WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 - Christmas is not merely a celebration of joy and goodwill; it is a profound invitation to reflection and action. In the birth of Christ our Redeemer, we encounter God’s radical solidarity with humanity — especially with the poor, the excluded, and those whose dignity is daily threatened by unjust systems.
At the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), Christmas calls us to pause and re-examine the purpose of our work. The Incarnation reminds us that faith cannot remain abstract or detached from lived realities. God enters history, takes flesh among the ordinary and the vulnerable, and in doing so affirms the sacredness of every human life.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.”
— Isaiah 9:2
This “great light” challenges us to confront the darkness of poverty, inequality, corruption, and exclusion that continue to shape the lives of many Zambians. It urges us to ask difficult questions about how our economic systems function, who they serve, and who they leave behind.
Throughout the year, JCTR has remained committed to generating evidence-based analysis, promoting social accountability, and engaging citizens, communities, and leaders in dialogue rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. From monitoring the cost of living to advocating for transparent public finance management and climate justice, our work seeks to make visible the struggles of those too often ignored in policy and decision-making spaces.
Christmas reminds us that justice is not optional to Christian faith; it is central to it.
The hope of Christmas is not passive optimism. It is active, demanding, and transformative. It calls for courage to speak truth to power, humility to listen to the lived experiences of the poor, and perseverance in the face of slow and difficult change.
As we look toward the New Year, we recommit ourselves to walking alongside communities, strengthening partnerships, and nurturing a faith that expresses itself through action for the common good. We do so with gratitude for our partners, supporters, and friends who journey with us in this mission.
Christmas also invites us into deeper solidarity—with one another and with those at the margins. It is a reminder that meaningful social transformation is never achieved alone. Your support, engagement, and trust enable JCTR to continue bridging faith and public life, theology and policy, reflection and action.
“The Son of God was born poor, to teach us that true riches are found in love and solidarity.” — Pope Francis
May the Light born in Bethlehem renew our collective resolve to build a society marked by dignity, equity, and compassion.
We wish you a blessed Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous New Year.
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR)
Promoting Faith and Justice
"A just Zambian society guided by faith, where everyone enjoys the fullness of life".