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“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
(Luke 2:8–12 NIV)
Here are some Christmas messages from Australian Church leaders
Chinese Methodist Church in Australia
The Christmas season is a time for good news!
The birth of Jesus Christ was prophesied countless times in the Old Testament before it was
recorded by the writers of the four New Testament Gospels. Isaiah made a clear prediction eight
centuries before Jesus was born: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government
will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6). This prophecy makes it clear that God is intervening in the
world directly, and the baby born is God Almighty, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, full of
glory and wisdom.
The New Testament gospel records that at the birth of Jesus, an angel announced the good news
with the words, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign
to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12). Jesus was
born to save the world. He came to give everyone the chance to hear the good news and become
children of God.
In this turbulent world, people need to hear the gospel of peace. Jesus Christ promised, “Peace I
leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts
be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27). This Christmas season, let the Church of God
spread the good news that the birth of Jesus Christ brings true peace to the world.
Reverend Milton PK Nee, Bishop
Chinese Methodist Church in Australia
Australian Baptist Ministries
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” penned Charles Dickens in the opening line of A
Tale of Two Cities.
The reality of what Dickens wrote is indeed reality today. We live with a relatively low unemployment
rate, a shortage of skilled employment but an increasingly high cost of living which disadvantages so
many. We must admit that while there are advantages to some, there is a significant impost on family
time for others.
Egalitarianism has always been an important part of the Australian ethos. We look at who a person is,
rather than the circumstances they come from. Their race, age, or beliefs should never be a cause for
discrimination. It is at the core of who we are as Australians to help out a mate and to lend a hand to
someone who is down.
Regardless of our circumstances, Christmas is one time of the year we can stop and recognise the
teachings of the Jesus whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. The values of equality, of caring for each
other and living peaceably with others.
I would urge you to stop and put aside the trappings of a commercialised Christmas for a moment and
look at the real meaning of the season. Let’s all take the opportunity to act with justice and care for
the less fortunate and — the hardest of all — to forgive those who have wronged us. That is what the
angels meant in Luke 2:14 when they proclaimed “Glory to God in the highest. Peace to all women
and men on earth”.
May this Christmas be a time of blessing and peace to you and yours.
Reverend Mark Wilson, National Ministries Director Australian Baptist Ministries
Australian Christian Churches – ACC
‘The cost of Christmas’
One of the biggest topics in the community that is currently dominating political agendas and
discussions at kitchen tables is the soaring price of everything. It seems the three most common words
heard in every news bulletin is ‘cost of living’.
It’s a very real challenge for many people to put food on the table and make ends meet. You may have
noticed how many advertisements have been broadcast in recent weeks, with suggestions for
consumers on how to cut costs this Christmas.
The truth is that this season we are celebrating came at great cost. One of the better-known verses in
the Bible reminds us of this in the words of Jesus Himself:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall
not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)
That captures succinctly God’s heart for humanity. Love motivated His extravagant gift to us. That love
transcended His concerns about the immeasurable cost.
As gifts are exchanged this season, consider this: It is possible to give without loving, but one can never
love without giving. Love drives generosity.
This Christmas may I invite you to take time, amongst all the activity that comes with this time of year,
to express your gratitude for Jesus – that priceless, incomparable gift of God to us all.
Pastor Wayne Alcorn, ACC National President
Australian Christian Churches – ACC
Sydney Anglicans
Kanishka Raffel Archbishop of Sydney
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Matt 1:23,24 (NIV)
As this year ends, one human problem seems more common than ever. Loneliness.
A special inquiry in New South Wales has been told that almost half of the population experience loneliness – and many experience it often. It easy to think that no one understands our loneliness. But when we turn to the Bible, we see that the child Jesus had another name – Immanuel, which means – God with us.
In the Christmas child, God is present among us, as one of us. Our experiences of anguish, disappointment and yes, even loneliness have become his. Our experiences of joy and friendship and love and longing have become his. God knows what it is like to be human from inside human skin. God with us not only knows our loneliness, He comes to cure it as well.
The Bible uses many words to describe what Jesus does for us – forgiveness, cleansing, adoption, welcome. But the angels use just one word: peace. Peace to those on whom his favour rests. Shalom.
The peace of God that passes understanding – rest, freedom, hope, re-creation. The gifts of Immanuel. God does not leave us alone in a vast, silent universe. God is with us, and for us, in Jesus.
May I wish you and those you love a very happy Christmas.
Kanishka Raffel Archbishop of Sydney Christmas 2024
Image: This year’s Myer Melbourne Christmas window