Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing

The joyful song of Christmas is a song for the whole creation – Earth, heart, heaven and nature. The Lord is come as God’s expression of hope for peace and goodwill in a world where human greed, a lust for power and a display of selfishness rob the world of its true beauty. The Christian believes that Christ’s coming is God in human form, God as a present help in times of trouble. The whole creation can sing because God has made an entrance into the midst of its misery and opened doors to untold possibility for a new day. “And His name shall be called Emanuel, God with us” (Luke).

Stories like the recent mass shooting in the United States, which claimed twenty-eight lives; the Cyclone in Samoa, which devastated the land, claimed lives and left many homeless; and the millions of starving, malnourished and dying children, around the world, may raise questions as to whether we can in fact sing a joyful song at this time. However, joy can indeed be the hopeful soundings of the world and to the world; because joy is grounded in a relationship, of confidence and trust, with the God whose love for the world knows no measure; and whose presence among us reminds us that we are not ever alone, the basis for our peace and security.

Council for World Mission (CWM) dares to believe that its mission is to proclaim the glorious gospel of God, that is the Good News of God’s ongoing interest in and concern for the wellbeing of the whole creation. In that sense we know that blind optimism is not hope but irresponsible proclamation. CWM believes that hope is grounded in a radical and stubborn resistance to anything that robs creation of its capacity to sing; and a relentless pursuit for justice in the face of oppressive systems, structures and lifestyles. Therefore, in celebrating Christmas CWM affirms God’s provision for life in fullness and God’s invitation for all humanity to participate in this life-giving mission.

At this Christmas time we salute you with the message of hope and goodwill and invite you to join in the song of joy. Our prayer is that you will find peace and security in your relationship with God and that the spirit of Christmas will give you cause to celebrate.

A joyful Christmas to everyone and best wishes for the coming year, 2013.

Collin I. Cowan
General Secretary