Christmas Message 2024

By The Most Rev Bishop Donald Sproxton VG
Auxiliary Bishop of Perth

2 December 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we gather this Christmas season, we are reminded that Christ, born humbly in a manger, is God’s ultimate gift of mercy and love to the world.

Amid the many challenges and uncertainties of recent times, the war in Ukraine, the war in Israel and Palestine, and as we witness global unrest, economic hardship, and the effects of climate change, this season invites us to rekindle our hope and deepen our commitment to love and compassion.

In recent months, we have seen turmoil, conflict, and suffering across the world.
From regions afflicted by violence to communities devastated by natural disasters, we have witnessed the struggles that many face.

But, amid these trials, we also see extraordinary acts of kindness and courage.
Christmas calls us to be bearers of this same hope and mercy, for “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son” (John 3:16).

In Christ, we have a model of love that is unconditional, a call to serve others, and a reminder that even in the darkest times, God’s light shines brightly.

One of the most profound themes of Christmas is the mercy of God.
In this mystery of the Incarnation, we encounter a God who “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). This merciful act of becoming one with humanity speaks to us of God’s closeness to our joys and sorrows, our hopes and fears.
Christ came not to condemn but to save, and He invites us to extend this same mercy to others.

Pope St John Paul II often emphasized the necessity of mercy in our world. In his second encyclical Dives in Misericordia (Rich in Mercy), he reminds us that “mercy is love's second name” and that it is the antidote to so much division and pain.
During this season, may we strive to bring mercy to those around us – to forgive those who have wronged us, to reach out to those in need, and to show compassion to the vulnerable.
Psalm 145:8-9 reminds us, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”

This is the essence of God’s heart, and it is the calling for each of us as disciples of Jesus. Let us be channels of this compassion, embracing those who feel isolated, comforting those who mourn, and giving generously to those in need.
The Christmas story, with its humble beginnings in a stable, teaches us that every person, no matter their status or wealth, deserves our respect and care.

We are called to treat each other with dignity, knowing that Christ is present in every human face.
As we reflect on our world, we cannot ignore the need for peace and reconciliation.

Pope St John Paul II once said, “Peace is not only the absence of war. Peace is something that must be built up day after day, in the pursuit of an order intended by God.”
This peace begins in our own hearts. It begins in families and communities and extends outwards. May this Christmas renew in each of us a commitment to build peace, to forgive those who have hurt us, and to foster understanding in place of conflict.
The birth of Jesus also brings us hope. It is a hope that does not deny the struggles we face but transforms them with the assurance of God’s presence.

As the prophet Isaiah foretold, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2).

This is the light of Christ that no darkness can overcome, and it is the light that leads us forward even when the path seems uncertain.

May we welcome Jesus into our hearts this Christmas with a renewed spirit of love, kindness, and forgiveness. Let us go forth with courage, knowing that we are not alone, and that God’s mercy accompanies us.

May we be instruments of peace and bearers of hope in our world.

With the words of St Paul, I bless you all: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him” (Romans 15:13).
May your hearts be filled with the peace of Christ, and may this season bring blessings to you and your loved ones.

Have a blessed Christmas and may God’s love and mercy remain with you always.

+ Donald G Sproxton VG
Auxiliary Bishop of Perth