Fed: Triumph of light over darkness is Xmas message

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-1999
Fed: Triumph of light over darkness is Xmas message

The Uniting Church says the message of Christmas is that even amid the darkness of
war and trouble, the light will never be quenched.

In the church's Christmas message, Victorian moderator, the Reverend PAM KERR says
looking at the trouble spots around the world - East Timor, Chechnya, Kosovo - it's easy
to lose hope.

But Ms KERR says in this darkness of war and trouble, the light shines.

She says each time a welcome is offered to a homeless one; each time a government has
courage enough to stand up to those who maintain their power with violence instead of
right; each time we are a little more generous, the light shines brighter.

Anglican Church administrator of Melbourne Bishop JOHN STEWART has decried the homelessness
affecting the world's 50 million refugees and asked Christians to seek the message of
Christmas.

Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne GEORGE PELL says the birth of Jesus changed the world
and taught us to love one another.

The Salvation Army says both Christmas and Calvary show that the holy vulnerability
of a baby is essential if Christians are to win people for God.

And the Rev JIM BARR, of Melbourne's Collins Street Baptist Church, says the Christmas
message of peace can be received with world-weary cynicism or taken seriously in following
Jesus' way.

AAP RTV er/msk

KEYWORD: XMAS CHURCHES (MELBOURNE)

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