Christmas time is also a time for telling stories because a story has a way of getting inside us. We become like children who learn by stories. So I would like to tell you a special story:

The annual SVD Marsfield Community Carols by Candlelight was a wonderful celebration again this year, featuring choirs and performers from a broad range of ethnic communities.

The multicultural flavour of the evening was topped off when everyone came together to sing Silent Night, with verses in different languages as well as in English. And there was even a visit from Santa for the kids.

Christmas is special for so many reasons. It is a time for family and friends, for gift-giving, for church-going, for eating, and, perhaps by the late afternoon, even for napping. As a European, I love the relaxed and laid back atmosphere of the Aussie Christmas, which is more likely to feature a game of beach cricket than the snow men of my youth.

But even as we appreciate all that Christmas is to us, let us try to never forget that Christmas is truly special because it recalls the fact that a little over 2000 years ago, God chose to come and dwell with us, in the person of Jesus Christ.

“How many visitors will be coming for Christmas?” This is usually our first concern for Christmas Day.