Christmas messages from the Clergy of Parkes

In 2016 Census the fastest growing religious classification was "No religion - up from 18.7% to 30.1%". All Christian denominations combined decreased from 63.9% to 52.1%. There are a number of reasons that can be put forward for this, not least being the sexual abuse in the churches and other institutions, as well as greater mobility, busy life style, greater wealth and so on. History shows that "as affluence increases religiosity decreases". If we see God only as someone who helps in time of trouble or need, then as we become more self-sufficient and individualistic we think we have no need for God, or for that matter the Church.

Statistics reveal that anxiety is one of the highest rates of health related disorders in both children and adults. This area needs more research. Having been made in the image and likeness of God, could it be that as we move from our centre, a faith in a higher being, and our understanding of why we are here, that we naturally become anxious about both life and death?

Christmas is about a loving, caring, and merciful God who broke into our somewhat broken and fragile world to bring hope and purpose to all, firstly by Christ birth, but eventually by His total giving on the Cross and His rising to new life so that we might have the fullness of that life.

I take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very blessed and happy Christmas and an increase in faith, hope and love - the precious gifts of the Christ Child.

I love Christmas time, and I love Christmas carols, but it seems to me that some of them have very strange lyrics. Like 'Joy to the world', which says "No more let Sin and sorrow grow, Nor thorns infest the ground, He comes to make his blessings flow, far as the curse is found." What's that all about? Because the last time I looked there were still plenty of thorns around (especially in the form of catheads), and what's that 'curse' that's being talked about?

The bible tells us that God created this world good, but that with Adam and Eve's sin everything changed. We now live in a world under the curse of sin. A broken and fallen world. A world of drought, bushfires and catheads. But all these things are really just symptoms of our falling out with God.

The good news is, that God in his love, sent Jesus to fix our sin problem. It's the reason we celebrate Christmas every year, rejoicing in the birth of our savior. In fact the bible describes how perilous our situation was, and how wonderful Jesus' salvation was, in these terms "When you were dead in your sins...God made you alive with Christ" (Colossians 2:13). It's a fairly established fact that those who are dead, can't save themselves. But with outside intervention (usually CPR) they can be brought back to life. We too are in a situation where we can't save ourselves (dead in our sins) and we too need outside intervention. Jesus is that Saviour, the one who can give us life. The one who can break the curse of sin and restore us back into relationship with God.

We might still live in a broken and fallen world. A world with drought and bushfires, sorrows and thorns, but we no longer have to remain 'dead in our sin'. God has promised forgiveness to all who trust in Jesus as savior, he has offered to adopt us as his children, with heaven as our inheritance, where there will be no more sorrow or tears.

No wonder the angels announced at Jesus' birth "Good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord."

May you know that hope and joy this year at Christmas and may you find in Jesus, the savior we all need. The one who grants life, to all who believe. On behalf of the Presbyterian church, have a wonderful Christmas.

Our hearts go out to all who have experienced great loss, sorrow and suffering in these difficult times.

All of us have been affected in some way by the prolonged drought and the widespread fires.

Jesus showed that he cares deeply for our need. He is God-with-us.

He so identified with us that "he carried our sorrows and was acquainted with our griefs and by his stripes we are healed" Isaiah 53:3-5.

He is the Good Shepherd who never deserts us and always leads us to green pastures and still waters, even though we may have to endure the wilderness for a season.

It is so significant that the announcement of the birth of the Saviour of the world was made firstly to some of the poorest in the land: the humble shepherds.

The angel declared to them " the most joyous news the world has ever heard! An it is for everyone everywhere! For today in Bethlehem a rescuer was born for you. You will recognise him by this miraculous sign: you find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough" Luke 2:10-12.

Then the choir of angels burst into song: "Glory to God in the highest realms of heaven. For there is peace and a good hope given to the children of men".

May the Good Shepherd's supernatural peace and enduring hope be multiplied to you and your family in this season.

Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

There are so many different aspects to this Christmas story. We have the Mary and Joseph unable to find a room in Bethlehem, leaving them to have to lodge in the stables. Mary gives birth to Jesus at this time, and Jesus, instead of having the comfort's of a room and a bed finds himself sleeping in a food trough for animals, what we call a manger. There are shepherd's being dazzled by a host of angels as they learn of their Saviour's birth. They are so amazed and intrigued by what they have heard and seen that they track down this newly born king to be able to see him with their own eyes.

And then we have this interesting story about the Magi who turn up in Jerusalem, looking for the 'one who has been born the king of the Jews'. This baby Jesus was so important that he had his own star, heralding his birth, which rose in the east, guiding the wise men to Jesus.

So we have examples of people who have come to Jesus both from near and far. The shepherds didn't have far to go to meet the 'King of kings and the Lord of lords', but after they heard about him from the angels, they saw the worth in seeing Jesus with their own eyes. The wise men had come potentially from a much greater distance, and they came such a distance with the knowledge that to meet Jesus, this newborn 'king of the Jews' was well worth the danger of the long journey. They came to honour Jesus and had "come to worship him", bearing gifts fit for a king. And people have been coming to meet Jesus from all walks of life, from near and far, ever since.

Jesus' birth, that first Christmas day was both big news and good news, both in the heavens as well as on the earth. But even now, over two thousand years later, its importance hasn't changed. Jesus' birth is still big news, and it is still 'good news'. Jesus came to earth that first Christmas day to bring light into darkness, hope into despair and salvation to the lost. Let me encourage you to bring that light, hope and salvation into your home this Christmas as Jesus takes centre stage as the reason for the season.

Have a wonderful and safe Christmas. God Bless.

Christmas is a special time of the year and because it is the Celebration of Jesus' birthday, it is a family occasion, just like a birthday in your family. Jesus was born far away from home in the town of Bethlehem, the town where His earthly ancestors belonged.

They had to make this journey so that they were able to register in the census.

Because there was no room in the inn, they were offered the stable as a place for the Baby Jesus to be born, - in very humble circumstances.

This was a symbol of the way Jesus' ministry would be spent, much of the time travelling the roads between the towns of ancient Palestine and beyond, so that He could preach God's word of love and forgiveness.

Today we are besieged constantly by media, T.V, Radio and newspapers etc. telling us how we should spend our money so that we will enjoy Christmas better.

There are many gifts that one could shower on our family and friends at Christmas time, but are we really celebrating Jesus' birth, or using the time just to have a good time without much thought for others?

Jesus came into this world to forgive, and that is what we must do too - forgive those who may have wronged us - whether it may be something serious or trivial. While we are enjoying ourselves we must not forget those who are lonely and have no one to celebrate with, those too who are in far off countries assisting those who are suffering the scourge of war or natural disasters. We must not forget them and continue to pray for them too. We pray for those who travel during this special time to visit relatives and friends, that they may arrive safely.

At this time - in our time, - we have the opportunity to celebrate and anticipate the fulfilment of God's promise in our lives and communities - to share a foretaste of Peace on Earth and goodwill to all people.

On behalf of the Parkes Uniting Church Congregations, I wish you all, a Safe, Happy and Blessed Christmas.

It's that time of the year again and we Christian's call it Advent!

As we reflect on the second coming of Christ, and look back over the year to see how we have been travelling in our Christian journey we really need to do a spot check on our heart. And it is all about Love.

A young lady from Denmark (Emma Fanoe) spoke on loving our neighbour as we love ourselves.

We give ourselves everything that we need plus a little extra but, when we see someone down and, in a rut, do we love them as we love ourselves?

We must remember that love in its fullest form came from the boy child born in a manger.

Loving your neighbour came from Christ the King at Calvary who knew the cross was not a trap, but a throne and gave his life for ours to share eternal life with him.

So, Christmas is not about ourselves, rather it is about the greatest gift ever given to us our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Many Christmas blessings.

Christ Is In Christmas

I Remember in December

That the reason for the season

Is that Christ is in Christmas

And he is there for all of us

And I remember the son God gave

To the world he would save

When love was born

On that first Christmas morn.

~ Unknown Author

This has been the most trying year I have as yet experienced. We as devout Christians have had, I believe, the most testing time in my life, so far! The things that keep my Faith and optimism alive are:

(1) The Lord's amazing creation and the things still prove his love for his people;

(2) Our six families of God in my two Parishes have been praying for rain now for Forty-three Months (43), faithfully and with enormous love and faith;

(3) I keep telling my amazing people that the scriptures tell us many things, but two very important ones, and that is, "To pray constantly" and "that the Lord Jesus Christ hears and answers all our prayers".

Dear friends "pray without ceasing" and celebrate Christ-mass with all the Hope, Joy, Peace and Love that you can muster. I wish you a very Happy and Holy 2019 Christmas. God, our hearts sing with joy and praise because of Jesus. At this happy season, we rejoice that Jesus came among us. By his birth and life, he has shown us that we are your people, and that we are greatly loved. Help us to remember this Christmas and all year long by giving to others the gifts of life; hope, peace, joy, love, kindness, and understanding.