Skip to playerSkip to main contentSkip to footer
ABC NEWS (Australia)
  • 12/25/2023
Christmas Services for 2023

Category

📺
TV
Transcript
00:00 All creatures great and small have been out celebrating this Christmas.
00:07 From this pet-friendly service in Melbourne, to a more traditional gathering at St. Peter's
00:14 in Adelaide, and a charity lunch with the Prime Minister in Sydney, religious and secular
00:23 leaders have been offering messages of hope.
00:26 This is a festive time, but for many Australians it will be a very difficult time.
00:31 And it's been a time where we've seen the best of the Australian character that always
00:37 comes out at the most difficult of occasions.
00:40 In a world of tears and trouble, Christmas reminds us that we're not alone, we're not
00:45 forgotten, and we're loved.
00:47 We're loved by God who sent his son for our sakes.
00:49 References to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a common thread in services around the country.
00:56 In Bethlehem and Jerusalem, Israel and Gaza, terrorists and armies do their damnedest.
01:05 This is our world today.
01:07 It's a world of suffering and pain, but because of Christmas, my friends, it's a world not
01:12 without hope.
01:13 Palestinian Christians in Sydney put on a brave face today to find solace from news
01:18 of death and destruction in Gaza.
01:21 It's Christmas Day today, but as you know, we don't feel it.
01:24 We're focusing more on praying and lamenting because there's nothing else left.
01:30 Their sentiments heard and shared by federal cabinet minister Tony Burke.
01:34 I couldn't think of anywhere more important in Australia to pray today.
01:39 Christians across the nation have celebrated the birth of Christ today in different ways,
01:44 whether through raised hands, singing, prayers, or even charity lunches like this one, coming
01:49 together for a meal with people from all walks of life.
01:52 Organisers here say more people have been feeling the pinch this year.
01:57 People are reaching out to us, looking for support, who've never reached out for support
02:01 before, whether it's to pay a bill or to help their kids at school or just for some food
02:07 relief.
02:08 Such a lovely togetherness for everybody, no matter who you are, what you are, and we
02:12 love that spirit for Christmas.
02:14 As spirit, Australians are praying we'll carry over into the new year.
02:19 [BLANK_AUDIO]

Recommended

2:55
Up next
The Accidentals Christmas Concert 2023
Highland News & Media
12/21/2023
2:17
The News' Christmas Carol Service
The News, Portsmouth
12/8/2024
5:24
Santa visits the Children's Ward in Derry, Christmas 2023
Derry Journal
12/21/2023
5:00
New Christmas Music 2023
LifeMinute.tv
12/2/2023
2:04
Three charged after $897,000 worth of drugs discovered in Queensland
Australian Community Media
yesterday
1:07
'Prince of Darkness' Ozzy Osbourne dies, aged 76
Australian Community Media
yesterday
1:11
ANU music school protest
The Canberra Times
yesterday
1:02
Pauline Hanson puts David Pocock on the spot on day one in new Parliament
The Canberra Times
2 days ago
1:27
Why have property prices in Tuggeranong gone up?
The Canberra Times
3 days ago
1:51
South Australia steelworks faces taxpayer questions despite costing less than expected
ABC NEWS (Australia)
today
3:19
Mater Hospital's religious abortion ban leaves couple feeling 'abandoned'
ABC NEWS (Australia)
today
2:11
Heart disease sufferers could go without treatment amid drug shortage in Northern Territory
ABC NEWS (Australia)
today
1:37
Darwin Show organisers complete finishing touches for thrill-seekers this weekend
ABC NEWS (Australia)
today
1:34
Darwin hotel stood up as makeshift detention centre for illegal fishers
ABC NEWS (Australia)
today
2:59
Sydney Trains chief says new digital solution to network chaos a ‘huge opportunity’
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
1:43
Local shares and AUD rise, falling productivity shrinks national wealth
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
1:18
Australian National University music students rally against administrative cuts
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
1:54
Modelling shows toxic South Australia algal bloom could spread further
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
2:11
Commission of Inquiry into Child Safety System begins in Queensland
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
3:59
Hobart couple buy former boarding house to house vulnerable women
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
1:39
First Nations people are more likely to miss out on super benefits
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
7:55
Prisons watchdog says one of Western Australia’s largest jails breaches human rights
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
3:41
Calls for intervention after 11-year-old girl left alone in watchhouse cell
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
4:11
First Nations peoples are more likely to miss out on super benefits
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday
0:53
Inquiry into Queensland’s child safety holds it’s first hearing
ABC NEWS (Australia)
yesterday