Speak language of love, says Welby
THE Archbishop of Canterbury condemned the “languages of hatred and tribalism” in his seasonal message.
The Most Rev Justin Welby told worshippers at Canterbury Cathedral they should instead use “God’s language of love”.
It was a “dangerous illusion” to think that the world’s processes stopped because it was Christmas. “God came into the reality of the world to change it, not to give us an escape from it,” he said.
“God’s language of love is exclusive. It requires us to forget other languages of hatred, tribalism, rivalry, political advantage and of materialism, pride, greed and so many more. God’s language of love is not mushy sentiment. In the Bible we see the richness of its vocabulary.
“It encompasses every aspect of living and every aspect of knowing God. Jesus the adult spoke it perfectly.
“The baby in the manger lives it flawlessly before he can speak a word because by his mere existence he is the word of God to us. It can be spoken by the generous and wealthy and powerful.”
The sermon came after thoughts of peace, joy and sadness were raised in the Christmas messages of the bishops of the Church of England.
They spoke of modern-day challenges – from slavery to political divisions – and urged people to remember those who struggle with Christmas as a lonely or difficult time of year.
Graham Usher, the Bishop of Dudley, recalled a recent visit to Bethlehem but also spoke of divisions closer to home.
“Our current political debates also put up barriers between those who voted in different ways,” he said.
“Our country needs, more than ever, to seek generosity in our political conversation so that there are not winners and losers, just the flourishing of all.”