Christmas messages
Julie Guest
Vicar, St John’s Anglican Church
Rev Julie Guest
There’s an unassuming pot plant in our house that transforms at this time of the year. It’s a miniature Hoya, branches trail over the pot rim, until in December tiny flower clusters appear. They arrive at the tip of the draping branches, almost invisible until suddenly the whole cluster emerges and each flower opens into a tiny star with a scented center.
The flowers are highly sentimental for me. This is the same plant I watched as a five-year-old, waiting with Mum for those stars to appear. Mum nurtured it, took cuttings and before she died ensured her grandchildren all had a thriving cutting themselves.
What I reflect on is the way the flower-stars grow unnoticed for so long and then suddenly appear. All the real growth seems invisible, but in fact has been happening unseen for months. And I wonder: what might grow unnoticed in us until suddenly it blooms?
Perhaps it starts as something small—a need for purpose, for hope, for peace, or simply to get through. Maybe this Christmas the contrast between how you feel and the joy of Christmas seems too wide. Does a tinsel-and-glitter Christmas-of-plenty produce anxiety instead of hope?
The true Christmas message offers something different: Like those Hoya flowers appearing after patient waiting, hope can blossom when we risk believing this Christmas story might actually be true. This story about Jesus and Love. God’s love flows towards you constantly —but can only impact your life when you’re open to receiving it.
Could it be that what you really hope for this Christmas is to know Jesus loves you? That’s the tide we can flow with—love. Jesus is the proof.
Fr Rico Enriquez
Catholic Church
The message of Christmas is the message of love. God loves us so much that He gave His only son. It is indeed a great sacrifice for God the Father to give His son – Jesus Christ – for the salvation of the world and it was also a great sacrifice for Jesus Christ – the Son, to offer Himself for the salvation of the world.
As Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, let us continue to concretise this love of God, not only this Christmas, but in our daily life by loving the neighbour. Let us continue to love the neighbour; especially, those who need help not only materially but also to those who need help spiritually. In this way, we are at the same time, concretizing the command of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you.” (Jn. 13: 34)
Have a blessed Christmas everyone and a grace-filled new year 2026!
Jeff Parker
Pastor, Elim Church
Jeff Parker
Christmas is a time of wonder. You see it on the faces of children as they get excited about the day coming. It was there at the Cambridge Christmas parade last weekend amongst the joy and laughter.
As we get older and life becomes filled with responsibilities and bills to pay… the wonder can be lost and we can just hope for a good break, a bit of fun and enough money to make it all happen.
But truth be told, the wonder of Christmas is not about decorations, presents and holidays, as good as those things are. It goes a lot deeper, to the original story of Christmas… God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to be born into the most humble of circumstances, to bring hope to mankind. One of His names was Immanuel, which means ‘God with us’. His birth, life, death and resurrection are pivotal events in human history, but also, are relevant today to you and I. Why? It’s in the name ‘God with us’. The wonder is that God still wants to be ‘with us’ and He still brings hope and peace to all who call on Him.
Can I encourage you this Christmas, whether there are many presents or few, to reflect on His presence with you? Whether you are surrounded by people or alone, you need not ever be completely alone because when you open your heart to God He will be ‘with you’. That’s the wonder of Christmas.
Rev. Mohu Lolohea
Trinity St. Paul’s Union Parish of Cambridge
Mohukelesi Lolohea
The Christmas opposite the town hall in Cambridge is a real tree. There is no need to cut a tree somewhere else and bring it over.
Real trees are natural, renewable, recyclable products that provide endless benefits to the environment. While growing, trees help keep the air clean and they provide wildlife habitat. And when the holiday season is over, they can be easily recycled into products like mulch that continue to benefit nature.
A real Christmas tree connects to the “First Christmas” through its deep symbolism as an evergreen representing eternal life in Christ, echoing ancient customs of evergreens symbolising life in winter. Benefits include fleshly experience (smell/mood), boosting mental health, and supporting local farms, while being a biodegradable, renewable resource that absorbs CO2 and provides habitat—a natural cycle contrasting artificial trees. Choosing a real tree links you to centuries of tradition and nature, embodying the hope and life of the original Christmas story, while also offering tangible environmental and well-being benefits for your family today.
“From our homes to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season! May your days be merry and bright.”
Patsy Way
Associate Pastor Cambridge Baptist Church
Patsy Way
As we count down towards Christmas, on the second Sunday of Advent, the Bethlehem candle of peace was lit in our church, a Bible passage was read (Micah 5:2) and a reflection was shared. Here’s what was said about the Bethlehem Advent candle of peace. ‘The Bethlehem candle invites us into the quiet, unassuming town of Bethlehem – a small town (smaller than Cambridge), often overlooked. Yet God chose this humble setting as the place where the Prince of Peace would be born. Jesus’ birth reminds us that the peace we pray for and seek, doesn’t always arrive with fanfare. Sometimes it slips into our lives quietly, and in unexpected yet profound ways, much like the newborn wrapped in cloth and laying in a manger.
True peace is not the absence of conflict or hardship. It is the presence of Christ in the midst of them. Bethlehem shows us that God draws near to the humble, the anxious, the weary and the broken. His peace meets us where we are and transforms our hearts from within. When our lives are filled with anxiety, division, and unrest, the Bethlehem candle calls us to make room for Christ’s peace that passes understanding and challenges us to actively work toward becoming peacemakers – the people of God who reflect His gentle healing presence in our homes, workplaces, schools, and communities. Jesus, Prince of Peace, bring your peace to our homes, our hearts and community, we pray.’
Douglas Kemsley
Bridges Church Leadership Team
Douglas Kemsley
Many reject the idea of a grand narrative – a single story that explains the sweep of human history. However, a grand narrative does exist, and Christmas offers a wonderfully hope-filled opportunity to connect with it.
Here are some grand narrative glimpses. Around 2700 years ago the Prophet Micah wrote “… as for you Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth from Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings are from the days of eternity.” This is a prophecy of the coming Messiah. (Micah 5:1-5)
700 years later, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary, not in Judah, but in the Galilee town of Nazareth. He informs her that she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit, and His name will be Jesus. Among things promised, Gabriel declares “He will be great and His Kingdom will have no end.” (Luke 1:26 – 38) This is the grand narrative intersecting with an ordinary life.
Mary says yes and her pregnancy progresses in Nazareth. The grand narrative also progresses; Caesar Augustus issues a decree, that a census be taken, and everyone must register in their hometown. Joseph, betrothed to Mary, sets out with her to his hometown of Bethlehem, and in this way the prophecy of Micah is fulfilled.
In Cambridge this Christmas we can connect our ordinary lives to the grand narrative which is still being played out. This is hope for all, if we will accept it.
