Nagaland: Christian Forum Dimapur celebrates pre-Christmas

Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) held it annual Pre-Christmas Celebration on December 19 at Living Word Fellowship, near Bishop’s House, bringing together leaders and representatives of various religious communities in Dimapur to promote and strengthen communal harmony on the occasion of birth of Jesus Christ. The message was delivered by Pastor Benjamin Sümi of Sümi Baptist Church Dimapur.
The celebration was anchored in the Biblical verse from Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In his sermon message, at the pre-Christmas programme, Pastor Benjamin Sümi said he acknowledged the point shared earlier by chief editor of Nagaland Post, Geoffrey Yaden, that Christians need to stand for what is true and right in God’s side.
He highlighted the importance of interfaith harmony, admiring the contributions of Muslim, Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist friends. He stressed that Christmas was not merely about gifts or festivities but about love, peace, joy, and harmony.
He recalled his own reflections from youth, when an elder described Christmas as a time of joy after a year of toil.
He reminded that Christ’s birth had been foretold some seven hundreds of years before and the prophecy even gave the title as- the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace as eternal names. Pastor Benjamin also maintained that the peace of Christ brings, a peace that is eternal, very different from the temporary peace the world offers
He urged the congregation to see Christmas as a call to build a cohesive society, celebrating differences with boundless love and mutual respect. He reminded the congregation that no religion teaches conflict, but all encourage love and peaceful coexistence.
He concludedwith a prayer that the gathering would spark a global movement of peace and harmony, encouraging the community to continue uplifting one another.
Earlier, exhorting the gathering, Chief Editor of Nagaland Post, Geoffrey Yaden, said that the assembly had a clear purpose, citing Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Yaden lauded the Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD) for organising the programme and recalled that he was among the first members of the Joint Christian Forum (JCF), the forerunner of CFD. He noted that the forum was formed following a massive public rally held after the killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, Philip (10) and Timothy (6), who were burned to death by a mob inside their vehicle at Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district of Odisha.
Reflecting on the tragedy, Yaden highlighted the response of the bereaved widow, Gladys Staines, who, despite immense psychological trauma, publicly forgave those responsible for the death of her husband and two sons. He said her forgiveness was an act of extraordinary courage, adding that Gladys Staines and her daughter chose not to return to Australia but continued their missionary work among people affected by leprosy in Keonjhar district.
Yaden stated that it takes courage to live out one’s beliefs and described such actions as the true path of peace and a bridge for goodwill among all communities. He emphasised that forgiveness of such magnitude was not merely symbolic but a powerful demonstration of faith and conviction.
Urging the gathering to move beyond ceremonial programmes, he called for concrete and actionable steps to promote harmony. He observed that peace dependent on external circumstances was akin to a temporary ceasefire, whereas those who stand for truth despite difficulties experience the enduring peace promised by Christ.
He also appealed to non-Christian communities in Dimapur to help spread the message that all religions in Nagaland, particularly in Dimapur, continue to thrive in peaceful coexistence without communal discord. At the same time, he encouraged Christians to remain firm in upholding truth in society as an example of biblical values.
Concluding his address, Yaden reminded the audience that every individual bears responsibility for building a safe and confident society for future generations and extended Christmas greetings, wishing everyone a blessed and Merry Christmas.
Short speeches were delivered by representatives of various faith communities, along with Insight Imaging, MD (Radio Diagnosis) Dr. Manish Kumar. The Hindu community was represented by Hindu Seva Samiti, Dimapur District, president, Sudip Narayan Dutta and School of Vedas, North East, General Secretary, Alok Pareek. The Muslim community was represented by Muslim Council Dimapur, working president, A. Rahman. The Jain community was represented by Niti Nagaland, managing director, Ajay Sethi. The Buddhist community was represented by Buddhist Community, Joint Secretary, Bijayata Barua.
The program was led by CFD, David Khobung, invocation by veteran church leader and retired pastor Rev.R.P.Murry , welcome address by CFD,president, Dr. Alem Sangtam,songby Ruth, vote of thanks by CFD, Nukshila, closing prayer and remarks by BSI Dimapur Auxiliary,president, Rev. Dr. N. Paphino, president Nagaland Joint Christian Forum(NJCF).