wfn.org | LWI 2010-001 Ordinary Shepherds Bear Good News at the Dawn of a New Era

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Ordinary Shepherds Bear Good News at the Dawn of a New Era
2010 New Year Message from LWF General Secretary

GENEVA, 5 January 2010 (LWI) - The message of hope celebrated during  Christmas is equally relevant for the entire human family as people focus  on the beginning of a new year and on changed relationships, says Rev. Dr  Ishmael Noko, general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in  his New Year message issued today.

"The birth of Jesus Christ marks the beginning of a new dispensation in  the history of the human family," notes Noko. Jesus' birth therefore  becomes a basis and source of strength, pointing beyond Bethlehem, "to a  new beginning that heralds transformative hope and expectation for all  people."

The 2010 LWF New Year message is based on Luke 2:9-11, a biblical passage  traditionally read during Christmas celebrations.

"The very historic fact that shepherds who occupied a low social position  in society were the recipients and messengers of such an important  announcement marks the beginning of changed relationships," says Noko.

The general secretary points out that the fearful manner in which the  shepherds received the announcement was representative of the human  condition then and presently. The entire community shared this fear -  generated by oppressive conditions, including lack of trust in the  structure of governance, and in those who are elected to public office.  "It is a sign of subordination and helplessness," he notes.

Ordinary shepherds become the chief bearers of the good news at the  dawning of a new era, Noko adds. (254 words)

The full text of the 2010 LWF New Year message is available on the LWF Web  site at: http://www.lutheranworld.org/LWF_Documents/LWF-New_Year_Message-20 10.pdf

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(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran  tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 140  member churches in 79 countries all over the world, with a total membership  of 68.9 million. The LWF acts on behalf of its member churches in areas  of common interest such as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology,  humanitarian assistance, human rights, communication, and the various  aspects of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in  Geneva, Switzerland.)

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