Shining the Light of Christ this Christmas Julie and I want to first and foremost thank you for who you are in Christ and what you have continued to do in his name throughout 2023. It has been another demanding and challenging year, and it’s only through the love and power of Jesus that we can achieve what we are called to do as The Salvation Army, Te Ope Whakaora. Together we live out the good news of Jesus Christ so that everyone can experience hope, wholeness and ongoing transformation—the fullness of life as God intended.
This season as we sing carols, tell the Christmas story and … pray people will experience life in all its fullness. Christmas is almost here! Have you noticed that Christmas lights and trees have been on display a lot earlier this year? There were Christmas lights in our street in early November! I think that more and more people want to enjoy the wonder and joy of Christmas for longer periods of time and displaying lights is a message of the good news of Jesus’ birth to the world. It’s a bit like seeing hot cross buns for sale in January in the lead up to Easter. My initial response was an attitude of how dare they! But as I thought about 8
December 2023
this, I realised that these symbols give us an opportunity as part of the wider church to present the good news of Jesus Christ in his coming as a child and his salvation through his death, resurrection and ascension. In the Bible in the Gospel of John, Jesus said: ‘I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes and trusts in me [as saviour—all those who anchor their hope in me and rely on the truth of my message] will not continue to live in darkness’ (John 12:46, AMP). This is the vision: The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa living out the good news of Jesus Christ, shining the light of hope, wholeness and ongoing transformation in our nations. Thank you for the many ways you show Jesus in your lives and ministries. This season as we sing carols, tell the Christmas story and show kindness through providing gifts and hampers, we pray people will experience life in all its fullness. There is a song by Chris Tomlin called ‘Here I Am to Worship’. The first verse reads: Light of the world You stepped down into darkness Opened my eyes, let me see Beauty that made this heart adore you Hope of a life spent with you.
May the light, beauty and hope of Jesus Christ be yours this Christmas and also for those who are impacted by your lives and ministries. God bless you and your families this Christmas season. Commissioners Mark and Julie Campbell Territorial Leaders
