“Take courage; I have conquered the world.” (John 16,33)
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
1. As we draw near to the close of the activity year 2025, I want to pause and express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you. Your dedication, resilience, and teamwork have carried us through challenges and enabled us to achieve so much together for the glory of God and the good of the people we serve.
Advent: A season of hope
2. On Sunday, 30th November 2025 we will be ushered into the liturgical season of Advent. During this season the Church invites us to journey with hope in the spirit of deep reflection, repentance, joyful expectation and renewed commitment to the Gospel.
3. The liturgical rhythm of Advent is not mere ritual; it is a spiritual journey that strengthens us to face the realities of our time with faith, hope and courage, expecting and knowing that Jesus is coming to put everything right. Indeed, at his first coming into our human history, Jesus already laid the foundation for things to be right.
Advent: A Season of Preparation
4. It is important to be conscious of the fact that Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas; it is a profound spiritual journey of waiting, watching, and preparing our hearts for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ — both in the mystery of His Incarnation and in His glorious return at the end of time. Further, Advent is a time of courage and trust, especially in the midst of the challenges we face in our daily living as individuals, as secretariat community and as a nation.
5. The four candles of the Advent wreath which is found in our churches during the four weeks of this season remind us of the progressive light that grows as we draw nearer to the celebration of the Lord’s nativity. As the prophet Isaiah proclaims: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2). This light is Christ Himself, who came into the world to renew our lives in every respect.
• The first candle of hope, reminds us that Christ is the light who dispels the darkness of sin and death in our lives.
• The second candle of peace, calls us to reconciliation in our families, communities, and nation.
• The third candle of joy, invites us to rejoice in the mercy and magnanimity of God as we echo the Virgin Mary’s Magnificat: “My soul magnifies the Lord” (Luke 1:46).
• The fourth candle of love, points to the fullness of God’s gift in Christ.
Advent in Our National Context
6. In our Zambian context today, Advent has come to challenge us to be bearers of hope amid economic struggles and political tension that weigh heavily upon all citizens. At the same time, ongoing debates surrounding constitutional integrity and governance remind us that our civic responsibilities are inseparable from our Christian witness.
7. Zambia’s challenges are real, but so too is God’s promise of the coming and establishment of His kingdom. The season of Advent is here to teach us that history is not abandoned to chaos; it is guided by the Lord who comes to save us. In this regard, therefore, Advent, is not only a season of waiting; it is also a call to lift our eyes beyond despair and to walk in the light of peace, justice and solidarity; for the Lord himself assured us: “Take courage; I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). Indeed, the Lord is coming, without delay (cf. Hebrews 10:37).
Christ our light in times of darkness
8. Just as the chosen people of God awaited the Messiah with longing, so too do the season of Advent calls us to await the renewal of our lives and nation with hope. The birth of Christ that Advent announces and prepares is the assurance that darkness does not have the final word.
9. It is from this backdrop that I invite everyone to:
a) Deepen prayer and vigilance: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13) - Advent is the time to prepare our hearts for Christ by renewing our commitment to prayer, meditating on the Word of God, and receiving the sacraments. Let us relentlessly invoke the Holy Spirit upon our nation by echoing the words of the Psalmist: “Send forth your spirit, Lord, … and renew the face of the earth” (Psalm 104:33).
b) Practice Christian solidarity: In the gospel of Matthew, we read: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Thus, in the face of economic challenges and social-political turbulences, let us uplift one another, embodying the Gospel of love, compassion and tolerance.
c) Defend truth: As constitutional debates in our country unfold, let us remember that civic responsibility is also a Christian duty. We must all stand for integrity, peace, justice, unity and the common good, while rejecting violence, corruption and division. As the Prophet Amos admonishes: “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24).
d) Witness to hope: Let us not surrender to despair but proclaim with our lives that Christ is “Emmanuel” — God with us. As St. Paul exhorts: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). Remember, hope in the Lord Jesus Christ never disappoints (cf. Romans 5:5).
Let us therefore walk together through the Advent season with hearts open to Christ. May our waiting be active, our hope be steadfast, and our love be generous.
Christmas: A season of joy and renewal
10. Christmas is a season of hope, joy, and renewal. It reminds us of the power of generosity, the importance of family and community, and the light we can bring into the lives of others. I encourage you to utilize the period of recess to rest, to celebrate with loved ones, and to return refreshed for the opportunities that await us in the coming year 2026. Let us carry forward the spirit of unity and service that should always define our institution.
11. On behalf of Management, I wish you a fruitful Advent season, a blessed Christmas, and a joyful and prosperous New Year. Thank you for all that you have contributed for the growth of the Church and enhancement of the mission of evangelization in Zambia. Your efforts truly make a difference.
12. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, who awaited the birth of her Son with faith and courage, accompany us through the coming Advent journey.
Fr. Francis Mukosa
ZCCB Secretary General.
27th November 2025
Download the entire article Fr. Francis Mukosa's Advent message to catholic secretariat members of staff - 2025 here: https://caritaszambia.org/phocadownload/general/Fr-Francis-Katongo-Mukosa-Advent-message-to-secretariat-2025.pdf
