The Myanmar Evangelical Christian Alliance (MECA) held a pre-Christmas ceremony to give thanks to God in Yangon in accordance with COVID-19 health guidelines yesterday. Dr Shwe Hluan, wife of Vice-President U Henry Van Thio, and Union Minister for Religious Affairs and Culture Thura U Aung Ko made greeting speeches via videoconferencing. Deputy Minister for MoRAC and officials, the priests and the invited guests also attended the ceremony. During the ceremony, Treasurer of MECA Rev. Thein Tan Tun read the bible while Rev. NC Thwang Tha Thang and Worship Team delivered Christmas sermons. Union Minister Thura U Aung Ko extended greetings and appraised the birth of Jesus Christ. He then sent out good wishes to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the people.

He also highlighted the sympathy and good attitudes among each other to establish a peaceful society, concerted efforts of relevant departments under the leadership of the State Counsellor to achieve peace for the stability and development of the Union, efforts of religious leaders and participations of Christian religious leaders and Christians in such activities.

He extended his heartiest best wishes for the Christians like during this Christmas occasion, may all you receive all blessings from God, may all you be free from COVID-19 pandemic and serve the duties for your religion and may all you be loyal to the country and serve the good sake of country as good citizens. Dr Shwe Hluan, wife of Vice-President U Henry Van Thio, made a greeting speech via videoconferencing, and the guests sang Christmas song, prayed for the country and MECA, preached the Christmas sermons and expressed words of thanks according to the orders of event.

MNA (Translated by Khine Thazin Han)