It's good to be back home in New Zealand after eight years living and working in England.
Christmas is different in the northern hemisphere. It's celebrated in the middle of winter, not in summer like it is in New Zealand. Mind you, we came to appreciate the lights, decorations andfestivities during the short days, long nights and darkness. From that point of view the Christmas emphasis of light shining in the dark had new meaning.
At the heart of Christianity is God's love. At Christmas, the focal point of this love is the living God visiting humanity in Jesus Christ dwelling amongst us in humility.
The opposite of love is not hate, but apathy. In Jesus, God demonstrates His involvement with humanity, wanting to build us up, not putting us down. In a recent article I read, someone was asked to suggest the ugliest word for him. His reply was "exclusive". How often this word is used to appeal to our sense of importance. God's love is not exclusive but embracing.
The Christian cannot separate the Christmas story from the events of Easter. The crucifixion is an awful reminder of humanity's response to the trust God showed in His Christmas gift. Our lack of trust, prejudice to exclusiveness, the way we put each other down continues to be illustrated in events such as the London bombings, Iraq, and recent events in Sydney. The challenge for all New Zealanders is to inclusiveness, mutual encouragement and trust.
The crucifixion is not the end of the Christmas/Easter story. Neither is it the end-of-year message for us. Easter celebrates resurrection. Christmas celebrates birth and new hope.
The Christian World Service is using four words in its Christmas Appeal which summarises my end-of-year message: Hope. Peace. Joy. Love.
