The Light of Christmas shines in our darkness — Christmas 2025

Posted on December 22, 2025 
Filed under Good News, Sydney Diocese

From Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net, the Archbishop’s Christmas message –

“The Archbishop of Sydney Kanishka Raffel says the message of Christmas will be felt more deeply amid the horrific events at Bondi less than two weeks before Christmas.

‘This year, a pall of darkness was cast over Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights,’ the Archbishop said. ‘The attack that brought that darkness targeted the Jewish community — our fellow Australians.’

The Archbishop said it was understandable that people will have mixed feelings approaching Christmas. …”

– Read it all here.

Also, watch (and share) the video –
and download the Archbishop’s message as a PDF file.

Full text:

Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
2025 Christmas Message

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)

This year, a pall of darkness was cast over Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights. The attack that brought that darkness targeted the Jewish community — our fellow Australians.

So, it is understandable that we have mixed feelings as we approach Christmas. How can we celebrate when there is such darkness in the world, and it has come so close?

The Bible speaks poignantly into this very moment. Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah wrote: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

For Christians, that light is Jesus.

Christmas isn’t escapism. Christmas is God’s rescue. The God of justice and mercy comes into this rebellious and messed up world where evil plays havoc, to bring the light of life.

Hope was born when Jesus came into the world.

Later, Isaiah speaks of a time when all conflict will end and God will establish a government of peace and justice forever. How can this be?

“For, to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Those familiar words of Christmas speak with even deeper power amid the terrible events we have witnessed in recent days.

God has not turned his back on us; this Christmas let’s turn to Him in faith, love and hope.

Kanishka Raffel
Archbishop of Sydney
Christmas 2025