KEY POINTS:
MAJOR BRIAN PEDDLE, DIVISIONAL COMMANDER, THE SALVATION ARMY
"Out of all of the characters in the Christmas story, I am keen to identify with the Shepherds. They were outside of the mainstream of daily life and yet were pulled into the drama and included as key
characters. As recipients of the 'Good News', they were given a hope that centred around the birth of a child who still today makes His
arrival a significant focus for our world. The miracle of Christmas that I have seen over these past weeks is the continued reality that no one is excluded from the story or from the hope that it brings. The angel's
message remains: 'I have good news for you, there is great joy coming to the whole world.' It is in that context of hope that I greet you with a
sincere, 'Merry Christmas'."
ROSS BAY, DEAN OF HOLY TRINITY CATHEDRAL
"The message of Christmas is about the God who is found in human experience. Those experiences at the moment include what will occur as a
result of economic hardship. Jesus is born not in a temple but in a stable to a young unmarried woman. You could say that God is to be found in 'improper' places, rather than just in 'holy' places. God is found
in the grittiness of everyday life. We are privileged to have a building such as the cathedral in which to tell the Christmas story. We then need to go out and live it."
PAT DUNN, CATHOLIC BISHOP OF AUCKLAND
"I was recently in Franklin Rd, and the lights, the families, the
decorations all contribute to a sense of wonder. Children are open to this, and parents take delight from the pleasure children get. The
original Christmas story was one of great wonder, that God loves us so much that he sent his son. It is sometimes frustrating that there is so little reference to Christianity at Christmas time. But the sense of
wonder remains, which is quite lovely."
JILL VAN DE GEER, PRESIDENT OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND
"For many people in the world this will be a difficult Christmas
because of these uncertain times. Even in this relatively sheltered country there will be some living under the shadow of violence, others who do not know where their next meal is coming from and yet others for whom the chaos of world financial markets and redundancy has an impact. Many will find it difficult to move into a mood of celebration but as
we remember the birth of Christ we affirm the coming together of families and friends, the sharing of gifts, the sense of community.
May these times of sharing become signs of hope for Christmas and the coming year."
COLIN HOPKINS, BAPTIST CHURCHES OF NEW ZEALAND
"As we move into 2009, with an economy all over the place and areas of conflict around the world, none of us can be assured that our savings
will be worth the same, that our health will be good, or even that our house will hold its value. However, we can be assured that the God
who visited us over 2000 years ago, in the person of Jesus Christ, is only a prayer away. Strength that is beyond ourselves can be found in Him to cope with each and every situation that life may bring. That is
the Good News of Christmas. May He richly bless you and your families
this Christmas."
