On December 1, 11:00 am at the Assembly of God’s Church, Nongthymmai Pohkseh, the Shillong Auxiliary organized a very grant Farewell and Thanksgiving programme for Rev Phidolis Dkhar, Sr. Auxiliary Secretary, Shillong auxiliary, who had put in 18 years of service as Auxiliary Secretary.

All the important leaders in the Shillong Auxiliary such as, Auxiliary Committee Members, Branch Leaders, Women and Youth leaders were present at the Farewell and Thanksgiving programme.

The family of Rev. Phidolis Dkhar – his wife Tryially Lyngdoh, his son Philip, his daughter Evangeline Marbaniang and son-in-law Riewehkupar Kharsynteiw graced the occasion with their presence. The programme was concluded with tearful yet a heart full of thanks to Rev. Phidolis Dkhar by all presence in the function for his outstanding performance for the Shillong Auxiliary.

Jubilee Run was organised in Shillong city on November 24, 2022 by the Regional Bible Women Society Conference in celebration of their Golden Jubilee this year 2022.

On 11th November 2022 at Bible House, a very meaningful Scripture Engagement programme was organised, 65 women gathered for the Bible Study and short message was delivered by Mrs. Bharti Lakhra, one of our Mary Jones Women leaders in Ranchi Auxiliary. We had a very meaningful time of distribution of Scripture to 50 widows and needy women who were present for the programme.

Another 10 bibles were given to the CNI Cathedral members who could not present in the programme due to unavoidable circumstances. The women were rejoicing in God for their thirst for the Word of God is met through the Bible study and with a gift Bible for their own. We give thanks to the ministry of the Bible Society of India and the Mary Jones Women for their voluntary works, and above all, Praise be God who never forsake us!

The inaugural meeting of Valakom Branch, which was formed as the 141 st Branch of the Bible Society of India – Kerala Auxiliary, was held on 14 th October at St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Valakom. Rev. Georgie Varghese presided over the meeting. The Auxiliary Secretary, Rev. Jacob Antony Koodathinkal gave the inaugural address. He exhorted that the vision of the Bible Society is to stand ecumenically with the co-operation of various churches and make the Word of God accessible to everyone in their own language and that the only thing that does not change in a changing world is the Word of God. Rev. Thomas Daniel, Rev. Santosh Tharakan, Rev Devadanam James, Pastor Cherian Chacko, Pastor Ununni Mathew, Major G. Mathew, Br. Saju Thomas, Ms. Minitha Thampan, Mr. Alex Kutty David & Mr. A. Joykutty conveyed their greetings. More than 150 people participated in the meeting.

The office bearers of Valakom Branch were selected: Patron- Rev. Thomas Daniel, President :
Rev. Georgie Varghese, Secretary: Mr. K.G. Thomas, Jt. Secretary: Mr. Shaiju Samuel, Treasurer: Mr. A. Joykutty. Along with the office bearers, 46 members representing various churches were also selected in the committee for the smooth functioning of the Branch.

The message of Christmas is the message of universal love. It is the message of ineffable divine glory and splendour. The message of Christmas is the message of peace and goodwill among all nations.

Christmas is more than a day of rejoicing and festivity. It is a day for realizing the Christ-consciousness. It is a day for remembering the noble deeds of Lord Jesus and his sacred life of pristine purity. Christmas comes and Christmas goes, but let the spirit of Christmas be ever with us all.

Merry-making is not Christmas at all. Christmas does not consist in ringing bells and singing songs, exchanging mutual gifts and sending Christmas cards, and in enjoying rich repasts and heavy dinners and eating cakes.

Christmas is a state of spiritual awakening. To realize the Reign of God within ourselves, to hold communion with the Lord in the chambers of our hearts, to regain our lost divinity, to attain Christ-consciousness, to love all, to include all in the warm embrace of our love is real Christmas.

The spirit or heart of Christ is seriously lacking in the vast majority of persons. The love of Christ is badly wanted. What is Christmas without love, mercy and purity? Everybody wants to exploit his/her neighbour. One nation wants to destroy another nation. Is this Christmas? Is this the teaching of Christ?

Real Christmas never comes and goes. It is eternal. We need to feel the spirit of Christmas not only on one day, but throughout the year. Every day is a Christmas day for a real follower of Christ, for a thirsting soul. Let
that be our yearning and desire !

Rev.Dr.M.Mani Chacko

General Secretary
Bible Society of India