No matter how dark things seem, or how difficult things are, an ‘ordinary’ person has the power to choose a gesture of kindness and goodwill over an act of indifference or hostility, writes Broome Administrator and Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrissey, in his 2024 Christmas Message.

Christmas, writes Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, offers us the answer.

“It is Jesus Christ whom we have received and continue to open our hearts to receive each day who is that light and power.”

In his 2022 Christmas Message, Bunbury Bishop Gerard Holohan says that sharing in God’s nature, we have become adopted sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters of Christ. We are ‘new creations’. All who, through Baptism, are human by nature and divine by adoption, are members of God’s family, the Church.

In his 2022 Christmas Message, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB says that Christmas is a time when we remember that God has come so near to us in the person of Jesus, born not in luxury and splendour but in the most humble of circumstances.

“As we welcome him once again, at the end of a very challenging year for many, we know that he comes, as he always does, to heal our wounds and warm our hearts.”

In this season, we find there’s much to ponder about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, writes Broome Administrator and Geraldton Bishop Michael Morrissey in his 2022 Christmas Message.

Thoughts around ‘Why did Mary, heavily pregnant, and Joseph, have to travel to Bethlehem at such a difficult time?’ or ‘Why did no one seem to care about their situation and plight when they reached Bethlehem?’

A Christmas message from the Archbishop of Perth Timothy Costelloe SDB.

In his 2021 Christmas Message, Geraldton Bishop and Broome Administrator, the Most Rev Michael Morrisey, has said that Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is a call to listen and rejoice with joy, giving hope and meaning to life.

In his 2021 Christmas Message, Perth Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton talks about the celebration of the birth of Jesus as a time for reflection and renewal for all believers.
Bishop Sproxton says that it is through the Christ, who has been sent that we are creatures who can know God and learn of the plan for our salvation.
“Jesus most perfectly collaborated with the Father through the obedience of poverty,” Bishop Don said.
“He brought a transformation of all that we yearn for in life: being renewed personally; being able to work for true peace and the building of a new community of fraternity and friendship.”

There are many aspects of the Christmas story that we will reflect upon as we approach this joyous festival, writes Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton.
“One is how Mary and Joseph looked desperately for a place to stay in Bethlehem. A kindness was shown to them when they were allowed to use a shelter that would have been used by shepherds, possibly not much more than a small cavern in the ground, where men and animals would find protection through the night.”

When Saint Matthew’s Gospel tries to sum up the mystery of Christmas the author makes mention of the name “Emmanuel” which, he says, means “God is with us”. The Chosen People of Israel had always believed that God was with them and that God spoke to them especially through the prophets.