Christmas is the celebration of a God who identifies with human struggles and becomes "like us" in the most vulnerable way possible. The Divine, as an infant, becomes dependant upon God's grace and generosity which are inherent especially in the marginalized, outcast and poor. The birth of the Christ-child reminds us that, while God's grace, love and generosity are intended to transform our human nature, poverty and the poor are not to be idealised and romanticised as so often happens when Christmas becomes a venerated commercial festival. Poverty, in a world that currently produces a surplus of goods, is an affront to all that God intends for humanity. If we are to celebrate Christmas 2004 at all we are challenged to remember God's mission -- to present the child, whose livelihood and well being are stunted while living in a land and world of plenty, as the locus of God's presence and activity.

Christmas, then, is also about God's LOVE which in turn upholds the RESPECT and DIGNITY of all human life. There are many ways in which we can strive to uphold this respect and dignity. My humble request, this Christmas, is that you consider one, small, basic step that would contribute toward making LOVE, RESPECT and DIGNITY a tangible reality for the poorest in South Africa. I urge you to support the advocacy calls on the South African government to implement a BASIC INCOME GRANT or B.I.G. as one measure of a comprehensive social security package that would address the inequity of wealth an d poverty we have inherited as a legacy of apartheid. The government could show its commitment to redressing poverty by extending the Child Support Grant to every 18 year old child in South Africa. This will ensure that in targeting the poorest, the indigent and the most vulnerable, our nation will be lifted out of the destitution, despair and the trap of income poverty and cashless-ness that confronts between 15-20 million citizens.

Moreover, the B.l.G. is a practical way of enabling all in this nation to SHARE with the poor our abundant resources and to CARE for them as all God's people should. As we celebrate the birth Of Jesus and as we enter into the second decade of democracy, let us call to mind Jesus' promise for us to "enjoy life in all abundance." Let us pray that all God's people may ultimately share in the rights, joys and hopes that God and our Constitutional democracy envisage for us and, may no one be excluded.

The God of Love bless you abundantly this Christmas and be with you throughout the coming New Year.

The Rev. Dr Molefe Tsele
General Secretary
South African Council of Churches