Sharing the message
CHRISTIANS across the Far North are getting ready for the biggest religious celebration on the calendar.
People will head to churches across the Far North to sing carols and hear a Christmas message.
The Rev Rod Gooden, of St John’s Anglican Church, said his sermons would be based on Luke 2: 1-20.
“(It’s about) Joseph of Nazareth who had to return to Bethlehem, his birth town, to register for the (Roman) census,” Mr Gooden said.
“That’s the whole message of Christmas – God became man in the person of Jesus so that we can go to our home that God has chosen for us.”
Mr Gooden said some people, who did not regularly attend church, would still turn up to services as part of their festive tradition.
“That certainly does happen – not as much as 20 or 30 years ago,” he said.
“We get our faithfuls, visitors coming to town and locals who don’t worship with us during the year.”
At St Monica’s Cathedral, the Bishop of Cairns, James Foley, tells how the meaning of Christmas has stood the test of time.
“(The literal meaning of Christmas has) remained largely unchallenged and unchanged (which) is no small miracle in itself,” Bishop Foley said.
“Christmas remains and retains its feeling of peacefulness and goodwill among and across peoples. So amid the need for decorations, the gifts, the feasting and the carol singing, let us still hold on to Christ’s Mass.”
Over at Generations Church at the northern beaches, senior pastor John Wedrat said his message would also be centred on peace and goodwill.
“At Christmas time, society tends to generally reflect and really value what the day brings – the ‘Christmas spirit’,” Mr Wedrat said. “This is pretty much generated from the actual Christmas celebration, which is the birth of Christ.”
Mr Wedrat emphasised how the birth of Christ had “the tremendous desire to bless humanity”.
“It’s the huge foundation of the message of the Christian church and gospel,” Mr Wedrat said. Churches across the Far North will either have a Christmas Day service, Christmas Eve service or both.