A girl lights a candle at Lund Cathedral, signifying one of the five ecumenical imperatives. Photo: LWF/Albin Hillert
Bishop Munib Younan reflects on a “Gospel-centered” faithfulness
(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) celebrates Christmas in 2016 by thanking God for the reassurance that what unites Christians is more powerful than what divides them.
In this year’s Christmas message, LWF President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan reflects on the Joint Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration of the Reformation in Lund in October, which also marked nearly 50 years of continued dialogue. He says the historic event offered opportunity for both ecumenical partners to mutually see and affirm a Gospel-centered faithfulness that is “carrying us from conflict to communion.”
Younan, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, invites all LWF member churches to embrace the Christmas period with joy despite many challenges, because “the beautiful images and messages of happiness often stand in contrast to the problems and conflict we see around the world.”
LWF’s 2016 Christmas card is a photo of a young girl lighting candle at the Lund Cathedral, signifying one of the five ecumenical imperatives, committing Lutherans and Catholics to joyfully witness together in the world today.
Read the full text of LWF’s Christmas message in English, French, German and Spanish.
