Dear friends of AJAN,

As I sit to write my Christmas reflection, a favourite Scripture quote comes to mind: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth.” (Jn 1:14) This passage from the Prologue of the Gospel of John was described by renowned author Jean Vanier as an “extraordinary vision of the healing of humanity”.

God’s vision for our healing (renewal) and our salvation begin with the birth of His Son Jesus that we are celebrating. During his earthly life, Jesus invited his disciples to share his vision of humanity and his mission to bring “life to the full” to all, especially the poorest, to those who most needed his love and healing.

At Christmas, God’s goodness breaks out, to be revealed to all people, with a preferential attention for the hapless, the marginalized and the poor of our milieu. The son of God is born anew in our hearts and our lives, renewing his appeal to work for a society of peace and solidarity, and to bring his Good News to the poor, to reach out to the sick, to widows and orphans… to those who are vulnerable, “like sheep without a shepherd” (Mk 6:34).

At the level of AJAN, I recall our multifaceted support for people with HIV so that they may live in dignity and self-sufficiency; our care for children orphaned by the pandemic; our educational activities for young people so vulnerable to HIV infection and desperately in need of the right guidance, and so much more. And I recall too your presence by our side and your generous support that makes our work possible. All these things are manifestations of the network of love and solidarity that Emmanuel, God with us, has come to build and that he longs to see grow more and more.

Despite the challenges posed by the tasks at hand and the present time, we look to the future, armed with the hope of Christmas, and praying that the child Jesus may renew in us his graces and unite us in a stronger network of men and women ever more eager to do good.

Again I turn to the Gospel of John: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” (Jn 1: 4,5) May his light full of graces and blessings shine upon you, your colleagues and your families, and accompany you throughout the new year.

The AJAN team joins me to wish you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2014!