Ministry 

Christmas Celebration chapels

This week we had fun celebrating Christmas in the Primary school, with extended Christmas Celebration chapels. Our Junior Primary students had a visit from Humphrey (Hump-free) a confused Camel, who thought he had arrived in the place where Jesus was born. In his defence, Mr Tassoni, Mr Kupke and Mr Frank are three pretty wise men! Thankfully Mr Tassoni was on hand to set the record straight, as he read us all a story, “God’s Christmas Promise.” 

This beautiful little book tells the story of the very first Christmas, with illustrations by Aboriginal artist Fern Martins - a Waka Waka and Bungalung woman. Prep to Year Two students were gifted a copy of this book, thanks to the generosity of our friends at the Bible Society of Australia. 

Christmas and Light

The following Christmas message has been adapted from last week’s Thanksgiving Services. 

At the beginning of this term, in our opening chapel, I labelled Term 4 as the Term of Light.

There’s a few reasons for this. In a very literal sense, in Term four we see our days get longer, and we get to enjoy more light particularly in the evenings. In a more figurative sense, in our weekly chapel services we’ve been thinking about the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus encourages his followers to "let their light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and worship your father in heaven”. And the final reason I labelled Term 4 the Term of Light is because we start to see houses covered in lights. 

How good are Christmas lights. It’s certainly one of the Christmas traditions that we love in our family, going for a drive around Pakenham and Officer to see all the fabulous Christmas lights. And I know some of you put up incredible displays. It really is a gift to our community. 

Even at Lakeside College, we have our own lights display. It might not be as big and bold as these houses, but Nina has done a beautiful job of decorating our Christmas tree complete with twinkling lights. Big or small, twinkling lights at Christmas time are a beautiful part of this time of year. 

Displays of Christmas lights, particularly on houses, seem to be getting bigger and bigger in recent years. But the connection between Christmas and Light is nothing new. Even before people had electrical lights, people would decorate Christmas trees with candles. Interestingly, some people attribute this practice to Martin Luther – the 16th Century reformer who our Lutheran Tradition is named after. 

The story goes that Luther was scared walking through a dark forest. As he saw the stars twinkling through the branches above him, they reminded him of the presence and hope of God. He took home an evergreen tree, and put candles on it to recreate the scene and share this with his family. He is quoted as saying, “God’s light shines through the darkest night, but sometimes we have to look up to see it.” 

Yet the connection between Christmas and light goes back even further than this. In our

Christmas reading today we read of the choir of Angels, lighting up the sky for the shepherds as they declared the good news that Jesus was born. And of course at Christmas we also remember the star that lit up the sky, that the wise men followed so they could come and worship Jesus, the new born king. God filled the sky with light to celebrate and proclaim the birth of his son, Jesus Christ. 

At this time of year we often pause to express gratitude for the many wonderful events of 2023—the highlights if you will. It's important to acknowledge, however, that this year has also had its challenging moments, perhaps even dark ones—on personal, community, and global levels. In those moments of need, the Christmas message resonates: Jesus is the light and hope for the world. 

When I think about that very first Christmas, it amazes me to consider that many other people saw the star from the East. But only the wise men recognised the significance, and followed the star. The same is true for us. When we enjoy all the lights of Christmas this year, will we pause to acknowledge the true connection between Christmas and light - that Jesus came as light and hope to our world. 

In the words of one of my favourite Christmas carol… 

True God from true God 

Light from Light Eternal 

O Come Let us Adore Him Christ the Lord

God’s blessings to you and your family.

Chaplain Fiona