Jesus is our Prince of Peace. Yet Scripture reminds us that this peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but the restoration of what is broken — between God and humanity, and among people themselves. In a world marked by loss, brokenness, and deep need, God often chooses to make His peace visible through His people, as they embody His love and compassion. We are therefore called to be channels through whom His peace flows to others.
Our giving this Christmas is not merely a response to immediate needs, but a participation in God’s reconciling work in the world.
Part of our Christmas collection will support those impacted by the devastating fire disaster in Tai Po, Hong Kong, through Hong Kong World Vision. Hong Kong is widely known for its high-rise buildings, and few could have anticipated that a renovation project would end in such tragedy. Many lives were lost, and many more families lost their homes. For example, over 60 members from a Baptist church in Tai Po were displaced. (related article: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/12/hong-kong-apartments-fire-church-christians/). While rebuilding will take place in time, the trauma, disruption, and challenges of temporary housing will continue to affect survivors and grieving families long after the headlines fade. With the roots of many in our congregation tracing back to Hong Kong, we feel a deep responsibility to stand with them in this season of suffering.
The remaining portion of the Christmas collection will support a Christian ministry dedicated to nurturing the discipleship of First Nations’ Christian leaders. While there are many First Nations’ churches, many of them continue to face challenges in their development and long-term growth. Supportive mentoring and accompanying relationships with Christian leaders from different backgrounds can help foster ongoing spiritual formation among First Nations leaders, thereby strengthening church growth and the work of the gospel. Such participation also reflects God’s heart to make disciples of all nations — not only those who are closest or most familiar to us.
As a spiritual family, we give together to support those in need. Yet we are also invited to reflect personally: whose needs has the Spirit brought to our attention among our friends, neighbours, or relatives? These needs may be financial, such as the loss of employment, or emotional — loneliness, fear of the future shaped by recent events, or a sense of rejection.
May we, in this holiday season, share the peace of Christ — not merely the absence of conflict, but the deep wholeness and completeness found in Him — with those around us.
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耶穌是我們的和平之君。然而，聖經提醒我們，這份平安並不只是沒有衝突，而是修復破碎的關係——包括人與神之間，以及人與人之間的關係。在一個充滿失落、破碎與深切需要的世界中，神往往揀選透過祂的子民，使祂的平安得以彰顯，藉着他們活出祂的愛與憐憫。因此，我們蒙召成為管子，讓神的平安流向其他人。
今年聖誕節的奉獻，不單是對目前需要的回應，更是我們參與神在世上進行和好工作的方式。
我們奉獻的一部分，將透過世界宣明會（香港），支援在香港大埔嚴重火災中受影響的家庭。香港一向以高樓大廈聞名，實在難以想像，一個翻新工程竟會演變成如此悲劇。許多生命因此喪失，更多家庭失去了家園。舉例來說，大埔一間浸信會便有超過六十位會友流離失所。
（相關報導：https://zh.christianitytoday.com/2025/12/hong-kong-apartments-fire-church-christians-zh-hans/）
即使日後能夠重建，創傷、生活的中斷，以及臨時居所所帶來的挑戰，仍將在新聞淡去後，長久影響倖存者與哀傷中的家庭。由於我們會眾中不少人的根源來自香港，我們深深感到，在這受苦的期間，應當與他們同行、站在一起。
奉獻的另一部分，將支持一個致力於培育澳洲原居民（First Nations）信徒領袖門徒生命的基督教事工。雖然澳洲原居民教會並不少，但其中許多在發展與長遠成長上仍面對挑戰。來自不同背景的信徒領袖，若能建立支持性的同行與培導關係，有助於持續塑造原居民領袖的屬靈生命，從而帶動教會的成長與福音事工的拓展。這樣的參與，也反映神要使萬民作主門徒的心意——不僅是那些與我們最親近、最熟悉的人。
作為屬靈的家，我們一同奉獻，扶助有需要的人；同時，我們也思考個人的反思：在我們的朋友、鄰舍或親人當中，聖靈是否正提醒我們留意那些人的需要？這些需要可能是經濟上的困難，例如失去工作；也可能是情感上的掙扎——孤單、因近來的事件而對未來感到恐懼，或被拒絕的感受。
願我們在這個節期中，與人分享基督的平安——這不只是沒有衝突的狀態，而是唯有在祂裏面才能找到的那份深層的圓滿與安穩。
