This Christmas, we are reminded of the light that entered the world in Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago. Jesus Christ was born not into wealth or power, but into humility, bringing a message of love, peace, and hope.
His birth reminds us that true greatness is found in service and compassion.
Christmas is more than gifts and feasts. It is a season of reflection, a time to ask what binds us together as a people of this country.
Fiji is blessed with diversity—different cultures, languages, and faiths. We worship in different ways, we hold different traditions, and we sometimes see the world through different lenses.
Yet we share one home, one land, and one destiny.
The message of Christmas calls us to embrace this diversity not as a weakness, but as a strength. Just as the stars shine with different brightness yet together form a magnificent sky, so too do our varied traditions form the beauty of Fiji.
Love is the heart of Christmas. Jesus taught: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” This truth is not confined to one faith—it is universal. To love our neighbour means more than kind words.
It means extending our hands in service, opening our hearts in compassion, and respecting the dignity of every person.
In Fiji, we have seen this love in action. When cyclones strike or floods overwhelm, we do not ask what faith our neighbour belongs to before we help. We simply help.
We share food, rebuild homes, and comfort the grieving. This is the spirit of Christmas lived out in real life.
It is easy to love when we agree. The true test of love is when we differ. Fiji has faced moments of division—political, cultural, and religious. Yet Christmas reminds us that unity is not the absence of difference, but the presence of love in the midst of difference.
The manger in Bethlehem welcomed shepherds and kings, rich and poor. It was a symbol of inclusivity, a reminder that God’s love is for all. In the same way, Fiji must be a manger that welcomes all its people, regardless of belief.
Christmas is also a season of renewal. It is a time to forgive the past and begin anew.
As we enter the new year, let us commit to building bridges instead of barriers, speaking words that heal rather than wound, and choosing unity over division.
Let us teach our children that differences are not threats but treasures. Let us show them that the true meaning of Christmas is not found in material wealth, but in the wealth of love and community.
Our greatest gift to the world is not our beaches or resorts, but its people—their resilience, compassion, and ability to stand together despite differences. Let us continue to be a beacon of hope, showing the world what it means to love your neighbour.
As we gather this Christmas, let us remember that the light shines brightest when it is only shared.
Fiji, let us stand together. Let us love our neighbours. Let us embrace our differences as gifts, not obstacles.
May the spirit of Christmas fill our homes with joy, our communities with unity, and our nation with love.
Merry Christmas, Fiji & May God bless us All.
The Sacred Heart Cathedral choir sing at the Ecumenical Christmas Carols in the Park at the Civic Centre in Suva, on Monday. Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU
The Bula Smile choir perform during the Ecumenical Christmas Carols in the Park at the Civic Centre, Suva.
Picture: ELIKI NUKUTABU
