Christmas message from Pastor Ken Keyte 

Cambridge Baptist Church

My wife Raewyn and I have recently moved to Cambridge, so we’ve been making the most of every opportunity to experience Christmas in our new home.

Last week we popped into the town hall to see the Christmas Festival. We arrived as the Kaipaki school choir began singing several Christmas carols. On the stage behind them was a spectacular manger and on either side of the hall were Christmas trees beautifully decorated with lockdown activity themes.

As we listened to the choir sweetly singing, they began one of my favourites – O Holy Night. I enjoy listening and singing along to the soaring melody of this carol. However, I especially appreciate how it describes and explains “the night of the dear saviour’s birth” with lyrics such as,  “Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till he appear’d and the soul felt its worth”.

The final verse always strikes a chord with me, as I’m reminded how to respond to the birth of Jesus Christ. Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love and His gospel is peace, chains shall He break for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease, sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we, let all within us praise His holy name.

Thank you Kaipaki school choir and the Christmas Festival organisers for reminding us what Christmas is all about!

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