The 107th Anniversary of the Sacred Birth of Christ Ahnsahnghong

In December, the month that marks the year’s end, members of the World Mission Society Church of God worldwide celebrated the sacred birth of Christ Ahnsahnghong and reignited their passion for the gospel as they looked toward the new year. On December 22 and 23, a grand celebration took place at the Okcheon Go&Come Training Institute, bringing together over 20,000 participants, including the 81st Overseas Visiting Group, domestic pastoral staff, and title and position holders. Additionally, on December 31 (the 1st day of the 12th month in the lunar calendar), commemorative services were held simultaneously at local churches across the globe.

The event served as an opportunity to honor the love of Christ, who came a second time for the salvation of humankind, and to renew the united commitment of the global congregation to the gospel mission. During the first part of the worship service, Heavenly Mother reminded the members of Heavenly Father’s sacrifice in coming to this earth to seek His lost children and grant them eternal life. She encouraged them to follow His example by devoting themselves to saving souls. “As children of God, who is love, let us share that love with all people—those living without hope—and guide them to Zion, the place of salvation” (1 Jn 4:7–8; Jn 15:1–5).

General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol also emphasized the importance of practicing love. “When we humble ourselves and sacrifice for others, we can bear the fruit of the gospel and complete the world evangelism that God has commanded us to do. In the new year, let us be reborn with love and lead a good change in the world” (Lk 19:12–26).

The second part of the commemorative event began grandly with the Messiah Orchestra’s performance of the fourth movement of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Following the orchestra’s powerful performance, congratulatory performances by members from around the world took the stage. The overseas members who visited Korea as part of the 81st visiting group gave glory to God Elohim through their traditional instrument performances, dances, and vocal ensembles. Among the diverse performances, the Filipino folk dance Tinikling, which involves rhythmic movements using bamboo poles, and the Peruvian folk dance Marinera, performed to the melodies of traditional instruments such as the quena, zampona, and charango, captivated the audience. The teams from Tonga and New Zealand, as well as South Africa and Mozambique, performed each other’s traditional dances and songs, showcasing the beauty of unity and harmony. The audience erupted in applause as the performers moved as one, delivering a vibrant and dynamic performance. Adding to the excitement, video recordings of choral and dance performances sent from overseas members highlighted the unique cultures of each country, creating a rich and colorful experience—almost like a journey around the world.

The central message of every performance was gratitude and praise to God, and a firm commitment to completing the gospel mission. Mother, who was moved by the devotion of the members who prepared the event, expressed her joy and encouraged everyone, saying, “Through this time, we have reflected on the grace, love, and sacrifice of Father, strengthening our faith. In the new year, let us become even more united in love and diligently press on toward the kingdom of heaven.”

Inspired by Mother’s words, the members took these realizations to heart, renewing their determination for the year ahead. Sister Monique Vaitalipapa Mailei from Auckland, New Zealand, shared her thoughts, saying, “I participated in the performance, thinking this is a gift of gratitude to our Heavenly Father and Mother, who have blessed us so abundantly. As we close this year and stand at the starting point of a new one, I will embrace the love that Mother emphasized and always carry a heart of gratitude as I share the gospel and lead many souls to salvation.” Deacon Lee Eun-jeong from Incheon reflected, “Watching the performances of our brothers and sisters from around the world reminded me once again of the sacrifice our Heavenly Father and Mother made to establish the Church of God as it is today. Following Their example, I will work even harder to support the spiritual growth of my brothers and sisters.”

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