Luke 1:34: "And said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be seeing I know not a man?"

Whenever anything supernatural, extraordinary or unusual is predicted or occurs, the question always asked is how can something impossible become possible? The birth of Jesus was truly the greatest miracle recorded in biblical history so that we might have hope in a time of hopelessness.

So on this advent season, as we reflect on the gift that God gave to the world in the person of Jesus Christ – even in the face of global financial crisis, in the midst of war and terrorism threatening the very existence of humanity, with genocide still raging, disease, suffering and injustice still running rampant in nations worldwide causing so many to live in the shadow of uncertainty – we affirm our faith in the miracle from God that unfolded on that first Christmas over 2000 years ago so that in spite of all that we are confronted with, we still have hope.

Because as God responded in Bethlehem, on that silent night, that holy night, He promises us that even when we are facing the most devastating circumstances we can still celebrate Christ and worship Him and praise Him, who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and He shall reign forever and ever.

On behalf of Bishop Norris, and the entire AME community, I wish for this Nation the manifestation of the miracle of Bethlehem's Baby and Calvary's Saviour in our hearts during this season and throughout the coming year.