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From rocky beginnings in November 1883 – when onlookers exploded flour bombs in the Salvationists’ faces or threw mud and beer, to near unanimous support in 2023 – The Salvation Army in Launceston has come a long way. The Salvos were not always received warmly in the early days – they were seen as a “noisy and disrespectful bunch to many, encouraging the larrikins of the town”, and often arrested during their parades. However, on Sunday 26 November, the Launceston Corps received a very different reception when the community came together to celebrate exactly 140 years from their first service. Corps Officer Aux-Lieut Roderick Brown said the celebration was a testament to the faithfulness and hard work of those who had come before. “We have a long history of supporting people in practical ways, in tangible ways, and supporting people holistically with their spiritual needs too,” Roderick said. “The Salvation Army is a faith-based movement, motivated by the love of Jesus. So that’s why we do what we do; helping and caring for people and trying to show them how valued each and every person is in the eyes of God. We want to lift them up.” Over the past 140 years, 96 corps officers have been appointed in Launceston, all doing their bit, as Roderick says, to support others when they need it most. “I’ve been involved with The Salvation Army all my life,” he said. “But I've been working here the last eight years, and seriously involved for the past 16 years. “God called me into this to serve people and serve the community. And seeing the positive transformation made in some people’s lives makes it all worthwhile.” During the anniversary celebration, photos and archive materials were available to look at and church friends and family shared stories and memories from their time in the corps. Within two years of the Army ‘opening fire’ in Launceston, the present corps site in Elizabeth Street was obtained and built upon in 1885. It’s reported that about 1100 people attended the opening of the Elizabeth Street Barracks, with a further 300 to 400 more outside, unable to get in. In November 2010, the latest building restructure and remodel occurred, integrating all of the Launceston services into one site. Over the years, the Salvationists opened many social service initiatives and places, including a maternity hospital for unmarried mothers and other young women “to whom life had been unkind”; provided shelter to unemployed single men; fed and clothed those affected by the 1929 Invermay floods; ran soup kitchens in the winter and during the Great Depression; and much more. After 1945, The Salvation Army responded to new social problems by extending its services to assisting people experiencing homelessness, missing persons, drug, gambling, and alcohol abuse, disability and migrant services, employment, and aged accommodation, and helped in emergencies like the 1967 bushfires. In 1970, the annual Red Shield Appeal doorknock began, raising much-needed funds. In the first year, The Salvation Army raised $9153, equivalent to about $119,206 today. Despite the initial protests against the Army, The Examiner newspaper reported on 30 November 1883 that “the effects of the good these people are doing is becoming plainly visible”. An edited version of an article that first appeared in Launceston newspaper The Examiner, author Stephanie Dalton. Photographer: Phillip Biggs

BY JULIA HOSKING This year has been filled with all sorts of challenges on both a widespread and personal level. The good news of Christmas is that, even when the world or our circumstances change, the message is timeless because Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, God’s Son, and how he came to give us love, hope and joy. In a display of the importance of women, the angel Gabriel first appeared to a young woman named Mary. He told her that she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus – that is, she would give birth to the Son of God. “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus,” the angel said (Luke chapter 1, verses 30-31). Mary had every reason to be afraid. She was unmarried but engaged to Joseph, and to be pregnant out of wedlock would have been scandalous, but the angel assured Mary of God’s love and his plans for her. It is doubtful that all her family and friends believed her story, but thankfully Joseph did, as an angel had visited him too. Through all the challenges and difficult situations she would have faced from that moment on, Mary held onto the promises of God. “No matter how hard or hopeless our situation may appear, God is there for us.” When the time came for Mary to give birth to Jesus, she had to travel to Bethlehem for a census. The census meant the town was very busy, and no guest rooms were available for Mary and Joseph. So she gave birth in a stable or barn and laid Jesus down in a manger (an animal feeding trough). There was no royal welcome in a palace for Jesus, the Son of God. Instead, on the night of his birth, he was sleeping rough. As he grew, Jesus experienced persecution, loneliness, grief, hunger, anger and more. He came into the world to experience life as a human – to live among people and understand their struggles. Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew chapter 1, verse 23), is another name for Jesus. His birth and life is a message of good news for us because it means we are never alone. No matter how hard or hopeless our situation may appear, God is there for us. “You are loved, and you can feel hopeful and joyful.” It is this message that gives us comfort and great joy to celebrate at Christmas. As the angel said to a group of shepherds on the night Jesus was born, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke chapter 2, verse 10). Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ is more than a Christian holiday or a Christian festival. It is an opportunity to pause and give thanks for the love, hope and joy found in Jesus, our Saviour and friend. As we exchange gifts with loved ones, it is out of remembrance of the gift God gave us in Jesus – the gift that we are loved, are never alone and can have hope for the future. Your Christmas this year might look different to previous years. It may not match up to the commercial images you see or hopes you have. But the true meaning of Christmas doesn’t depend on the number of gifts under a tree. The message of Christmas doesn’t change if you are surrounded by family, missing loved ones for the first time or on your own. God’s love is for everyone. You are not alone. You are loved, and you can feel hopeful and joyful. That is the true meaning of Christmas. Where in the Bible can I read the Christmas story? You can read the full Christmas message in the Bible, in Matthew chapters 1 and 2, and Luke chapters 1 and 2.

BY LAUREN MARTIN A group of teenagers from Caringbah and Woolooware high schools in Sydney joined forces this year to change their local communities for the better through The Salvation Army’s Hope Internship Program. The Salvation Army Hope Internship Program is an initiative designed for students who are passionate about social justice and making a difference in the community. The program teaches students the skills needed to be innovative, strategic and influential leaders – now and in the future. Participants in this year’s program met throughout the year to work on community engagement, fundraising and advocacy projects supported by a network of professionals from the Salvos and the local community. The program was initiated and run by the territorial ‘Salvos Schools’ team’s Roza Gutschow, who worked closely with the local corps and services in the Shire Salvos area where the schools were based. Joel Campbell, Shire Salvos Mission Leader (Menai), said the students were passionate fundraisers for the Red Shield Appeal earlier this year and also had raised awareness at their schools around the work of The Salvation Army and the various local social issues they were learning about in the Internship Program. “It’s great to see that the next generation wants to have an impact on the world, and The Salvation Army can partner with them to make their visions become a reality.” On Friday 1 December, the Shire Hope Interns celebrated their achievements and showcased their final project – a food pantry for The Salvation Army’s new mission work at Heathcote. The interns have committed to supplying food for the pantry by collecting donations through their school communities. “Our pantry box was originally created because we, as the Hope Interns, decided that there wasn’t enough available,” said Hannah, one of the interns. “And we wanted to create something for people that not only benefitted people when they needed it but was able for the community to give when they had too much and take when they had too little.” Another intern, Cheryl, said the Hope Internship was one of the highlights of her year: “The best thing about the program was being able to connect with other young people who also had the same passion to make a difference in the community.” It’s hoped that a second year of the Hope Internship Program will be offered in high schools throughout the Sutherland Shire in 2024.

To read Margaret’s tribute, click here

BY IVAN BEREZKIN The Ukrainian city of Kharkiv has been constantly bombarded since the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. A small Salvation Army team recently provided assistance to the residents of Saltivka, the district of Kharkiv that has suffered some of the worst destruction due to constant Russian shelling. Despite all the hardships of life in Kharkiv, people continue residing here. The Salvation Army team, including local corps leaders, responded to community needs when some humanitarian aid arrived from overseas. Saltivka is located next to the Russian border. For this reason, fierce battles in the first days of the full-scale invasion took place here. Even during these days, many days after the Russians were pushed out of the Kharkiv region, Saltivka remains restless and continues to suffer from Russian shelling. The people still living here have nowhere to go and are in need of care and attention. We saw the ‘wounds and scars’ of the war everywhere during the humanitarian aid distribution to the Saltivka residents. These included lots of broken windows, smashed roofs, burned and demolished houses and, of course, lots of pain – pain that penetrates the very heart when you look into the eyes of those who continue to live here. Yuri is one of the residents we met in Saltivka. He lives in his old house, built in 1933. “You know, my house was not damaged at all during the German occupation during World War Two, but it was not able to survive the ‘fraternal Russian’ war. I constantly repair my home, but I don’t have time, the damage is increasing.” To somehow support Yuri, we gave him a refugee kit – a tent; two beds, sleeping bags, tables and chairs; a gas cylinder with a stove; a kettle and essential utensils. Yuri was surprised and moved. “Thank you for coming here to us and bringing such wonderful gifts!” he said. “Now I have a place to rest while I renovate my house. I have a place to cook and even sleep! Thank you! Your kindness gives me hope and faith in the future, because we are not alone, and the world supports us! Thank you!” In addition to the food aid, we distributed 10 of these refugee kits. One of them was given to a 50-year-old man with disabilities, Ihor Viktorovych Davydenko. He lives in a multi-flat building which is constantly shelled. “I am very grateful to The Salvation Army for the refugee kit,” he said. “I will use it when the heating gets cut off, or when I get my windows broken. Unfortunately, this is a very common situation for Saltivka, so most of my neighbours have left, but I stayed. Thank you for helping me!” Oleksandr suffered a stroke a few years ago. He had a heart attack at the beginning of this (northern) autumn. He also caught our attention. His house has seriously suffered from this brutal war. The Salvation Army in Ukraine, together with the residents of Saltivka, would like to express their sincere gratitude to everyone who has given prayer, emotional and financial support! May the Lord richly bless you and return you a hundredfold! Thank you!

Gallery 101 at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London is featuring an exhibition throughout December entitled ‘The Quiet Heart of Christmas’. To view the exhibition online, click here. Based on the Christmas message from General Lyndon Buckingham (available at Salvosonline.org.au on 20 December), the exhibition features the Christmas story from the perspective of each of the four gospels. It will operate through to 4 January 2024. “Each of the gospels presents a different view of Christmas,” writes General Buckingham. “It’s easy for us to become so engaged with the trappings of the Christmas story. That may include things that we have become accustomed to, that are not even mentioned in any of the gospels. Instead, we can sometimes miss the quiet heart of Christmas as related in Scripture. “This year, perhaps we can focus again on what the gospels actually tell us about the coming of Jesus. One who comes for those who are sinners and outcasts. One who comes to be King. One who comes to be Immanuel – God with us. One who comes to be our Saviour. One who has existed from all eternity.” For more information, go to sar.my/gallery101

A partnership between 2508 Salvos in southern Sydney, the local Salvos Store and a generous music teacher has resulted in a local child accessing piano lessons. The primary school-aged boy realised his love for music when visiting a friend’s home and noticing a keyboard. He started to play and didn’t want to leave! The boy and his sibling are cared for by their grandmother, who relies on Centrelink benefits, so they are financially unable to pay for after-school activities. The family is regularly supported by 2508 Salvos. “One of the disadvantages of living in financial stress is that children often miss out on things that their peers take for granted,” said Lauren Martin, Mission Leader of 2508 Salvos, based in Helensburgh. “Things like weekend sport, swimming lessons, and after-school activities.” “Here in Helensburgh and the surrounding suburbs, we like to support individuals and families holistically, and we work with the local community in caring for each other. With that in mind, I often partner with local businesses to see if they can provide subsidised services for locals in need, with The Salvation Army contributing to some of the cost and the family or individual also contributing, but at a lower amount than the advertised rate. “When we heard about this boy’s love of music, I approached a local music tutor to see how we could work together to support him.” That music teacher is Alison Garvie, who jumped at the chance to help. “I love to teach, and if there’s an enthusiastic kid out there that wants to learn and can’t afford lessons, I’m happy to help,” she said, adding that the boy is fun and creative and enjoying learning C-intervals and reading music. Lauren spoke to her local Salvos Stores about the potential for sourcing a donated keyboard to assist in his learning. Area Manager Dale Cheetham put a call out throughout the area, and a few weeks later, a good-quality keyboard and stand was delivered by Salvos Stores truck to the Helensburgh store with a note to say it had come from Nowra Salvos Store on the South Coast, to be used for the mission. “What a delight it was to deliver that keyboard and stand!” says Lauren. “His grandmother contacted me later in the afternoon to say that the boy had been using it for hours.” His grandmother says if it weren’t for the Salvos and Alison’s generosity, she would never be able to afford for her grandson to pursue his passion for music. “He’s really getting into it,” she said. “There’s one classical song, and he’s getting really good at it. It’s something positive to do with his time. “It’s his special thing.”

For the past 80 years, The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) have aimed to support people and communities at their greatest point of need during natural disasters. Cyclones, floods, bushfires or earthquakes – there will always be SAES teams on the ground supporting those on the frontline of any emergency. The Salvation Army is privileged to be part of these displays of great resilience and strength, partnering with communities and being present for the long haul.

BY PETER MCGUIGAN As far as spectacular goes, nothing beats an ocean sunrise on a cloudless morning. Orange, pink and yellow hues in the sky herald a new day, and it’s not long before the sun peeks above the horizon, lighting up the Earth. As I write, I’m in the South Asian nation of Sri Lanka. For three consecutive mornings, I have watched the sun rise over the Bay of Bengal from Trincomalee on the country’s north-east coast. The night before the first morning, I checked what time the sun would rise – 5.50am! I made a point of being on the beach half an hour earlier to catch the early glow and first hints of colour as they began to show. The darkness and us There’s a saying that goes, “It’s always darkest before the dawn”, first penned by English theologian Thomas Fuller in 1650. The phrase is actually not true in the natural world. Often, it is darkest much earlier in the night when the sun is furthest from the horizon. The saying, like most, is a metaphor for life. It refers to dark times in our experience as human beings. Often, our deepest darknesses occur just before a flicker of light penetrates the darkness and fresh hope dawns. For Thomas Fuller, I have no doubt it was about the God who watches over us and loves us, never failing to come through just at the right time. The first Christmas was a classic case, and, as a believer in Jesus, I take heart from how the prophet Isaiah and Gospel writers have written about it amid dark times on planet Earth. At the time of Jesus’ birth, ancient Rome had annexed most of the known world for its own empire-expanding purposes. Nations’ freedoms, their right to self-government and autonomy had been curtailed. Their wealth had been pillaged, and their cultures and religions were challenged by colonisation. Yet 700 years prior, the prophet Isaiah, himself living amid dark times, announced, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; to those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned … For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah chapter 9, verses 2, 6). Light in the darkness The Gospels record the finer details of Jesus’ birth, each focusing on light bursting through darkness: “We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him,” says Matthew’s account of the wise men from the east. They followed the star, and it stopped over the place where Jesus was born. “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed” (Matthew 2:1-12). “An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them,” says Luke’s account of shepherds in the field who were watching over their flock by night. “Do not be afraid,” the angel said to them. “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke chapter 2, verses 9-12). “In him was life, and that life was the light of all humankind,” says the Gospel of John. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it … The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John chapter 1, verses 4, 5, 9). We need “the light” – something to believe in, something that far transcends our human myopia and distractedness and vulnerability to the darkness. Something with power to hold our focus, reach us deep within, and draw out from us all the good under the sun. Major Peter McGuigan is an Australian Salvation Army officer who has been appointed as Property Secretary (Primary Appt.) & Assistant Secretary for Business Administration for the Sri Lanka Territory

When Kylie Thomsen was aged just four, she was hit by a car while crossing the road – her little body broken from head to foot. It was to change her life forever. But tough times have been no deterrent for this extraordinary lady who has given more than 20 years of voluntary service to her beloved Salvos. With International Volunteer Day upon us, Salvos Online writer LERISSE SMITH chatted with Kylie about her love of helping others and why it gets her up every day. It was one fateful family day out with her parents that was to change the trajectory of Kylie’s life forever. With the sun shining and her mum grabbing much-awaited cuppas for both herself and her husband, little Kylie excitedly ran across the road to tell her dad his coffee was ready. But instead of fixing her eyes on the road, she gazed up to the neighbouring hillside. It was then Kylie’s life was to change in an instant. A car accidentally ran into her, resulting in not only a broken body but permanent brain damage, too. “It’s been life-altering as it stays with you for life,” Kylie reflected. “But I just push my sleeves up and get up each day to give a helping hand to others. It doesn’t matter what it is or where, if help is needed and I can do it, then I will do it.” And Kylie has indeed done it – many times over. Since becoming a volunteer at 28, Kylie has walked into the doors of The Salvation Army’s Bendigo Corps Community Services every week for more than 20 years and loved every minute of it. Her achievements span a long list. Kylie has undertaken a myriad of projects over the years – from helping to create special items for the Army’s church premises and assisting programs at the Community Services premises, including those connected with the NDIS, through to helping people at the coalface during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she helped to create a large timber Christian cross, signifying the crucifixion of Jesus, which is a key feature at the Community Services’ waiting room, plus an eight-foot benchtop at its café. Pandemic assistance Another testament to Kylie’s love of serving people and her selflessness is driving the Army’s church bus on Sundays to pick up people coming to church and then dropping them home afterwards. One key volunteer mission Kylie fondly recalls was when she served the local Bendigo community members throughout the pandemic. Her tasks included assisting the local food pantry and chef with cooking community meals for locals struggling through the crisis. And when the floods hit the local region last year, Kylie and the team from Bendigo Emergency Services pumped up many bed mattresses for people unable to reside in their homes. Initially, there were no air compressors, quality pumps or any other items to help, so Kylie pumped up the mattresses with a little hand pump. “I felt really proud that I actually had done two beds on my own before they came in with an air compressor,” she said. “Many people were affected by the floods. I was driving our church bus to take people to the op shops to get clean clothes, plus caravan parks and hotels. I really went out on a limb to help them through being involved with the mobile cooking trucks, the emergency services and preparing meals as a lot of people were coming in that needed assistance.” So, why does Kylie volunteer? “I just want to help people and, you know, to feel better within myself, too,” she said. “And to know I have helped someone that day.” Where it all started Kylie’s foray into the volunteer world began around 2003 when she was undertaking a special woodworking program at the Community Services’ premises and mentioned to her supervisor at that time, Dave, that she wanted to work for the Salvos having been helped by the Army during various times of her life. Her overriding reason was that she wanted to give something back. “My exact words to Dave were ‘I want to do something for the Salvos’,” Kylie said. “I told Dave I didn’t want to work in the garden because that was too slack for me, and I was not brainy enough to go on the computers. So, I didn’t know where to go. Dave just then grinned at me and said, “How about you start here with me? “I then said, ‘But if I like it, you probably won't get rid of me.’ Dave had a bit of a chuckle – and yeah, I am still there today!” Many light and fun moments have also formed part of Kylie’s journey. She recollected helping out in the gardens, something she swore she would never do, and moving about 30 cubic metres of soil, plus erecting a steel frame for a shade mesh to go over the top of the vegetables. A further memorable moment was the time she ended up covered in grease after offering to clean ovens from the services’ café that were not working due to a build-up of oil and fat. Life-changing commitment Bendigo Community Services Manager Belinda Smith said Kylie’s contribution, commitment, and caring nature had been invaluable during her time at the Salvos. “To say she is part of the family would be an understatement,” Belinda said. “Kylie epitomises what we love to have in our volunteers. Her willingness to help others and preparedness to go above and beyond when asked is truly inspiring. We appreciate all that she does here at The Salvation Army, so this is a great opportunity to say thank you.” – Belinda Smith When Kylie started volunteering, she came to the services hub five days a week. She now has paid employment one day a week and attends two days, including assisting the Women’s Shed. Always accompanying her is Kylie’s beloved dog, Sebbi. “Volunteering and being at Community Services has really changed my life,” she said. “I have gone through a lot in my life with my upbringing and other stuff. I was really nervous and could not talk to people initially. But now I am able to talk to people and have a conversation with them. My main catchphrase is, ‘Hi mate, how are you going?’ and I like to walk alongside people and try to encourage people. “I’ve really enjoyed being a volunteer. To just be around people and to learn new things. And when something happens, you know, you can turn around and say, you know, I was a part of that.” Aside from volunteering, Kylie’s proud accomplishment is completing her Certificate 4 in Disability. And, in her spare time, she also loves to crochet blankets to assist the Salvos. So, what’s Kylie’s advice to anyone wanting to volunteer? It’s a simple one. “Give it a go,” she said. “Because you will get friends out of it, and it will be good. Knowing that I’m helping the community and knowing I am walking alongside people when they really need someone is a really good feeling.”

Whether we turn on the telly, glimpse social media or have a natter with our neighbour, there’s no escaping the hot topic of Australia’s housing crisis. It’s everywhere. But what is it like for those who work in the crisis homelessness sector? Salvos Online writer LERISSE SMITH spoke with Leah Farnham, North-east Victoria Youth Services Regional Manager, about the harsh realities of the accommodation crisis, the joys of working with resilient young people, her passion for hope – and collecting a great bunch of humans along the way. Celebrating every human who walks through the doors of The Salvation Army’s Northeast Victoria Youth Services is a top priority for Leah and her team. Chat with Leah about her work, young people and her staff, a “great bunch of humans” as she fondly describes them, and it becomes immediately apparent she’s greatly passionate about her role as the Regional Manager of the youth services team. She also calls it straight when describing the challenges of working in a sector. Dominated by a constant stream of news headlines about the accommodation crisis and the harsh fact that young adults aged from 16 to 25 who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of being homeless simply cannot access the private rental market, Leah says it’s tough – and she feels for all those who work in the homelessness sector. “It’s super hard,” Leah emphasised. “Beyond hard.” But holding hope close at all times is the positive dominating force, a ‘big thing’ working in the homelessness sector, coupled with celebrating their little wins with the young people. “To have hope is so important,” Leah explained. “To keep morale up for your staff because they have to make tough decisions. They are not in it (the sector) to make those tough decisions, they’re in it to help people. So, it’s always going to be a challenge. They come into this sector because they want to make a difference, to make a change, and they have these hearts of gold. “It can be really demoralising for the staff, and so it is about making sure that we celebrate every human that we get in and every small win because we’re not getting those big wins. We are not into getting young people into the private rental market and not seeing that sustainable social housing outcome. “It’s really important to grow super passionate humans into our sector that understand what young people are going through.” “So, it is about, did they go to school today? Yes, they did. That’s fantastic! Did they learn how to cook a meal today? Absolutely, they did. That’s great! Our team and our team culture are just fantastic. I’ve collected such a great bunch of humans along the way. And they’re all so different and so quirky. But they all gel and get along really well. “If you don’t have that hope, then you’ll start to drown out the outcomes for young people. So, it is about how do we keep our staff safe? How do we make them feel supported and celebrated? I think that’s something that we really do well, and that’s what helps us generate really great outcomes for our young people. And I’m really excited about continuing that.” Family reconciliation The Youth Services program has a new family reconciliation pilot program that they are running alongside new accommodation in Shepparton, with one of the beds dedicated to family reconciliation. It is for young people experiencing interpersonal conflicts within the home, with a worker coming alongside the young person and family. On top of that, they hold the biggest contract in the Northeast for youth justice programs, plus have group conferencing, diversion and community support services and “a whole heap of stuff in that sphere” too. A key focus for Leah and her team is to engage the wider social work community services sector to see that working in homelessness is a positive and rewarding career. “It’s really important to grow super passionate humans into our sector that understand what young people are going through,” she said. “But also, that they, the staff, feel a sense of rapport with each other, so we can support and develop sector-wide responses and culture. “Secondary to that part is The Salvation Army itself. We have such great internal resources, and we’re lucky enough here in Shepparton; that our team at a state level are really working hard to look at transitional housing for young people out of accommodation and being able to be supported through the Mission support funding in order to look at other ways that young people can transition is really fantastic.” The other key component of the Youth Services’ focus is the young people themselves. “Our young people excite us the most,” Leah said. “It doesn’t matter how many young people we get through the door; it matters to us when we do get a young person, and what does that young person look like at the end of their journey? Have they gained something from their experience with us? “Young people have so much personality, joy, love and hope, and it truly is a joy to be at work and watch your team and your leaders engage with these young people and to see the joy on staff and young people’s faces when that happens.” “If I was to have a crystal ball and look at what would happen in five years time, if we can have staff that are engaged, happy, with a great culture, and we have young people achieving whatever goal that they need, and we have transitional housing – then that would be my goal.” New youth crisis accommodation facility opens in Shepparton. Click here to read the story.

BY PHIL INGLIS Every year I am a little cautious about throwing around the words “Merry Christmas”!  Or “Happy Christmas”, or “Happy Holidays”, or whatever! This year has been a tough one on a global scale. We were still recovering from the economic effects of the pandemic when Russia invaded Ukraine, with the resulting economic conditions causing widespread hardship. Climate has also contributed to the pain, with increasing temperatures giving rise to extreme weather events, leaving death and destruction across the world. This has meant that, for many of us, 2023 has been a difficult year. The cost of electricity, groceries and housing is going up like a rocket. Many have been unable to pay rent or afford the basics of existence. The demand for Salvation Army services has grown dramatically, and we expect this to continue as the economy continues to struggle.  Christmas is going to be very different for people this year. People are weary. Not tired, like we need an afternoon nap, but weary like we need a 6-month holiday. So, you can see that this year, I am even more cautious about saying “Merry Christmas”. And yet, my favourite Christmas carol is O Holy Night, and it has the line “The weary world rejoices.” What the heck? Why is it worth getting out a tree? Why is it worth putting on lights (that use expensive electricity)? Why is it worth going shopping for loved ones? Why is it worth gathering with family? Why is it worth going to church?  There’s just so much going on right now, so much is hard right now, why don’t I just fade into the weariness and forget Christmas this year? Why, in heaven’s name, would a weary world rejoice? “People are weary. Not tired, like we need an afternoon nap, but weary like we need a six-month holiday.” The unique spiritual truth of the Christmas story is that God, however we understand God, came to be one of us. Came and lived among us. This is not a particularly strange story.  Ancient mythology has lots of stories of gods like Zeus, Apollo and Thor coming to earth and having dealings with humanity. They fight battles for, with or against humanity, they lead, teach, build and do all sorts of things. They were ancient superheroes; they came alongside humanity … but they were different. They still stood apart and above humanity. Christmas says something different about Jesus. Jesus, the one we believe to be the one true God, was not like Thor – a superhero with a hammer and wrapped in a cape. Instead, he was a baby in a manger, wrapped in a cloth …  fully and completely immersed in human existence and experience – not standing separate and apart. “Why would a weary world rejoice?” The Bible says, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel’ which is translated, ‘God with us’,” (Matthew chapter 1, verse 23). This truth should slowly transform our understanding of ourselves, God and the universe. Even when times are rough, hard, hurtful and frustrating – even when times are incredibly weary – God is present. God is not distant, unfeeling, unable to relate – God is down-to-earth, understanding and available. At Christmas, we don’t rejoice EVEN THOUGH we are weary; we rejoice exactly BECAUSE God knows about weariness and walks with us in empathy and understanding. We look forward with a little more love and hope, a little less anxiety and a little more joy. Major Phil Inglis is a Salvation Army officer (pastor) in Victoria.