In a festive spirit of anticipation, Mons. Indrias Rehmat, the bishop of Faisalabad, recently inaugurated a village and a Christmas tree at the La Salle International Institute. As Christmas draws near, it is a time for a renewed commitment to peace: “We need the Messiah once again in our lives.” Meanwhile, in Lahore, the Saddar Jhalar church hosted an interreligious music event last Sunday, with distinguished guests from the civil and religious worlds.
By: Shafique Khokhar – Asia News
Published Date:
Faisalabad/Lahore – The Catholic Christian community in Pakistan is also embracing the Advent season – a time of expectation leading up to Christmas and the beginning of the liturgical year – with communal faith initiatives in preparation for December 25th. “The Advent season truly brings peace, joy, and the eagerness to reach the city of Bethlehem. It shows God’s deep love for us,” stated Mons. Indrias Rehmat, the bishop of Faisalabad, during his visit to the renowned La Salle International School, known in the region for its quality educational offerings, to inaugurate the village and the Christmas tree. The Lasallian Brothers invited the bishop to unveil the Christmas decorations to the Christian community to share the joy of giving.
The La Salle school announced that the Christmas tree inaugurated last weekend holds the record for the tallest tree in Pakistan. For years, the institution has been adorned in December in preparation for Christmas. This year, they also set up the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of the Messiah. The bishop cut the ribbon to open the Christmas village and lit the Advent candles. The village featured various figures related to Christmas traditions, including the Nativity scene and Bethlehem, all decorated to recreate the moments narrated in the Gospel, with statues of angels and the Magi.
At the inauguration ceremony, priests, religious men and women, teachers, students, and people from various social backgrounds were present. Christmas carols and hymns were sung, and the principal Fr. Sajid Bashir stood alongside Bishop Indrias Rehmat as he blessed the Christmas village and tree with holy water. Rehmat said, “I feel privileged to be part of this celebration. Last night, I returned from Karachi, almost after a month, and I feel like I’ve come home. I could see that preparations for Christmas have begun here.”
The Advent candles that will accompany the upcoming weeks “will help nurture the spirit of love, hope, joy, and peace, because our world needs it,” the bishop said. Emphasizing how the anticipation of Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on a greater commitment to peace. “Wars are ongoing between different countries, tensions are high, life has become very tough, and the poor are suffering for many reasons – he stated. We see a deep darkness around us once again, so we need the Messiah in our lives again.”
On the other hand, the Saddar Jhalar church in Lahore, on Wali Street, Saddar Cantt, hosted an interreligious musical event last Sunday, organized by the local peace committee to celebrate the beginning of Advent. The musical performance was accompanied by a procession and cake cutting. The evening began with a series of songs performed by local Christian choirs. Traditional hymns like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” were sung. This was followed by performances by singers from Muslim, Hindu, and other communities. This unique blend of musical expressions exemplified shared values of love, peace, and hope that transcend religious boundaries.
Distinguished guests from various religious traditions enriched the gathering. In addition to Fr. Lazar Aslam OFM Cap, other Christian leaders present included Pastor Imran, Babu Qaiser, Pastors Patras John, Amjad Hayat, Samuel Ehsan Khokhar, Lazar Ehsan Khokhar, and Khurram Yacoob. Interreligious representatives like Mufti Saeed Ashiq Hussain thanked all political, police, and religious leaders, appreciating their efforts and hard work in maintaining peace amidst diversity. They emphasized that the Lahore assembly demonstrated unity under the flag of Pakistan. Civil society leaders such as Vice President Neem Shahzad Bhatti and Counselor Esther Shahzad were also present.
The speakers at the event highlighted shared human values and the importance of collaboration in addressing societal challenges. The heartfelt reflections of various religious leaders were inspiring, calling for collective engagement to build bridges and promote mutual understanding. Special prayers were offered for peace and the well-being of all communities, further underscoring the program’s focus on unity. This extraordinary event showcased the lasting power of music, dialogue, and shared values in promoting harmony.
