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“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!“

Two thousand years ago, although the world was less polluted by human-induced carbon footprints, and the ecosystem was less distorted by excessive industrialisation, the life of a shepherd in the field was still tough and struggling as the lowest class in Palestinian society. While others were resting in their warm cosy bed, the shepherds were out watching over their flock in the night. 

And to them, the despised, the unimportant, the angel of the Lord broke the most significant news of all: the birth of the Saviour and the Messiah, to the most marginalised, deprived people in Palestine, making them the witnesses of God’s glory. 

This is how the Christmas tidings were broadcast in the first place 2000 years ago.  

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased.”  

A child born in the city of David fulfilled God’s prophecies and promises and, thus, became a glorious occasion for God. And this child wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger brought peace, 평화 (equal and harmonious in Chinese), for he became one of us to establish harmony with God and each other. 

We live in a world where wars persist with endless violence, political turmoil is part of everyday life in many parts of the world, and there are increasing natural disasters, floods, bushfires, and ever-frequent pandemics and economic crises. 

By the end of 2022, there will be more than 700 million people living in poverty worldwide whose basic needs including to access shelter, education, food, clean water and health care are neither sufficient nor available. Even in Australia, over 3 million Australians live in poverty, which means one in eight adults and one in six children are living in poverty, without mentioning the First Nations people who too often live as “homeless” in their land. 

We cry for more hope than ever before. We want to hear the chorus of the heavenly angels again, 

“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased.” 

And there is, in fact, a quiet echo of that chorus of the heaven’s angels on the first Christmas, in our world when people speak for the voiceless, walk the extra mile for climate justice, fight to stop domestic violence, and open themselves and welcome people who are different to themselves whether in colour, race, gender, culture or faith. 

The New South Wales Ecumenical Council brings a Christmas message with its commitment to walk together with brothers and sisters in Christ, despite our differences, but emphasising the shared love that we have found in Jesus, the true revelation of God’s love.  

May the first Christmas blessings be yours this year and always. 

(Rev) Myung Hwa Park 

SN: 252/11/22 December 2022

Joy to the world the Lord is born

At the birth of Jesus, some two thousand years ago, joy and peace were heralded by the angels and witnessed by the Magi of the East and the shepherds. Those who embraced this peace and joy transmitted it from one generation to the other to us today. Today, in the 21^st century humanity is as further from that peace and inner joy as in the first century. 

The Covid pandemic jolted the whole world, it underlined the limitations of mankind. Covid’s effect on all aspects of our society cannot be minimised. Its reverberations are still evident. The pandemic further exposed the gap between the rich and the poor, between those who have and those who have not.  The war in Ukraine was instigated through greed, intolerance, and domination.  The destruction and human suffering are beyond description. This war’s consequences felt all over the world, with shortages of wheat, oil, gas, and all kind of raw materials. 

The Christians in the Middle East and the Armenians with them are suffering because of wars and conflicts between various groups and powers. Moreover, in Armenia people experience the aftermath of the disastrous war of 2020 with Azerbaijan. Thousands of people perished and were wounded, tens of thousands are refugees; Azerbaijan continues scorch earth policy eliminating Armenians from Artsakh-Karabagh and border regions within Armenia. We thank the NSW Ecumenical Council and other Christian organisations that stand in solidarity with the suffering of the Armenian people, to raise their voice for peace, justice, and harmony among nations.

“For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (John 4:20)

The absence of Jesus in our society is the reason for all this evil. How can there be peace in the world if there is no peace in the heart of the individual. “Peace I live with you; not as the world gives do I give to you.” (John 15: 28) A peace which transcends this world and earthly worries where one is in harmony with his inner self with God, with people and the world at large, a peace and tranquillity where one is unified with the beauty and the silence of the universe. If one does not love his own, how is he going to love others; “Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 16: 13) If one does not care for the poor and the sick, how is he going to care for the animals and heal the wounded world?

Jesus is the healer, the Good Samaritan, the teacher who forgave the prostitute, the merciful Lord who forgave the thief on the cross. He is the refuge of all the weak and the outcasts of society. Let us open our hearts to the newborn Prince of the Peace, let Him bring joy and happiness so desperately needed in our world. Let Him reconcile us with our Heavenly Father, let us once again be Children of the Light.

Christ is born and revealed, blessed is the revelation of Christ.

With Prayers,

Archbishop Haigazoun Najarian

Primate Diocese of the Armenian Church of Australia and New Zealand

 Coptic Orthodox Church, Diocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions 

NSWEC- The Feast of the Nativity 2022 

Message for the Feast of the Nativity 2022 

by His Grace Bishop Daniel 

It is with great joy that I wish you a blessed Feast of the Nativity of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ as well as a blessed New Year. May our Lord give us the blessings of the Holy Nativity and grant us a joyful holy blessed New Year. 

Our celebration of the Feast of the Nativity is the celebration of the mystery of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the mystery of Divine Humility in which Christ made Himself of no reputation for our salvation. In his epistle to the Philippines, St. Paul says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). 

Our true celebration of the mystery of the Incarnation which is the mystery of Christ emptying Himself lies in how we learn to empty ourselves and imitate our good Lord in serving others. 

We ought to understand that true greatness is revealed in the service with sacrifice and self-denial. We must extend ourselves to the weak and vulnerable, the underprivileged and the broken. Indeed, the Son of Man came to serve not be served. 

May our Lord, born in Bethlehem, Saviour of the world, bless and protect our beloved Australia, its people and Government. 

Bishop Daniel 

Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church-Diocese of Sydney & Affiliated Regions 

There have been many challenges in the past two years for everyone, and to varying degrees.

However, we should not allow our faith to be consumed by challenges.

In fact, at the heart of our faith is the gift of joyful hope. In the letter to the Romans, Saint Paul ullistrates ways to live that are greater than our circumstances, regardless of what confront us. The Apostole says, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in sufering, persevere in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

In the midst of all the challenges, our hope in Christ Jesus sustains us and urges us on. In thanksgiving we give all to God because in Christ, God has given all to us.

So as we approach Christmas  my prayer is that we reflect on the One who gifted us this earthly journey we are all on, who acompanies us every day of our lives, who brings the salvation of souls, love and foregiveness.

My prayers and blessing to all thisd Christmas.

Most Rev Anthony Randazzo DD JCL

Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Broken Bay

During Advent and at Christmas we reflect on and celebrate the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace. Peace has been a difficult word in 2022. Australia has an important role to play in reducing regional tensions and to avoid rhetoric about impending wars. It is easy for political leaders to frighten people with non-specific threats by other countries and convince people that spending untold billions on armaments is the only way to peace. “If you want peace, prepare for war”, an expression that is said to be first coined during the Roman empire. Is this expression still valid 1800 years later and can Australia be a country at peace by preparing for war? Warfare in the 21^st century is dangerous and accidental or purposeful nuclear bombs will render the earth unlivable. Churches have an important role in showing how we follow the Prince of Peace. How are we contributing to peace in our personal life, church, region and country and if we have influence, internationally? Other parts of the world are at war but Australia is not. As Christians, our message is peace; we want peace and work for peace.

Wies Schuiringa
Member of the Religious Society of Friends, Quakers.

At Christmas God gives humanity a voice.

Read through the opening chapters of Luke’s gospel and you’ll notice they’re alive with the sound of praise. Mary, Elizabeth and (eventually!) Zechariah testify to the grace of God who comes to rescue the humble and de-throne the proud. Then on Christmas Eve the skies are filled with the heavenly host proclaiming glory to God and peace on to those on earth with whom he is pleased. No silent night here!

Still today Christmas is a time to witness to these epoch-making events through song, prayer and testimony. The coming of Jesus makes voice possible and necessary, especially for those who’ve experienced his grace and his mercy through his life laid down.

During 2023 our nation will be debating and deciding how to provide a voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the heart of our national and political lives. For those of us who come to this land as later settlers it will be an opportunity to emulate the hospitality of God who makes space for other voices. May we have the humility to listen and learn well to their experiences, and their testimony.

Bishop Mark Short
Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn

I am standing at your door, knocking

The last book of our Bible, whose title is sometimes translated as Revelation, sometimes as Apocalypse, begins with messages from Christ to seven ancient churches.

The final message is to the church in Laodicea, with strong, even crude words to them for being lukewarm and complacent, trusting in earthly wealth. (Rev 3:14-19)

But it is really a message of hope, holding out the opportunity to turn back to God and start again. Its final words are one of the most beautiful invitations in the scriptures:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me. (Rev 3:20)

Jesus is knocking at our door. Let him in, and you will have the guest who will bring light and life and peace to your family.

I wish you a very happy Christmas and blessings of peace and spiritual prosperity in the year to come.

+Michael McKenna
Bishop of Bathurst

Friends,

Christmas holds a special place in the hearts of many people, whether that be because of Jesus’ birth, family, coming together for gifts and food, or to be part of community. Hopefully, for all of those reasons. May that be so, this Christmas.

The year has once again brought great challenges and great hope, perhaps both fears and hope…

…The fear of what the war between Ukraine and Russia might bring. The hope that it might end in peace.

…The fear of what COVID might continue to do in the world. The hope that we might live COVID free.

…The fear of interest rate and price rises. The hope that we can cope with that.

…The death of the Queen. The birth of the new era….

…The death of people we love. The birth of new babies, new life.

…The loss of work. The hope of a new beginning.

For each of us, we have our fears. We have our hopes.

It’s important to remember that even with that great verse in Jeremiah 29:11… “‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.’”…. the Jews were about to go into exile. And, still God offered hope!

The beautiful Christmas Carol “O little town or Bethlehem”, written in 1868 by Phillips Brooks after a trip to the Holy Land, offers an invitation and a promise.

O little town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep

The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth

The everlasting light

The hopes and fears of all the years

Are met in thee tonight.

Hopes and fears … met in Jesus.

The birth of Jesus brought all the hopes and fears of all humanity together in His plan for our salvation. We can allow Him to overcome our fears with His hope.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

We need Him. May hope overcome fear. May Jesus be to you all that you need.

Bless you.

L.C Miriam Gluyas

Salvation Army

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