Les Voeux de la Fédération Baptiste Européenne (in English)

EBF CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

For unto us a child is born......

It would be easy to become weighed down by the challenges which our EBF Region faces this  Christmas of 2011.  Continuing financial crises in Europe, political uncertainty in The Middle East especially the continuing conflict in Syria, and the situation of those facing persecution for their faith in Central Asia. In all the affected countries we have Baptist communities seeking to be faithful in their witness and speak prophetically to their societies.

The Advent focus on the prophecies of Isaiah, the ministry of John the Baptist, and the Song of Mary remind us that uncertainty about the present and the future are nothing new for the people of God. In such a world once again comes the message of the God who has not remained ‘at a distance’ but has come as Emmanuel - God with us.   Over this past year we have heard  remarkable stories of how God is indeed with us and working in challenging situations through the Baptist churches and Unions of the EBF.

We have very special memories of our Executive and Council meetings last September in the Holy Land.  At this time of Christmas we imagine ourselves in Bethlehem and Nazareth once more and pray for these places, and our brothers and sisters in Christ who witness there in such challenging situations

Our EBF President Hans Guderian and Assistant General Secretary Helle Liht, join me in wishing all our EBF family a very happy and blessed Christmas in your churches and among your families.  May the peace and joy of this Christmas time remain with us and give us encouragement and hope in God as we travel on into 2012.

Grace and Peace

Tony Peck

General Secretary