We present him to all as Saviour and Lord

Christmas Message from His Grace The Most Rev. Cosmore Matthias Pompey OM. MO, Archbishop & Primate of the Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.

Hail, thou ever blessed morn!

Hail, redemption’s happy dawn!

Sing, through all Jerusalem

Christ is born in Bethlehem

Brothers and sisters, Christmas is a time of love, joy, peace, caring, sharing, giving and receiving; it should not be used as a time for envying, revelling, drunkenness, murders and such like, for it will not reflect positively on the life of Him whose birth we celebrate, thus taking away the true meaning of Christmas. {{more}}

Jesus Christ is indeed a perfect example for us to follow. His humility from the cradle to the grave, from the earth to the sky was no co-incidence. He grew up knowing that his mother was turned away from the inn because there was no room and had to give birth to him in a manager where oxen feed on hay. He did not use this to become a bad boy, but instead, when his parents sought him, he was found among doctors and lawyers asking and answering questions. He spent time with his father at his carpenter’s shop, he preached in towns and villages, healing the sick, bringing the dead back to life, giving sight to the blind, making the lame to walk, the dumb to speak, doing good everywhere he went, yet he was mocked and scorched.

We present him to all as Saviour and Lord, for it was the angel’s good tidings which brought joy to the Shepherds. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.” This was indeed good news: “For the Son of Man is come to seek and save those that are lost”.

There is some hope for the criminals and would- be criminal, it is high time for you to put down those murder weapons. Twenty eight (28) murders at the time of writing is certainly beyond our tolerance. Let this season bring about the awareness of love, joy, peace and caring. Remember when someone is murdered a life is cut short, leaving a family in grief and the nation in mourning; the question we ask, when will all these killings stop? We are only prepared to accept one answer, Now! Let the prayer of your heart be to live peaceable with all men and allow the Christ of Christmas to rule in your heart.

The year 2004 can never go unnoticed. The spate of murders, Hurricane Ivan, flooding, land slides, earthquakes all serve as a reminder for us that the signs of the times are everywhere, our redemption draweth nigh. Let us be thankful to God and live our lives unto him.

At this Christmas and always, let us remember those who do not have and whose Christmas will be a lonely one. Special mention must be made of the disabled and elderly, let us share as we care for them.

The year 2005 will be a special one for me, it will make 20 years since I was enthrone as Archbishop and Primate of the Spiritual Baptist Archdiocese of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I was elected on the 20th January 1985 and I was enthroned on 14th April in that same year. All Spiritual Baptists and well-wishers can look forward to special services of celebration to mark such occasions.

My wife Mona, children, and our Archdiocesan Council join me in wishing our Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, other parliamentarians, the media, the sick, the less fortunate, the depressed families, the Christian communities and all a spirit filled Christmas and a prosperous New Year. May God help us to stay alive in 2005.

God Bless you

+Cosmore

St. Vincent