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EN
Sunday, December 17, 2023 was marked by the celebration of Christmas as a family by the Movement of the Incarnation, Word of God groups of the Douala zone, at Chevreul College (Douala - Cameroon), under the theme « I am the handmaid of the Lord » Luke 1:38a.
A strong mobilization
The fruit of an evangelization carried out by the Word of God groups, the family Christmas retreat in Douala (Cameroon) saw massive participation for this edition. More than 800 people ; young people and adults came to celebrate in anticipation the birth of Jesus Christ, Lord and savior of the world. Like a Christian family gathered together, the participants in this retreat day came from the various Word of God groups of the city, but also from the parishes of the archdiocese, to live this day of retreat and celebration like a multitude of seekers of God.
All invited to respond to God's call
The retreat day begins with the Mass. During this Eucharistic celebration that opened the retreat day, Father Jean Baptiste Ioura KWEDI recalled, I quote : « our mission is to proclaim the word of God. Above all to help others to live fully the spirituality of the incarnation, the incarnation of the Word of God in our lives, to read this Word, to live it in order to please Jesus ». He also pointed out that the Messiah who is to come also wants to be born in the crib of our heart in order to help us incarnate his word every day.
Saying Yes like Mary
The day's teaching received from the founder and general leader of the Word of God Groups, Henri BAYEMI, made it possible to understand the theme of this retreat drawn from Luke 1:38a, « I am the handmaid of the Lord ». As an essential point, he invited the assembly to say a total yes to the word of God so that it may be fulfilled in us. One must therefore not be a mere hearer of the word of God, but must live it. On the other hand, a point of emphasis was placed on the need to make Christmas a season of love and joy, an invitation to make plans of love in order to live this time well. Furthermore, the life testimonies received that day highlighted the fruits of living the word of God in individual life, the family, and the community. Conversions to joy within the family. The moving testimony of a retreatant, Robert AGHOUKENG, highlighted the efforts of love made today to love his wife, he who before was rather quick-tempered, violent, impatient, demanding, and today is a model father and husband, this thanks to living the Word of God in his marriage. Beyond the festive preparation of Christmas, this retreat day was the occasion to refocus on the very essence of this feast in order to prepare spiritually better so as to welcome the child Jesus more fully at Christmas.
Sending the Leaders on mission
The family Christmas retreat was also marked by the sending on mission of the new leaders, deputy leaders, and supporters of the Word of God groups of the Douala zone. A call for this new year to labor more in the vineyard of the Lord so that the reign of God may spread to the ends of the earth.
