From Faisalabad to Lahore: Advent in Pakistan's Christian community
Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad inaugurated the village and Christmas tree at La Salle High School and College. Waiting for Christmas is a time to commit to peace. For the prelate, “we need the Messiah again in our lives.” In Lahore, the Saddar Jhalar Church hosted an interfaith singing event last Sunday, with distinguished civic and religious guests.
Faisalabad/Lahore (AsiaNews) – Pakistan’s Catholic Christian community is involved in communal initiatives of faith at the start of Advent in preparation for 25 December, a period of waiting for Christmas and the start of the liturgical year.
“The Advent season brings really peace, joy and eagerness to reach the city of Bethlehem. It shows how God’s deep love for us, and how Jesus was born for us,” said Bishop Indrias Rehmat of Faisalabad.
The prelate visited the La Salle High School and College, renowned in the area for the quality of its educational offer, to inaugurate the Christmas village and the Christmas tree.
The Lasallian Brothers invited the bishop to open the Christmas arrangements for the Christian community to convey the joy of sharing.
The Christmas tree unveiled last weekend holds the record for the tallest Christmas tree in Pakistan, said the school. For years, it has put up decorations in December ahead of Christmas. This year a model of the town of Bethlehem, the Messiah’s birthplace, was also set up.
The bishop cut the ribbon to open the Christmas village and lit the Advent candles. Several figures linked to the Christmas tradition were placed in the village, which, together with the nativity scene and Bethlehem, were decorated to recreate the moments narrated in the Gospel. The statues of angels and the Three Kings were also included.
In addition to the bishop, priests, men and women religious, teachers, students and others from different social backgrounds attended the inauguration ceremony.
Christmas carols and hymns were sung and the school’s headmaster, Br Sajid Bashir, joined Bishop Indrias Rehmat for the blessing of the Christmas village and tree with holy water.
“I feel privileged to be part of this celebration,” Bishop Rehmat said. “Last night around 1:30 pm I came back from Karachi, after almost one month, and I feel like a homecoming. I see here that Christmas preparations have started.”
The Advent candles that will accompany the coming weeks "will help us grow the spirit of love, hope, joy and peace, because our world needs them," the bishop added, emphasising how much waiting for Christmas is an opportunity to reflect on making a greater commitment to peace.
“War is going on among different countries, tensions are high, life has become really hard, and poor people suffer due to many things,” he explained. “We see again deep darkness around us, so we need the Messiah again in our lives.”
Saddar Jhalar Church on Wali Street, Saddar Cantt, Lahore, hosted an interfaith musical event last Sunday, organised by the local peace committee to celebrate the start of Advent. The singing performance was accompanied by a procession and the cutting of a cake.
The evening began with a series of traditional songs and hymns such as O Come, O Come Emmanuel and Hark! The Herald Angels Sing by local Christian choirs. This was followed by songs performed by Muslim, Hindu, and other singers.
This unique blend of musical styles exemplified the shared values of love, peace, and hope that transcend religious boundaries.
Distinguished guests from various religious traditions enriched the meeting. In addition to Fr Lazar Aslam OFM Cap, other Christian leaders included Pastor Imran, Babu Qaiser, and Pastors Patras John, Amjad Hayat, Samuel Ehsan Khokhar, Lazar Ehsan Khokhar and Khurram Yacoob.
Representatives of other faiths, like Mufti Saeed Ashiq Hussain, thanked political, police and religious leaders, expressing appreciation for their efforts and hard work to maintain peace amid diversity. They also noted that the gathering in Lahore showed unity under the flag of Pakistan.
Civic leaders were also in attendance, including Vice Chairman Neem Shahzad Bhatti and Councillor Esther Shahzad.
The speakers stressed shared human values and the importance of working together to address societal challenges.
The various religious leaders offered inspiring, heartfelt reflections, calling for a collective effort to build bridges and promote mutual understanding.
Special prayers were offered for peace and the well-being of all communities, further highlighting the meeting’s focus on unity.
This remarkable event was a testament to the enduring power of music, dialogue and shared values in promoting harmony. It inspired participants leaving them hopeful for a more inclusive and peaceful society.
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