Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org

Published on Monday, 4 January 2021

Christmas 2020 that precedes the Jordanian centenary

By Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader :

Over a period of 20 years, the extended Jordanian family has been greatly honored with the bright impression of having His Majesty King Abdullah II Ben Al Hussein II regularly meet with the Christian children of Jordan and Palestine marking the advent of Christmas. Two decades  later, the corona pandemic did not prevent the continuation of this grand royal tradition, where His Majesty, in the presence of Crown Prince His Royal Highness Prince Hussein Ben Abdullah II, met with the  heads of churches In Jordan and Palestine to present his royal well-wishes on the advent  of  Christmas through virtual media networking sites.

 

 His Majesty referred to the magnitude of the challenges facing Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem, and emphasized Jordan's clear and firm position in support of their steadfastness and in standing by their just causes.

 

 The annual meeting between His Majesty the King his Christian children in Jordan and Palestine has several implications and messages addressed to all the countries of the world among which are, firstly:  It is a call for national unity, as well as for Islamic-Christian harmony and alliance in the face of the pressures faced by Muslims and Christians. It also indicates the Christian-Islamic common living and harmony in our dear country has become a model to be emulated and a source of pride. We are always called upon to build on this and preserve it, in its capacity as our Jordanian historic heritage, to the generations to come.

 

Secondly: The meeting of His Majesty the King with the extended Jordanian family is an affirmation that the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites is not ink on paper; it is rather a shared life and heritage. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince quoted His Majesty the King as saying: “It is part of the Hashemites’ religious duty which will be adhered to all the time.”

 

While we celebrate the centenary of the Jordanian state, we also celebrate the centenary of the Hashemite custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites. This matter is neither new, nor a gift from anyone. It is rather part of the Hashemite personality that over the past century has initiated openness, and moderation in dealing with religious matters. It is rather a lesson to all the peoples of Earth.

 

Congratulations to us, as Jordanians, for this solidarity, this cohesion, and this national unity. Best wishes to all the peoples of Earth on the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, the birth of justice, peace, tranquility and healing. In this respect, we cannot fail to thank our nashama members of the Jordanian security apparatuses for continuously performing their sacred duty of protecting and caring for the Jordanian churches  so that Jordan can remain an oasis of security and safety.

 

May God protect Jordan, its king, and the Jordanian people who rally behind their wise Hashemite leadership.

 

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