Remember vulnerable children this Christmas: Reverend Bhagwan

As families approach this time of celebration, feasting, and fellowship, it is important to think about what that vulnerable Christ Child meant.

Pacific Conference of Churches general secretary, Reverend James Bhagwan said it was important to take time to reflect on the vulnerable children in Fiji’s community.

He said to remember children who experience violence and abuse, children who are forced to sell drugs by family members, children who are neglected and physically and emotionally, children struggling with the current academic systems and pressure and children whose parents struggle to provide food and shelter as the cost of living rises.

Reflecting on a passage from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 9, verse 6 – new revised standard version; “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (From the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, Chapter 9, verse 6 – New Revised Standard Version).

“This passage from the prophetic books of the Jewish Scriptures, which today form the Old Testament of the sacred Christian texts (the Holy Bible), was written in a Christmas card I received late last week.”

Reverend Bhagwan said that as families celebrate Christmas, to remember those children whose lives are affected by climate change, political crises, and many other social issues.

“Thousands of women and children in West Papua who are internally displaced will spend Christmas in the bush, forced to flee their homes by Indonesian military operations,” Reverend Bhagwan said.

“Children in the Marshall Islands, Kiribati and Maohi Nui carry the intergenerational effects – of the testing of a total of 277 nuclear weapons by USA, Britain and France (over 600 in the region, including in Australia).

“As we celebrate Christmas, we must remember that Jesus calls us to always remember the “least among us,” to practice love in the form of justice, spirituality in the form of positive transformation and peace in the form of goodwill towards all.”

Reverend Bhagwan added that families are challenged in celebrating the birth of the Christ Child, who would grow to offer love, peace, life and salvation to all.

“To commit ourselves to expressing love in positive ways, ensuring our children are safe, that those who thirst for justice and hunger for salvation, in all its forms, receive it, and that peace – shalom – salaam – shanti – sautu – wholeness, harmony and joy is experienced in a meaningful way in every home, community and heart. May you have a happy and holy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.”

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