Tone down Christmas celebration, reach out to conflict victims: AMCO
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2023: The All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) has appealed to all Churches and Christians to tone down the Christmas celebration this year with prayers for healing Manipur and extend helping hands to those who have been affected by the current crisis.

In a statement issued by its president Rev Simon Raomai, AMCO appealed to the Christian community to forgo community feasts, hanging up stars atop Churches, houses etc, Christmas lights and decorations, and donate the expenses instead to the people who are suffering.

Calling on all the Churches and Christians to celebrate a Christmas that truly embodies the spirit of love, peace, forgiveness and reconciliation as taught by Lord Jesus, AMCO appealed to the people to observe some symbolic acts and practices for healing Manipur.

It appealed to the people to observe candle light vigils for peace on Christmas eve, organise inter-ethnic community prayers and charity events for helping conflict affected families.

"On Christmas eve, let our communities come together to light candles, signifying the hope Christ brings into our world's darkness, praying earnestly for peace and understanding in Manipur," said AMCO.

It urged the people to organise inter-ethnic community prayers with members of different ethnic groups to strengthen shared faith and commitment to unity.

"Let us embody the spirit of giving by organising charity events to support those afflicted by the conflict, reflecting Christ's compassion and love," AMCO said.

This year, let the Church services be more contemplative, with sermons and prayers focusing on peacemaking and the restoration of faith between communities, it said, urging leaders of all Churches in Manipur to join and guide the people to unite all communities and steer them towards honouring Christ's teachings.

"Let us heed the words of Matthew 5:9, "Blessed the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.

This Christmas, let our action mirror the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing our collective aspiration for peaceful and harmonious Manipur," said Rev Simon Raomai.

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