry Christmas.”