By Rev. Babu Joseph
World leaders have just returned to their respective countries after hard bargaining at Copenhagen to arrive at a consensus on reducing carbon emissions.

For some time, scientists have been sending warning signals to policymakers and the public to take preventive measures to arrest the increasing levels of carbon emission that is detrimental to the environment. That this is right before our eyes is more than evident from the fact that the earth has been experiencing constant climatic changes. The artic region has been most affected with the rising temperature and that has its cascading effects on the rest of the earth. Erratic monsoon rains, droughts, floods and other natural calamities have been regular occurrences in recent times.

There is a cry for saving the earth from the impeding catastrophe due to the unbridled use of fossil fuels, exploitation of natural resources to unsustainable levels, and rampant utilisation of available land space for non-agricultural purposes. Informed environmentalists have been making a case for taking strong and effective steps to maintain the delicate ecological balance on the earth, or else we will soon face the prospect of living in ecological chaos.

Christmas is a time to remember Lord Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem in an obscure environment - in a stable to be precise. His birth went unnoticed by human beings, but the heavenly hosts remained alert and witnessed it; they sang the eternal song: “Glory to God in the highest and peace to all people of goodwill on earth”. The silence of the night was broken only by the angels’ melodies announcing the arrival of the Messiah on the earth.

The Christmas message of peace on earth to all people of goodwill is as relevant, if not more, today as it was centuries ago. For, there have been a progressive decline of peace in the world and degradation of the environment. Along with some of the worst human disasters that have sullied our history, several outrageous ecological violations have also added to the stock of our collective woes.

The angels’ message of peace is a message for all of creation and I hope and pray that the world leaders will pay heed to its loud call to establish peace and joy among all. May our leaders not permit the white Christmas to disappear, the snowcapped mountains melt and vanish, and the winter and its joys to be history.

(25.12.2009 - Rev Dr Babu Joseph is spokesperson, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. He can be contacted at cbcipro@gmail.com)