Rev Jennie Savage
Vicar, St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Cambridge
Jenni Savage
Many take a journey over Christmas and the summer, to have a holiday, or to visit family or friends. Sometimes they have been long planned, postponed, or hastily organised. Sometimes though, we are suddenly called upon to undertake a journey, be it physical, emotional or spiritual, a journey we did not plan. Sometimes we come to that proverbial fork in the road and have to choose which way we will go.
There are many of these kinds of journeys within the birth story of Jesus Christ. Unexpected journeys and experiences that brought significant change to those people involved and then rippled out, ultimately, across the world.
For Mary and Joseph, for the shepherds and the Magi, after encountering the Christ child, nothing is the same. From each one’s encounter, they all went back to their lives by another road. It is the unfolding of a new map, discovering an alternate path, and turning away from the unhealthy, false or dangerous paths of the past.
The decision to undertake a journey addresses a need: a search, a reunion, a solution, a healing, and many more. May God be with you in such journeys over this Christmas season.
See: Season messages from Te Awamutu
Jeremy and Kath Lind
Raleigh Street Christian Centre
Jeremy and Kath Lind
We extend our warmest wishes for a peaceful and joyful Christmas to everyone in Cambridge. As Christmas draws near, we are reminded of the joy, peace, and hope that this season brings. Christmas is a celebration of Jesus the Christ, whose birth changed the course of history.
In a world that often feels burdened by uncertainty, pain, and struggle, the message of Jesus offers a light in the darkness. The angel declared to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, “Don’t be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Christ, the Lord.”
This is the heart of the Christmas story: Jesus came into the world not as a distant figure, but as a Saviour who walks with us. His life, death, and resurrection offer us the ultimate gift—salvation and the promise of eternal life for all who trust in Him.
This Christmas, God invites you to reflect on the hope found in Jesus. He is the true source of peace and joy, offering rest for the weary and light for those who seek. May you know His love and salvation this season.
Pastor Ken Keyte
Cambridge Baptist Church
Ken Keyte
If towns could talk what might the three towns in the Gospel of Matthew’s nativity say?
Bethlehem may say: “I am the town where Jesus Christ was born, a town of great sorrow for the baby boys slain by King Herod; where my residents now live apprehensively in the shadow of war; I offer hope of everlasting peace when Jesus returns as the Shepherd King.”
The unnamed town in Egypt may say: “I am the safe place to which infant Jesus was evacuated; I echo Israel’s history, “Out of Egypt I called my son. I offer hope of everlasting safety when God calls his Son to earth again.”
Nazareth may say: “I was a no where town that’s become famous as the place where Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and raised by Joseph and Mary; I offer hope that the off shoot of Jesus will bear everlasting fruit for all peoples.”
But if towns could talk, then what might Cambridge say? “I am the town where King Tāwhiao soothed his sorrow over their loss of whenua by washing in Lake Te Koo Utu after the unfavourable Māori Land Court rulings; I offer hope that the cross above the lake in the Town of Trees and Champions points to Jesus the Champion of champions who died on a tree to save all peoples from their sins.”
If towns could talk would this be the hope they offer us this Christmas?
Monsignor Leonard Danvers
St. Peter’s Parish. Cambridge.
Len Danvers
In just a few days now we will celebrate the great Feast of Christmas – the birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. A familiar question at this time is “What are you hoping to get for Christmas?” or “What would you like for Christmas?”
Sadly, because of our over-emphasis on “what we get” and the loudest call is to spend up large and get all those fantastic bargains, the whole point of this Holy Season is lost. At Christmas we give gifts to one another in humble imitation of the gift that God gave us – His only Son, and therefore the emphasis is on giving.
What gifts can we give, not only at Christmas but every day of the year that would make real to others the true spirit of Christmas – namely the love of Christ?
Such gifts might be our time, friendship, encouragement, understanding, gratitude and forgiveness. Perhaps we can say “I love you” to someone whose love we may at times have taken for granted.
Jesus taught us that whatever the gifts, we should give it to those in the greatest need, and to expect nothing in return. The best gift ever offered was the gift that God gave us when he sent us Jesus. It’s the best gift because it is so many
Gifts in one. As we celebrate Christmas, may we let the light of Christ shine through us and illumine how we bring hope, joy, love and peace to our world. These gifts come from the heart and money can’t buy them.
May the peace of Christ be with you and those you love this Christmas and remain with you throughout the coming year.
Rev Mohu Lolohea
Trinity St. Paul’s Union Parish of Cambridge
Mohu Lolohea
Christmas is a time to celebrate, cultivate and contribute which can be called 3 Cs for Christmas.
Celebrate is defined by Cambridge Dictionary in three meanings – to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate rites, to honour (an occasion, such as a holiday) especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining from ordinary business or to mark (something, such as an anniversary) by festivities or other deviation from routine and to hold up or play up for public notice.
Also, Christmas is a time to cultivate, so cultivate from Collins Dictionary, can be used in three conditions of a verb form. First, if you cultivate land or crops, you prepare land and grow crops on it. Second, if you cultivate an attitude, image, or skill, you try hard to develop it and make it stronger or better. Lastly, if you cultivate someone or cultivate a friendship with them, you try hard to develop a friendship with them.
And Christmas is a time to contribute. Again, from Cambridge Dictionary, contribute means to give something, especially money, to provide or achieve something together with other people.
Our saviour celebrates, cultivates and contributes first, now it’s for you and I to celebrate, cultivate and contribute with, into, and to our community. Have a happy Christmas.
By Rachel Mudge
Bridges Church
Mohu Lolohea
Dear Jesus, I’ve been writing to Santa for years, no offence to him, but a stocking filled with plastic toys isn’t going to cut it this year. I heard about you a while back… is it true you were born in a stable? It was a pretty big deal aye? Angels, trumpets, stars, epic wise men. I need help with the mess here, people are in angry beast mode, my parents arguing. One minute we’re apparently poor, there’s all this yelling, next minute, we’re buying more stuff to make ourselves feel better. I wanted to give five bucks to a guy and wasn’t allowed, maybe you could look after him too. He sits outside Starbucks. Anon
Dear Anon, Actually, you are not Anonymous to me. I see you, your heartbreak, and the mess in the world. Peoples’ self-interested devotion to power and luxury does indeed cause trouble. But there is hope. My birth changed the world, I am the way back to a relationship with God. Do you know the best part? Everyone is invited, there are no outsiders. I’m looking for people just like you to partner with me. Anytime you call my name I’ll be there. JC (Jesus)
