Christians in the UAE were urged to be bearers of light and to promote healing, hope and reconciliation that would erase the darkness in a world divided by war and conflict, in Christmas sermons held on Wednesday.
Tens of thousands of Christians across the Emirates streamed into churches and gathered with family and friends to be part of Christmas Day services. Pews filled up quickly in churches across the country on Wednesday, for services in many languages including English, Arabic, Hindi and Tagalog.
In Abu Dhabi, St Joseph's Cathedral was full and many people had to be ushered into the compound yard to watch the Christmas service on screens. Families and friends bowed their heads and recited prayers in unison. They posed for photographs near Christmas trees decorated with bright lights.
Message of reconciliation
Bishop Paolo Martinelli of St Joseph's Cathedral called on thousands of worshippers to be “the children of the light.” About 75,000 faithful were expected to come in to pray at the country’s oldest church through Christmas Day.
“If we welcome Jesus into our lives, we will be children of the light, workers of peace and reconciliation, rebuilders and healers of wounded humanity,” said Bishop Martinelli, who heads the Catholic Vicariate of southern Arabia covering the UAE, Oman and Yemen.
“This is the task that we must live first of all in our families and in our communities. Let us emerge from the darkness of conflicts, divisions and vested interests. The world needs peace but peace begins with each of us, it begins with our heart reconciled with God.”
The Bishop cautioned against allowing war, conflicts, divisions and darkness to consume lives and hearts.
“There is so much darkness in the world, there are conflicts, wars and there is so much of division among people. There are divisions in families. The world seems to be in darkness,” he said. “We must shine in the darkness. We are called to be witnesses of the positive meaning of life.”
At St Paul’s in Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi’s second Catholic church, Maria Cardoso prayed for her teenage son and family in the Philippines.
“I pray that in every major decision and trial in life, my family is guided by God and prayer,” said Ms Cardoso, 46, a contracts engineer who has worked in the UAE for 17 years. “We don’t have family around to be with so the church becomes our big community. I also pray that the world leaders will seek unity and peace and not just economic success for their own countries so there can be quiet in the world.”
Dubai resident Alicia Manj, 52, queued up early for a space at St Mary’s church in Dubai, which became crowded with tens of thousands worshippers.
She bowed her head and recited hymns with a group of hotel colleagues from India and Sri Lanka, one cradled a three-month old infant the family had brought for blessings.
“This is the most special time for us as we think about the past year and what we can do better,” she said. “I have a baby granddaughter I will see for the first time next month when I return home to India. Plus I have the chance to celebrate my colleague's baby. Good health, safety, security and peace for all is all I always pray for."
Take time to listen
Rev Jim Young, vicar at the Anglican Christ Church in Dubai’s Jebel Ali district, also touched on the message of peace and asked about 800 worshippers to allow the power of God’s words to transform people.He reminded the tightly knit congregation to take the time to listen and remember the essentials of faith even when immersed in their busy, hectic lives.
Rev Young said this would allow them to absorb the true meaning of the Christmas season by experiencing the love of God, “in the forgiveness we offer, in the food we freely give to the hungry, in the hope we proclaim".
In Ras Al Khaimah, people gathered around Christmas trees and a nativity scene surrounded with candles. Fr Kent Middleton, the parish priest of St Luke's Anglican Church asked worshippers to celebrate the gifts of love and grace that the holy season brings.
He spoke of the need to open hearts, live with kindness and compassion and share the message of peace, love and goodwill. “The light of Christ overpowers the darkness,” Fr Middleton said. “May we through word and deed, through the lives that we live be a reflection of that light, the bearers of hope and joy.”
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PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Saturday
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Manchester City v Crystal Palace (7pm)
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Swansea City v Watford (7pm)
Leicester City v Liverpool (8.30pm)
Sunday
Brighton and Hove Albion v Newcastle United (7pm)
Monday
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion (11pm)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
4. Change passwords periodically as a precautionary measure
5. Never share authentication data such as passwords, card PINs and OTPs (one-time passwords) with third parties
6. Track bank notifications regarding transaction discrepancies
7. Report lost or stolen debit and credit cards immediately
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Rating: 5/5
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
Business Insights
- Canada and Mexico are significant energy suppliers to the US, providing the majority of oil and natural gas imports
- The introduction of tariffs could hinder the US's clean energy initiatives by raising input costs for materials like nickel
- US domestic suppliers might benefit from higher prices, but overall oil consumption is expected to decrease due to elevated costs
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
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- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
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- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Veil (Object Lessons)
Rafia Zakaria
Bloomsbury Academic
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
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