Within the framework of Jordan’s centenary celebrations, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Tal’ Al-Ali, Amman, held a Christmas eve under the patronage of Minister of Culture Ms. Haifa Najjar on Wednesday December 23 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Na’our.

 

In an address at the ceremony, Ms. Najjar said that the Jordanian centenary would have not taken place with this pride, glory, and steadfastness had it not been for Jordan’s wise Hashemite leadership,  which is associated with the cooperation of all components of Jordanian society, namely Muslims and Christians at all levels. She also referred to the contribution that the Christians made to the Arab and Islamic civilizations.

 

In her address, she drew attention to the Christian Jordanian presence over the course of the past hundred years which has expressed a real and rationale participation, as well as a moral and human spirit that is full of positivity where this is what is meant by common living.  She added that this is not an event of the past, but rather an invitation and a message towards the future through the participation in the  second centenary with further hope, work, and determination to serve the Jordanian society with dedication and sincerity.

 

Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader, parish priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media in Jordan, said in an another address that the choir is resuming its activities after a two-year hiatus due to the health conditions and the Corona pandemic. Thanking the Ministry of Culture for including this centennial Christmas eve within the Kingdom’s centenary celebrations, he said: “A few days ago, I have been honored, alongside the heads of churches, to take part in the annual meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II. When His Majesty the King addressed the heads of the Churches in Jordan saying, ‘Merry Christmas and happy returns of the day’, we felt that Jordan is safe and that it is proceeding to the new centenary with solidity, stability and general goodness.

 

 Fr. Bader also paid tribute to the parties that contributed to supporting the Christmas eve including the Ministry of Culture, the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, Caritas Jordan, the Imseeh family, as well as the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Foundation which provided a tablet for each vocalist  thus becoming the first choir that uses environment-friendly modern technologies.

 

Latin Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Fr. Dr. Jamal Khader Daibes, thanked the Sacred Heart of Jesus Choir which instilled in this Christmas eve a special Christmas impression in hearts burdened by the health conditions and its ramifications. He added that this eve gives a new hope, and helps in performing prayer and delving into the glory of Christmas despite the exhaustion that befell mankind by causing the loss of numerous lives.

 

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Choir, lead by maestro Faris Abbasi, pianist Grace Abu Dhaher, the Children choir, including Dr. Hiba Abbasi and a number of musicians from the National Music Conservatory presented a number of Christmas hymns in an atmosphere of joy pleading with the Almighty God to heal the sick and protect Jordan in the new centenary under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II.

 

The eve also included a hymn titled, “There is serenity in the Jordan River” whose lyrics are by late Jiries Samawi and another hymn titled, “A hundred Charismas celebrations in the Land of Baptism” whose lyrics are by Fr. Dr. Rif’at Bader and tune by  Fouad Fadel.

Munir Bayouk/ en.abouna.org