The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14a)

In the aftermath of the Newtown tragedy in the US, where a gunman entered an elementary school and massacred 27 people, including 20 children below the age of 10, Governor Dan Malloy said in a press conference, "Evil visited this community today."

In times of inexplicable sufferings like the Newtown incident, or the destruction of typhoon Bopha which left over 1000 people dead in the Philippines, or even when one of our friends succumbed to cancer, most of us would struggle to offer an appropriate response to those in pain.

But in this season of Christmas, we are reminded that statements like, “Evil visited this community today”, should never be the concluding remark to any suffering or tragedy. As followers of the Christ Child, we must be comforted by the fact that, “God visited this world 2000 years ago.” The Incarnation – Word became flesh – assures us that the Almighty God fully understands our pain for He once ‘moved into our neighbourhood.’ (The Message) As a matter of fact, he even suffered for us and with us.

As another year comes to a close, we give thanks to our God for His grace that carried us. If we truly believe that our God is the Emmanuel, then we must also move with confidence into the new year. Let us be the messengers of God who carry the message of hope and life to the weary world. We need to tell the good news of a God who visited us many years ago.

Together with the Executive Council and my family, I wish to you all, ‘A Joyful Christmas and a Blessed 2013!”

Bishop Philip Lok