A Christmas message from the Australian Baha’i Community appeared in the Manly Daily newspaper prior to Christmas.
Here is the text of the message:
A Christmas message from the Australian Baha’i Community
Australian Baha’is join with our family, friends and neighbours in their celebration of Christmas.
We recognise the spiritual nature of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
We revere Him as one of the series of Messengers through Whom God has progressively revealed His Will and Purpose for humanity.
The celebration of Christmas embraces universal values of love and peace, the importance of family, and compassion and generosity towards those less fortunate than ourselves.
At the centre of the Christmas story is the birth of a child, and so children are central to the celebration of Christmas. Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess. The future character of our society will be largely shaped by what adults do, or fail to do, with respect to children.
Peace in the world begins from peace in the home. As families or friends gather together this Christmas, may we recognise and celebrate the unique capacities of every individual – child, youth or adult – and the irreplaceable bond that we share with one another.
Today’s world suffers from many ills including war, poverty, terrorism, and environmental destruction.
It is understandable that some despair for the world we will leave for our children. But Baha’is see grounds for real optimism amidst the gloom.
It has never been clearer to the people of the world that this Earth is really one country, of which we are all the citizens.
Baha’is believe that this consciousness of the oneness of humanity is the foundation for the just and peaceful world society we are working towards, and which is promised in the world’s holy scriptures.
The concept of the oneness of humanity has been a core principle of the Baha’i Faith since it began in the mid-19th century.
Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith, wrote: “Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship … So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.”
All human sciences confirm that humanity is a single species, although infinitely varied in the secondary characteristics of life.
The realisation of the oneness of humanity has profound implications for all fields of life, from our personal relationships to the way in which the planet is governed.
It calls for the relinquishment of prejudice, redistribution of resources to overcome extremes of wealth and poverty, and a re-ordering of the planet’s affairs on a basis of justice and equality.
Narrow conceptions of national interest no longer provide sufficient justification for action, or inaction. Instead we must acknowledge that the good of the part can only be served by working for the good of the whole.
Just last week in Bali, 187 countries came together to agree on a roadmap for addressing climate change. Climate change is a global challenge that vividly demonstrates the underlying interdependence of all humanity, irrespective of country, religion or gender.
Their agreement reflects a growing acknowledgement that only by working together in unity can we ensure a worthy inheritance for future generations.
At this special time, we would like to extend an invitation to visit the Baha’i House of Worship on Mona Vale Road, Ingleside.
The House of Worship is open to the public from 9 am to 7 pm every day over the summer period. May it provide a peaceful setting for a family visit or for personal prayer and reflection during the festive season.
We wish one and all a blessed and joyous celebration of Christmas.