Monday 25 December 2023

Sermon for Midnight Mass, St George's Cathedral

 Sermon for Midnight Eucharist  

Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr

The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba

Archbishop of Cape Town

Christmas Eve 2023

Wednesday 20 December 2023

Ad Laos - To the People of God – Christmas 2023

Dear People of God

We celebrate the Advent of the Prince of Peace this year in violent and distressing conditions – war in the Holy Land, Sudan and Ukraine, to name but a few, and tough economic times at home.

The siege of Gaza has led many to call for a “Black Christmas” in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born and which, being on the West Bank of the Jordan River, has in recent weeks experienced an upsurge of conflict and killings associated with the fighting in Gaza.

During our own struggle against oppression, when people were being killed in many of our townships in the 1980s, we also discussed observing a Black Christmas, curtailing our celebrations out of respect for those who were suffering. At that time, we drew a clear distinction between boycotting the secular, profit-making commercial celebration of the season – which was appropriate to the times – and our celebration in church of the birth of our Saviour and Redeemer – which we continued to insist upon.

Nevertheless, the clear distinction we draw as Anglicans between the Season of Advent and the Season of Christmas can help us respond appropriately to the demands of our time. Advent, which we are observing now, is a time of reflection, of contemplation, as we prepare for the coming of our Lord.  So this Advent season, let us focus our prayers, our giving and our concern on those who suffer, whether it is the poorest of the poor in our own communities and country, or those around the world driven from their homes, displaced from their communities, tending to the wounded and mourning the dead.

Then, in Anglican tradition, let us begin the Season of Christmas when it should begin, on Christmas Day, by joyfully celebrating the birth of him who is the hope of the world, more especially in times of darkness and despair.

A blessed, peaceful and very happy Christmas to each and every one of you! 

††Thabo Cape Town

Sunday 17 December 2023

Sermon preached at the Funeral of the Rt Revd Adam Andrease Mallane Taaso

Funeral of the Rt Revd Adam Andrease Mallane Taaso

Diocese of Lesotho

Tsehlanyane, Leribe District: Butha Buthe

Preacher and President

The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba

Archbishop of Cape Town and Metropolitan of ACSA

16th December 2023


Readings: Isaiah 53: 8 -10; Psalm 23; Romans 8: 31 – 38; Luke 14: 15 – 23


May I speak in the name of God the Father, who by the power of the Holy Spirit raised Jesus from death to life, that we might be called to our eternal home, a place that he has prepared for us with joy, the God whom Bishop Adam so dearly loved.

Your Majesty, your Ministers present, dear sisters and brothers in Christ; dear Mrs Taaso (Me' Mats'epo), your children and grandchildren, your families and friends, dear colleagues and guests from far and near. It is with great sadness that we gather here today to offer our condolences to Me' Mats'epo, your family and the wider Diocese and community on the passing of Ntate Adam, a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle, a colleague, a friend, and a Bishop in God’s church.