By the Most Rev Bishop Don Sproxton, Auxiliary Bishop of Perth
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
In the Book of Job, we encounter a man of deep faith who, in the face of immense suffering, never loses his trust in God. Job’s story is not one of simple endurance, but of courage — a courage born from faith that refuses to give way to despair. Even when everything he had was stripped away, Job continued to speak with God, to wrestle with the mystery of his suffering, and ultimately to declare, “I know that my Redeemer lives.”
This kind of courage — the courage to keep faith alive when all seems lost — lies at the heart of the Christmas mystery. For at Christmas, we are invited to gaze upon a scene of simplicity and vulnerability: a young mother and her husband, far from home, bringing a child into a world that had no room for them. There, in a humble stable, surrounded by darkness, uncertainty, and fear, the light of God’s love began to shine.
It takes courage to hope in a world that can seem indifferent or harsh. It took courage for Mary to say “yes” to God’s plan. It took courage for Joseph to protect and provide for his family despite confusion and danger. And it took courage for the shepherds to leave their flocks and follow the angel’s message into the night.
Each, in their own way, showed the same faith-filled courage that Job embodied — a willingness to trust in the God who brings light from darkness, joy from sorrow, and life from death.
As we look back on the year that has passed, we can see how much courage is still needed in our own time. Many in our world — and in our own communities — have faced challenges of loss, illness, uncertainty, and change. In families, workplaces, and parishes, people continue to struggle with the pressures of modern life, the anxiety of the future, and the longing for meaning and belonging.
Yet within all of this, I continue to see signs of great courage — quiet acts of compassion, forgiveness, and perseverance that speak of the enduring presence of God among us.
Christmas reminds us that God has not abandoned His people. In Jesus Christ, God enters fully into our human condition, sharing our joys and our sorrows, our hopes and our fears. The birth of Christ in Bethlehem was not just a moment in history; it was the beginning of a new way of seeing the world — one in which no suffering, no darkness, and no hardship is beyond the reach of divine love.
We, too, are called to be people of courage and hope. The message of the angels — “Do not be afraid” — is as much for us today as it was for the shepherds that first Christmas night. In our world, which often seems to grow colder and more divided, we are invited to be bearers of warmth, compassion, and faith. The light that shone in Bethlehem now shines within each of us.
In his humility, Jesus teaches us that true strength is found not in power or control, but in love — a love that gives itself freely, that forgives, that endures, and that renews. It is this love that transforms hearts, families, and communities. It is this love that enables us to face whatever lies ahead with courage, trusting that God is with us always.
My prayer this Christmas is that the light of Christ will shine anew in your homes and hearts. May it bring you peace in the midst of turmoil, joy in times of weariness, and hope in all that lies ahead. Let us, like Job, proclaim with confidence: “I know that my Redeemer lives.”
And may this living faith strengthen us to share Christ’s light with all whom we meet in the year to come. A blessed and holy Christmas to you and your loved ones.
Bishop Don Sproxton
Auxiliary Bishop of Perth