Scott Morrison delivers Christmas message to Australians

After another tumultuous year, Scott Morrison has delivered a Christmas message of hope and optimism to Australians.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has shared his Christmas message. Picture: Adam Taylor

After another tumultuous year, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has delivered a Christmas message of hope and optimism to Australians.

Mr Morrison said this Christmas would be one where people needed hope “more than most”, in a message where he reflected on a recent trip to Australia’s Camp Baird defence base in the UAE.

The Prime Minister said he looked at “beautiful drawings” from children among the 4000 people the ADF had evacuated from Kabul airport, which displayed their unwavering hope.

“There were drawings of smiling faces, love hearts and Australian flags with the stars in all the wrong places,” he said.

“What struck me was the hope of the children. Maybe that’s why Christmas resonates so purely with children”.

Mr Morrison also shared a message for the northern Tasmanian community who are grappling with the tragic loss of six children.

“It’s been a terrible week and my thoughts are with these families.

“I also hope that somehow, the children of Devonport will experience the carefree and excited joy of Christmas morning.”

Scott Morrison earlier this month packed a Christmas hamper to be donated by the charity Hands of Hope. Picture: Dan Peled

It comes as Victorian religious leaders shared similar messages of hope, joy and friendship this Christmas, with the Melbourne Catholic Archbishop calling on people to work towards reconciliation and renewed friendships.

“May the light of Christmas – the light of Jesus – spread out its rays to bring reconciliation between enemies, to light up bridges over troubled waters, to reveal new ways towards renewed friendships,” Archbishop Peter Comensoli said.

After a trying year for many, the Archbishop has asked Victorians to find hope for “our families and for ourselves”.

He said Christmas was the “living memory of the greatest gift we have ever been given” which brings “delights and gifts, warmth and hope”.

The Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne Dr Philip Freier has also encouraged people to search for “hope amid darkness” this festive season.

He said Christmas was a time to confront the challenges of “a tired and worried world” and seek resolutions.

“Christmas can be a truly joyful time of hope … we can find reassurance that God knows the troubles of the world and is so involved in finding a different way forward for us that he sent his Son to be one with us.

“In this light, Christmas can be a truly joyful time of hope.”