December 6, 2004

GENEVA - This Christmas season, the Lutheran communion offers a gift of renewed commitment "to sing the song of hope for people everywhere," says the President of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Bishop Mark S. Hanson in his Christmas Message.

The LWF President's message, addressed to members of the worldwide Lutheran communion invites people to listen to the angels' song announcing the birth of a Savior in a world that trembles and weeps over many acts of humanity including genocide and environmental degradation, separation walls and warring people, as well as exploitation and domination..

The LWF President reiterates the angels' song and God's love for the world "as we bring water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, justice to those treated unfairly, dignity to the victims, and hope for all creation through the transforming message of salvation."

Hanson is presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (173 words)

Full text of the Christmas Message from LWF President Mark S. Hanson follows:

Christmas 2004 Message from Bishop Mark S. Hanson President of the Lutheran World Federation

Dear sisters and brothers in the worldwide Lutheran communion:

"For God so loved the world . . ." begins the familiar verse from the Gospel of John.

Is it still true? Does God not see what humanity is doing to the world so loved by God? Is this world still loved by God as it trembles and weeps over genocide and environmental degradation, separation walls and warring people, exploitation and domination?

Listen. The song of the angels interrupts our trembling and weeping, announcing the birth of a Savior, praising God, and proclaiming peace on earth. The song of the angels becomes our song, and 65 million Lutheran Christians throughout the world joyfully proclaim the Word become flesh.

We sing with joy and strength because God is present whenever the Word is proclaimed and the bread and wine shared. We become Christ's Body in and for the sake of the world. We confess that the work and ways of God are revealed most fully in Jesus Christ and acknowledge that Christ is revealed most deeply in brokenness and suffering.

As we once again sing the angels' song this Christmas season, the gift we offer as the Lutheran Communion is our renewed commitment to sing the song of hope for people everywhere. We sing it as we bring water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, justice to those treated unfairly, dignity to the victims, and hope to all creation through the transforming message of salvation. God indeed dwells with us, taking on the suffering of the world that God still loves so well.

Let us together, each in our own language, sing the angels' song: "Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace among those whom he favors" (Luke 2:14).

In God's grace,

Bishop Mark S. Hanson, President
The Lutheran World Federation

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