Article | - 6:53 pm
Special Broadcast Aired on Christmas Day 2024. Here’s a Recap of the Event
On Christmas Day, Bishop Edir Macedo, joined by his wife, Mrs. Ester Bezerra, ministered the blessing to all families with the breaking bread.
Bishop Macedo began the service by highlighting God’s deep concern for those who are suffering. He read from Matthew 25:31-46, a passage that underscores the importance of compassion and service to others:
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me… Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
Reflecting on these verses, Bishop Macedo said, “Jesus cares about the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned. He cares for those suffering—the most needy, the poor… He cares about you… God still suffers alongside the afflicted, those who are depressed, sick…”
The bishop reminded everyone that God views those who help others as righteous and compassionate:
“God considers righteous those who look upon those wronged and help those in need. God will send a piece of bread to your home. I am sure He will provide charitable, kind, and generous people who will give you a piece of bread! God is great. He is Almighty, and He makes Himself known in the lives of those who believe in Him, who hope in Him, and who trust in Him; God will supply this need!”
He also emphasized that acts of kindness transcend religious boundaries:
“Anyone who is of God—even if they have no religion, or are Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Evangelical… regardless of religion—if they have goodness, then you can be sure that this person becomes a messenger of goodness, a messenger of God.”
Following the message, Bishop Macedo and Mrs. Ester Bezerra led a special prayer to bless the bread, inviting families to partake in this meaningful act. The service concluded with an invitation to the New Year’s Eve Vigil, a celebration designed to start the new year with God’s guidance, protection, and strength.
The New Year’s Eve Vigil will start at 10 PM and continue into the first moments of 2025. This special event will occur in every location of The Universal Church worldwide. Join us as we seek God’s direction for the year ahead.
All are welcome regardless of religion or background. Come as you are. For a list of locations, please click here. For more information, please call 1-888-332-4141 or text to 1-888-312-4141. You may also contact us via our contact form (click here).
For those who live in areas without a location of The Universal Church, are unable to commute, or are unchurched and hesitant to attend in person, you may also connect to our Virtual Church via Zoom Conference.
Contributors:
Sabrina Marques (Translated and Adapted From Original)
