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“A World Of Wonder And Delight”: Christmas Messages 2011…

  • December 26th, 2011
  • Posted by EUEditor

barrier-reef-coralcoeorg.jpg blackforest-all-free-photos.jpgChristmas celebrations in 2011 were marked with calls for the protection of innocents, love of family, and salvaging of the Earth itself.

Pope Benedict XVI in Rome said the earth was “stained with blood”, praying for the victims of war in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, and for victims of natural disasters.

The Christian festival, as sometimes will happen, saw the creation of martyrs. More than forty people were killed in a round of bigotry and religious hysteria in Nigeria, by bombs set off while they were in church, on Christmas Day (25.12.11).  Blasts were recorded in the capital, Abuja, Jos in the centre of the country, and other places, in the North-east. Friction between Christian and Islamic communities in Nigeria has got worse in recent years.

Queen Elizabeth II in England gave her Christmas address on the importance of family and community ties, recalling the relief efforts at the time of the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand, and the floods in Australia at the start of 2011.

“Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit”, she said.

In times of climate change the land itself has found its way more into the prayers to God at Christmas:

“We thank you for this world of wonder and delight. You have given it to us to care for, so that all your creatures may enjoy its bounty.” (Anglican service, Australia).

 

Pictures  Great Barrier Reef coralcoe.org.au; Black Forest – all-free-photos Â