SA church leaders’ Christmas messages of hope: Give light and love this
Santa himself has added his Christmas message to South Aussie kids to the voices of the state’s church leaders after another trying year.
SA News
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Amid a period of ongoing uncertainty, the festive season is a time to spread “love and hope”, the state’s religious leaders have said in their Christmas messages.
In a year that hasn’t always been joyful, their messages encourage everyone to continue to persevere through the darkness and give the gift of light to others.
They hope it can be a time of great peace to celebrate the spirit of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ.
“Christmas shows us that even in chaos and uncertainty God is with us,” Catholic Archbishop of Adelaide Patrick O’Regan said.
While Covid has threatened to de-rail Christmas plans, Lutheran Bishop David Altus said it is a welcome time to enjoy the company of the ones we love.
“Leading up to Christmas we all hoped that we would not be identified as a ‘close contact’, but on Christmas Day most people do want close contact, especially with those we love,” he said.
“I pray it will also be a time to enjoy close contact with the God who loves us all.”
Uniting Church Moderator Bronte Wilson said it was a time to find light amid the darkness.
“May we in turn, give the gift of light to those around us, and shine light into the darkness of someone else’s world,” she said.
It was a sentiment echoed by President of the Church of the Latter-day Saints John Orth, who said Christmas was a time provide support to those around you.
“Keep in mind that everyone has struggles and is in need of love, whether you can see it or not,” he said.
“Through our love, and the love of Jesus Christ, lives can be transformed, and true happiness found.”
Anglican Archbishop of Adelaide Geoff Smith said there is hope for the present and future.
“This is a significant message for a world which is struggling with many challenges,” he said.
“The gift of love is ours to appreciate and receive, but also to share.”
Similarly, Rev Dr Melinda Cousins urged people to focus on the “good news” of Christmas.
“Across our city and state, churches are celebrating and seeking to live out this good news,” she said.
“Our doors are open to you to join us.”
A letter from Santa to the children of South Australia
G’day kids of South Australia, it’s me, Father Christmas.
Or Santa Claus. You can call me what you like, just don’t call me late to Christmas dinner.
Ho ho ho, just a little old bloke humour there, don’t mind me.
Anyway, I hope you’re all as excited as I am.
The reindeers have been training hard all year (except for Prancer, he’s been slacking off as usual – classic Prancer) and I just got the sleigh back from the mechanics.
To say that thing is fast is an understatement, and it’s only going to be faster now that the crew from North Pole Speed Systems have finished tweaking it.
Don’t worry, we obey all the speed limits in the suburbs, but in the open sky … let’s just say we put the pedal to the metal somewhat.
We have to though, because we have a heck of a lot of ground to cover. You try visiting every child in Australia in one night – it’s rather hectic.
But I love it, it’s honestly the best job in the world and this year, after all everyone’s been through, I feel more blessed than ever to be delivering some happiness and joy.
We tend to travel into South Australia from the east on Christmas Eve, so the lucky kids in places like Mt Gambier are the first in the state to get their presents.
Even though it’s night time, the reindeers and I just love riding in over the Blue Lake and the pine forests, then zooming along the coast to Robe.
Then it’s up to city – that’s our busiest period by far, so many houses – before we visit all the kids in the Mid North and the beautiful Outback, along the mighty River Murray, and onto the Yorke and Eyre peninsulas.
You’ve all been so good this year dealing with all the tricky things that this pandemic has thrown at you that my Naughty List is more or less non-existent.
The elves and I have been so impressed with how everyone has dealt with lockdowns and cancellations of fun events like the Adelaide Show and school camps.
It won’t be long before everything’s back to normal, but in the meantime keep doing what you’ve been doing – handling the disruptions with maturity and humour.
South Aussie kids really are the best.
Lots of love,
Father Christmas