We are in the Christmas spirit, remembering with an active remembrance the coming of the Christ child. At the beginning of December, the preparatory committee for our 24th general council held its first meeting. The year's end ushers us into a new millennium. All these things lead us to focus afresh on the theme chosen for the council, with its threefold emphasis: "That all may have life in fullness".

During recent visits to member churches, I have been touched by what many of our member churches are doing to bring life to communities in which life is compromised. In the Netherlands, I heard 60 young people articulate their feelings about participating meaningfully in the life of their church, and speak about their social action related to immigrant communities. In Southern Africa, I found churches ever more committed to working through the Southern Africa Alliance of Reformed Churches (SAARC) in a united mission, targeting especially HIV/Aids, poverty, and the long regional history of divisiveness. In the UK, I celebrated the impact of a member church which has been at the forefront of contributing to life through and with Christian Aid.

In Germany, witnessing to God in a manner which addresses anti-semitism, and partnering with churches elsewhere in the fight against economic injustice. In the USA, rising above temptations to division, bringing the church closer to people, and embracing God's call to stay together in effective service. And in many forums in Switzerland, the host country of the Alliance, affirming our Reformed calling to live appropriately in our different contexts while celebrating the common heritage of the Reformed family.

These are just a few examples of the commitment my colleagues and I see as we visit our member churches. We have cause to rejoice, but there is much still to be done. As we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, many millions will be going without food, while others will find themselves without work because of the restructuring of economies to benefit those who already have, but not those who have not. As we enter into this year's Christmas season, let us consider the millions of people in the world today suffering as a result of vicious injustice. How will the year 2001 be for such people if Reformed churches are not fulfilling our calling vis-à-vis their struggles?

Jesus - our Immanuel, the God-with-us whom we celebrate each Christmas - comes so that all may have life in fullness. After 2000 years of Christianity, millions still do not experience this fullness of life. The many chains that bind people on all our continents have yet to be broken. At the 23rd general council (Debrecen 1997), delegates covenanted together to break these chains of injustice. One of the specific actions we agreed on was to engage our churches in a grassroots process of recognition, education and faithful confession regarding economic injustice and environmental degradation.

Our visits show us many ways in which our churches are engaged in bringing life to people, especially through diaconal work. We know that our churches have been active also in the specific area of economic injustice, challenging the new slavery of debt through movements such as Jubilee 2000. For all of this we are most grateful.

More can and must be done, especially in analysing what has brought about injustice in and between our communities and what now threatens the very future of our planet and engaging together in action for change. We owe it to the many suffering people in our world to join in this process in which we covenant for justice in the economy and the earth.

As you read this issue, offer suffering people the Christmas gift of renewed commitment to God's mission.

Setri Nyomi