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Writer's pictureCarol Barron

The True Meaning of Christmas

This article was first published in Touchstone in December 2020.


Advent is a time of reflection and celebration. We reflect on 2020 and the changes COVID-19 brought to everyday life. Our world changed dramatically and we all had to adapt to it. For some, Alert Level 4 lockdown was a time of reconnecting with family and enjoying stress free family time. For others, it was a time of stress, extra work demands, isolation from family and disruption of normal life.


Looking back on 2020, we can also celebrate the radical hospitality, extravagant generosity, and courageous service people from our Methodist Missions, Parishes & Trusts provided to the most vulnerable in our communities. The workers in the Missions, Parishes & Trust have done truly amazing work under extreme circumstances. They have gone above and beyond. They are worthy of acknowledgement of this work and praise for it. Thank you.


COVID-19 created a much wider economic divide between the rich and poor in Aotearoa. And it has also provided us with an opportunity to critically examine what is important for us as Kiwis, what we want to change in society, and how we can make these changes sustainable over the long term.


As we are coming near to Christmas, it is time to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and the four candles of the Advent wreath provides a structure for doing this.


Hope - Jesus offers hope to the world. Hope is what is offered for those who live on the margins, who do not have acceptance and are in a situation that seems utterly hopeless.

Hope is what is given to people who experience homelessness. Housing First does just this – it provides direct access for people into permanent housing and provides wrap around support services to maintain these tenancies. This model recognises it is easier for people to address issues such as mental health and substance use when they are housed. Lifewise and Christchurch Methodist Mission are both providing Housing First in Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch & Blenheim.


In Hamilton, Methodist City Action has an advocacy service for the deaf and hearing-impaired. Their advocate, Jean, accompanies people to appointments with professionals or government departments and provides interpreter services and basic literary, numeracy and budgeting assistance.


Peace – the willingness to rest in God’s presence in the midst of the busyness of life. Mana Whānau is a six-month, intensive, in-home parenting support programme for whānau who are at risk of having their children removed from their care by Oranga Tamariki provided by Lifewise and Wesley Community Action. This work provides support to whānau who are often so busy with the things life has thrown at them they struggle to find the peace to be able to parent easily and well.


Methodist Mission Southern and Palmerston North Methodist Mission both offer the parenting programme Parenting Through Separation which gives parents tools and tips for dealing with the separation, how to share care of their children with the ex-partner and how separation may affect their child. These missions offer a bit of peace for these parents when they are going through a significant change in their life.


Joy – the freedom from fear, guilt, and bitterness that steals joy from the soul. There is joy in providing homes for those whānau who do not have a home. Aotearoa had 18,520 households on the social housing register in June 2020 – an increase of 50% since June 2019. A partnership between Wesley Community Action & Airedale Property Trust at Wesley Rātā Village has led to the development of 25 new homes. The site also hosts Kiwi Can Do job-skills training with young people living in the old hospital building. They are learning valuable skills and many have gone on to secure employment in the construction industry.


Love - Boldness to build stronger, grace-filled, loving relationships with others. This is at the core of the projects that the members of the Building Stronger Communities Community of Practice do. The video they created shows how parishes can connect with their community and respond using community led development principles. The video premiered at Conference in November without the red carpet, but it is a great resource and you can view the video here - https://vimeo.com/comptondc/review/470881214/dc903fb59c.


The final candle of the Advent wreath represents Jesus – the reason for the season. So during Advent, I challenge you to consider what the real meaning of Christmas is and how you can make your community more just and equitable where everyone can flourish?


Feel free to contact your local Methodist Mission to see how you can be part of the reason for the season.


Carol Barron, National Coordinator

03 375 0512 | 027 561 9164 | Carol@MethodistAlliance.org.nz

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