The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) has issued its 2025 Christmas message, highlighting the enduring presence of God amid global challenges and emphasizing the call to “persevere in witness,” the theme of the 2024 WCRC General Council held in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

In a joint statement, WCRC President Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson and Interim General Secretary Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi reflected on the relevance of the Christmas story in today’s world. “Christmas arrives once again—not as an escape from reality, but as a quiet light that insists on being seen,” the leaders wrote.

The message notes that the first Christmas unfolded in a world marked by political tension and everyday struggle. “The story did not begin in palaces or positions of power, but among ordinary people navigating uncertainty. When the angels broke into that night sky with the words, ‘Do not be afraid,’ it was not a poetic flourish—it was a lifeline,” the statement said.

Highlighting the global context, the leaders acknowledged the struggles of communities affected by conflict, economic strain, climate crises, and social injustice. They emphasized that Christmas is a time for perseverance, presence, and solidarity: “Christmas has never been about perfection. It is about the radical claim that God chooses to dwell among those the world often overlooks.”

The message also reflected on the WCRC General Council in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where delegates explored ways to live out the theme “Persevere in Your Witness.” The leadership noted that commitments made during the council were grounded in the lived experiences of communities striving for peace, dignity, and restoration.

“Christmas places these commitments into a larger story,” the statement said. “It tells us that justice begins with presence, that peace grows out of solidarity, and that hope can be born in the most fragile of places. The child in the manger did not silence the world’s troubles—but his arrival shifted the entire narrative.”

The WCRC leaders concluded their message by calling on churches and communities worldwide to celebrate Christmas through acts of compassion, courage, and faithful witness. “This Christmas, may the assurance of Immanuel—God with us—settle into our homes and our hearts. May it strengthen the weary, uplift the courageous, and stir all of us to persist in the work of justice,” the statement said.

The full message is available as a PDF letter from the leadership here.