Christmas Message from Bishop Peter Carrell
Dear Friends,
There is a fine line between buying great presents for loved ones and putting on a memorable Christmas meal and overspending to the detriment of how we live the other 364 days of the year. There is also a fine line between celebrating the joy of Christmas – that God loved us so much that in Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son became a human being, lived, died and rose again for our sakes – and acknowledging the reality of continuing human pain and suffering. Most if not all of us engage with the challenge described in the first sentence. Every preacher and column writer engages with the challenge in the second sentence. This year that second challenge feels especially acute as daily we read of death and destruction in Gaza, recall the 7 October 2023 atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel and do not forget other wars and calamities around the world. Many of us will also bear sorrows closer to home as we enter the Christmas season without loved family members and friends. Where is the "peace and goodwill among people" that the angels sang about to the shepherds in Luke 2:14?
The answer to this question is not found in the Christmas stories narrated by Matthew and Luke. We need to take in their larger narratives – the whole of the gospels they wrote as well as the whole sweep of the New Testament. Peace and goodwill among people is God's will for humanity. Working with God for peace and goodwill is our calling as followers of Jesus. "Blessed are the peacemakers," Jesus said (Matthew 5:9). In Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul describes the good news of Jesus in terms of "peace" – news of the peace Jesus achieved through his death on the cross, news of peace to be proclaimed to all humanity. Paul even says, "For he is our peace" (2:14). In a world shattered by war, in individual lives disrupted by sorrow and suffering, our continuing task – the ongoing follow up to the angels’ song - is that we continue to make peace, proclaim peace, work for peace – the peace which is centred on Christ and his work on the cross, reconciling humanity to God and divided humanity into "one new humanity" (2:15).
May Christ the Prince of Peace be born again in each of our hearts this Christmas.
Arohanui,
+Peter
Contents
God the Incarnate
An advent reflection by The Very Reverend Ben Truman, Dean of the Christ Church Cathedral.
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Behold the miracle, embrace the mystery
Rev'd Dr Meg Harvey, Vicar of Amberley Parish writes about the mystery of Christ's birth.
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Sweet Pagan Baby Jesus?
The Reverend Bosco Peters, who was most recently Acting Dean of the Transitional Cathedral reflects on the origins of Christmas. He is married to Helen.
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Join cbm New Zealand in celebrating Advent in 2023!
"A Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord." – Luke 2:11
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Interfaith Service: St Barnabas, Fendalton
A multicultural service co-hosted by The English Language Class at St Barnabas, Fendalton and Antioch (Young Adults Service) saw unity in diversity.
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Light and Darkness
The Venerable Indrea Alexander, Vicar of Ashburton takes a closer look at the light of Christ that shines in darkness.
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Christmas at the Transitional Cathedral
Come celebrate Christmas at the Transitional Cathedral.
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Share Food this Christmas
"He has filled the hungry with good things." (Luke 1:53a)
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Episcopal Visit to Western Tanganyika
Bishop Peter Carrell and Teresa Kundycki-Carrell visited the Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania, Africa in September.
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Going to the Chapel
If buildings could talk – we can only imagine the memories we'd hear from the Christchurch City Mission's very treasured chapel in Hereford Street.
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mainly music turns 20 in Fendalton
Liz Yeoh, mainly music Coordinator at St Barnabas, Fendalton shares about the 20th celebration, a testimony, and the ethos of mainly music.
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Journal and books for gifts
Emma Tovey, our Diocesan Children's Ministry Developer shares some of her favourite reading materials.
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Eco Church NZ: Nurturing Faith, Sowing Sustainability
An introduction to Eco Church NZ by James Beck, Eco Church Regional Coordinator - South Island.
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Easter Camp 2023 was Incredible!
"Although it was a potential recipe for disaster, it was one of the greatest Easter Camps I have ever attended."
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CCRL Update
A Christmas update from Mark Stewart, Chair of Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Ltd (CCRL).
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Raspberry Cheesecake recipe
Celia Quinnell, Property Manager at Church Property Trustees makes this Annabel Langbein recipe with her own interpretation. We recently had a taste of it and now know why it is a firm favourite with Celia's family at every Christmas.
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The Importance of Stillness and Silence in our Lives
Every day but especially these days
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God alongside Us - Sheer Strangeness of Christianity
This Advent and Christmas celebrate the strangeness of the God who draws alongside us as one of us.
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What I learned at the Multifaith Breakfast
By Rev'd Dr John Fox, Senior Chaplain at University of Canterbury
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A Possible Christmas Gift
Looking for a Christmas gift that will inspire someone you love, and fund lifesaving healthcare? The biography of Edric Baker is that gift!
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Did you know?
You can find our weekly e-Life newsletter on our website in pdf format. The latest nine e-Life are regularly updated on our website.
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