The Imphal Naga Forum (INF), fully prepared for the arrival of Christmas, celebrated Advent Christmas on 23rd December 2024 with prayers, singing Christmas hymns, sharing mouth-watering pork cooked with bamboo shoots, coffee, delicacies, Christmas exchanges, gifts, and presentations at its makeshift office in Chingmeirong, Imphal West District.
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The low-key programme was presided over by Ambition Anth, Convenor of Imphal Naga Forum. It was marked by the presence of former UNC President and ex-MP candidate Kho John, and Dr. Chance Raman, Chief Advisor to Imphal Naga Forum, who delivered a talk on the relevance, significance, and spirit of Christmas in modern times.
Dr. Chance R enlightened the functionaries of the Imphal Naga Forum in his Christmas discourse, quoting from the book of Isaiah 9:6: “A child is born unto us, and a Son is given; and the government would be upon his shoulder, and he would be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.” He urged everyone to prepare and receive the Prince of Peace in their lives. “It is you who must accept, embrace, and receive the new-born child.”
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The speaker recounted his experience in Bangkok, Thailand, on Christmas Day, where the city streets, squares, and sprawling shopping arcades were beautifully decorated with Christmas stars, festoons, and trees, but the Thais did not know the new-born child, the Prince of Peace. Christians constitute only one percent of Thailand’s total population, and it is predominantly a Buddhist nation.
The simple event featured intense prayers for peace and communal harmony in the state of Manipur, where thousands of people are without homes on the eve of Christmas due to the ongoing ethnic violence. The Imphal Naga Forum reached out to the displaced people with their prayers, crying out to the Lord with chest beating and thumping of desks. The gathering of the cabinet secretaries of the Imphal Naga Forum concluded with a photo session, and a Christmas gift was presented to every member present at the gathering.
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