Christmas in Nauru
At Christmas we remember God entering the world in the lowliest possible manner, being born in a stable among animals, identifying from the very first with those who experience insecurity and homelessness and trouble. We remember that shortly after Jesus' birth, Herod's persecution of children forced his parents to become refugees and flee to Egypt with their newborn son for safety and protection. Jesus was a refugee.
This Christmas our thoughts are with Salvationists and staff who will be serving in Nauru and Manus Island amongst some of the world's most vulnerable and distressed people. They too are refugees, searching for a new home and a safe haven.
Whatever you feel about the politics of this issue, no one can deny the human tragedy, desperate people deceived by people smugglers, now finding themselves in a remote, harsh environment, many years away from their dreams of a new and better life. Many feel forgotten and hopeless.
In this environment The Salvation Army is serving, bringing light where there is darkness and seeking to make their difficult situations more tolerable.
Send a message
This Christmas there is an opportunity for all Salvationists and friends to send a tangible, practical message of care and concern to every asylum seeker in our care on Nauru and Manus Island.
The Salvation Army is seeking donations of money to purchase a gift for each man, woman and child in these Off Shore Processing Centres. You can also write a card with a personal christmas greeting and message of hope and encouragement, that will be given with your gift.
Many of the asylum seekers have never experienced Christmas, and don't know the reason why we celebrate and share gifts with each other, but your gift will not only make someone's Christmas day a little brighter, but provide our staff with an opportunity to share the meaning and joy of Christmas.
Please help us bring light to Nauru and Manus Island this Christmas by supporting this special appeal for gifts for asylum seekers.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." (John 1:5 NLT)
Your part
If you'd like to contribute towards gifts for asylum seekers, email offshoremission@aue.salvationarmy.org.
You can send hand-written Christmas cards, to be given with each gift, to:
Off Shore Mission: HR Department
PO BOX A435
SYDNEY SOUTH
NSW, 1235
Comments
To each person I say: Know that God loves you and that you precious in His sight. No matter what the circumstances and challenges are in this life - God knows what you are going through and can be there for you - if you allow Him to be - through a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.
God bless you each.
Christine