By Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In the Book of Daniel, we meet three young men — Ananiah, Azariah, and Mishael — whose story is one of remarkable courage and faith. Faced with the command of a mighty king to bow before a false god, they refused, choosing instead to entrust themselves entirely to the one true God of Israel. Even as they were cast into the fiery furnace, they declared with quiet conviction that their God could save them — but even if He did not, they would not turn away from Him.
This ancient story of faith and fidelity is not merely a tale of the past. It is a reminder that courage, rooted in faith, continues to be at the heart of our Christian calling. At Christmas, we celebrate not the triumph of power or might, but the courage of divine love made visible in the fragile vulnerability of a child — the Christ Child, born for us in Bethlehem.
In the mystery of the Incarnation, God does not remain distant from our suffering or our fear. He enters into it. The Word becomes flesh not in a palace but in a stable; not clothed in splendour but wrapped in the simplicity of swaddling clothes. In this child, God Himself embraces the human condition — its beauty and its brokenness — and offers us the hope that even in darkness, light will always prevail.
As we come to the end of another year — a year that has brought both joy and challenge for our Church, our communities, and our world — we are invited once again to ponder the deeper meaning of Christmas. In times of uncertainty, when the future seems unclear and the world around us can feel divided or weary, the message of Christmas whispers something profound: “Do not be afraid.”
These words, spoken by the angel to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, echo still today. The courage of Ananiah, Azariah, and Mishael, the steadfast faith of Mary and Joseph, and the humble obedience of the shepherds — all point us to the same truth: God is with us.
When we allow this truth to dwell within us, something extraordinary begins to happen. Fear gives way to peace. Division yields to reconciliation. And hope, often fragile and flickering, grows strong again. The birth of Christ reminds us that even the smallest light can dispel the deepest darkness, and that God’s presence among us is not an idea, but a living reality.
Here in the Archdiocese of Perth, I have witnessed this reality in many ways throughout 2025 — in the tireless service of parish communities, the dedication of teachers and families in our Catholic schools, and the compassionate outreach of our agencies and ministries to those most in need. These are living signs that Christ continues to walk with His people, inspiring acts of generosity, forgiveness, and faith.
Yet Christmas also calls each of us personally. Like the shepherds who left their flocks to seek the Child, or the Magi who followed the star, we are invited to make a journey — a journey of the heart. It is a journey that leads us to the manger, where in the quiet stillness we encounter the face of God revealed in love.
As we gaze upon the Christ Child this Christmas, may we ask for the same courage shown by those three faithful servants of God so long ago — the courage to trust, to hope, and to love, even in the face of uncertainty. For it is in such courage that we find the peace that Christ alone can give.
My prayer for you and your families this Christmas is that the Lord will fill your hearts with this peace — a peace born not of the absence of struggle, but of the sure presence of God who walks beside us. May this holy season be a time of renewal, reconciliation, and joyful hope for all.
Let us, then, echo the words of the angels and of the Church in every age:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.”
A happy and holy Christmas to you all.
+Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB
Archbishop of Perth