At Advent worship, Forum for Naga Reconciliation stresses humility as path to Naga unity

DIMAPUR — The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) held its Advent worship programme for Naga tribe hohos, Naga political groups and the public on Sunday at Chümoukedima Ao Baptist Arogo (CABA).

Speaking on the theme “The Humility of God,” Dr. Villo Naleo, secretary of Social Concern under Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), said that in the ancient world, humility was neither admired nor valued, while honour was regarded as the highest human virtue.

He said that the crucifixion of Jesus became the defining moment that transformed humility into a virtue.

Through Christ’s suffering and death, humility—once rejected—became an honoured moral ideal in Western thought.

He added that Christ “took on” incarnation, the form of a servant, obedience to the Father’s will, and the way of the Cross, not because He needed to understand suffering, but to help humanity relate more closely to Him.

Naleo reminded the congregation that only three human beings were ever created in perfection—Adam, Eve and Jesus Christ—and urged them to surrender pride, division, prejudice and superiority.

He encouraged believers to stand with the disadvantaged when necessary, to give rather than demand, and to pursue peaceful paths of negotiation and understanding.

Addressing Naga political groups, he remarked that “the battle has changed.”

What once relied on the gun, he said, now depends on the people. True national progress, he stressed, requires honouring public mandate.

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While extending greetings, Rev. Puni Mao, a member of NSCN (IM) collective leadership, said that Nagas, a people with a unique history and identity, have walked through pain and misunderstanding, yet continue to believe that truth and justice will prevail.

For Nagas, he said, reconciliation is not a slogan but the only road on which their future can stand.

He said the greatest victory for the Nagas will not be written in documents but in transformed hearts, urging all to walk together without fear and to embrace the costly path of forgiveness, justice and unity.

Dr. Akito Zhimo, pastor of the Council Headquarters Church (Unification), said that it is not too late, and called on the people to “cry for peace” and cultivate unity.

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Thejao Vihienuo, convener of Nagaland Tribe Hohos Coordination Committee, called for humility, repentance and renewed prayer.

P Tikhak Naga, convener of Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG), said that the day was historic, possibly the first time Nagas from across the homeland had gathered under one roof to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

He said that God has used the FNR mightily and what once seemed impossible has been made possible through divine help.

Neli Mao, pastor of Mao Baptist Church, Chümoukedima, cautioned that the longer factionalism rages, the deeper the injury it inflicts on collective thinking.

Public frustration, he warned, is growing. Unless they overcome factionalism, they will become the hurdles to their own destiny, he said.

Col. (Retd.) Isak Sumi, convenor of WC-NNPG, said that without divine mandate, Nagas would long ago have been overwhelmed and assimilated by major cultures.

He cited the re-establishment of modern Israel in 1948 as an example of God’s redemptive plan, and said Naga leaders and workers must imbibe Christ-like character for the nation to endure.

Rev. Seksim Kasar, general secretary of the Council of Nagalim Churches, Hebron, urged Nagas to follow the guiding star with faith and commitment, and to become “the unique star” leading towards peace and solution.

Delivering his message, Dr. Visier Sanyu, FNR member, said there can be no true reconciliation without repentance. Advent, he said, reminds believers that even in darkness, uncertainty and fear, the light of God continues to shine.

He added that the Naga story is one of hope and waiting: for healing, justice and unity. But reconciliation, he said, does not begin with politics or agreements; it begins in the heart and with humility.

“Yet today we must speak the truth,” he said. “In the name of nationalism and patriotism, we have sinned against God and humanity. Brothers have killed brothers. Words and weapons have wounded the body of Christ. We have justified violence and hatred in the name of noble causes. No cause can be holy if it destroys life made in the image of God.”

He reiterated that unless the people repent, there can be no true reconciliation, noting that repentance is not weakness but the beginning of strength.