Die raw, heart-breaking cries and anger probably echoed through every street. The despair and desolation of the events that night must have been heard on every town square. Is there anything worse and cruel than the tyranny of child murder? A power drunk, egoistic and cruel ruler that announced genocide without ceremony - a decree that would eradicate and tear apart the dreams and hearts of parents. It would close the life scripts of people with beautiful hopes and dreams by simply snapping his fingers. It would lead to disruption and leave words like loss and hate on the lips of people.

Christmas is not only a fairy-tale filled with bright stars and metaphors. It is a deeply entwined mirror image of our human experience. It is a story of Herods, a story of squashed dreams and a story of a broken world. it is a story of a Child that would end up on a cross... The heavenly stars seem to have brought not only light, but also cast shadows... In these shadows we find the true meaning of Christmas - in the deep dusk, where light and dark fight an eternal battle to win our souls. This is where the light of the Child in the manger bring about the possibility of a new beginning - in the midst of the hard realities of the world.

Ships also cast long shadows. Jimri and Fruson tell Nico, in Durban, of life lived in the deep dusk. They tell of heartbreak, power drunk Herods, of tragedy and crying. Danie in Gqeberha, on board a huge iron ore carrier is drawn into the shadows by a sailor paralysed by fear and passion... Our other Evangelists, André, Loffie and Chris each tells of men working at sea, fighting the dark with every fibre. So we spend our days - in the shadows.

But, the difference is the Child of the manger. Day after day this Light fights the shadows and dark. On one ship the impact is immediate and life-changing, but on another there is just enough light to help a man getting through the day.

Please do not underestimate for a second how much light your contribution gives. It is so immensely necessary and needed. For that we can only say, on behalf of each of the men working at sea, thank you.

But perhaps it is more than that. Perhaps you also lived in the shadows this year. We hope that you will also be deeply aware of the Light of the manger this Christmas and that you will find hope in that.

Blessed Christmas.

PS. Our bank details are: Christelike Seemansorganisasie. ABSA. Current. 1520-230-226.