For the past few days, the subject that has been uppermost in the minds of most people, and has dominated the media has been the terrible bush fires that have assailed our city. For the first time in such a situation we were personally involved, as our property at Glenorie was in the middle of the area under threat.

For two days we watched the plumes of black smoke swirling into the atmosphere, heard innumerable sirens screaming past our front gate, and waited for whatever the shifting winds might bring. We had taken all the proper precautions, clearing out our gutters and filling them with water, raking up leaves, etc. But still there was the uncertainty of what we would gave to face.

For most of those two days the wind was blowing smoke directly at us, either from the fire to the North West, or, when the wind shifted, from another fire in the West. We were very conscious that embers could be carried several kilimeters ahead of the main blaze and could easily start a fire because everything was so dry.

As it eventuated, the fire was halted about a kilometre from our back fence, although it wasn't through both to the North and the South of us. We are very grateful to the fire fighters, both professional and voluntary who did such a wonderful job over so many days. In particular, the water bombing by the helicopters was especially significant. When we toured the heavily burnt areas of our suburb yesterday we saw numbers of houses totally surrounded by black. We were told that one, in particular, had only been saved by numerous dumps from the Erickson Skycrane.

Unfortunately, there are reports of numbers of houses in the area that could not be saved. Our hearts go out to those folk who have lost not only their homes, but so much of their investment of time and effort. For most people, their home absorbs a great deal of time and effort and holds many precious memories. We have been reminded, ever so vividly, that the material things of this life are, in the end, temporary.

Our Archbishop, Dr Peter Jensen, has launched an urgent bushfire appeal to assist families whose homes have been destroyed or seriously damaged. Funds raised by the appeal will be made available to Anglican churches for distribution in their area. "It is during these times of great struggle and despair that the Anglican Church can be a beacon of hope, by sharing Christ's love in a very practical way", Dr Jensen said. You can donate by ringing toll free on 1800 653 903 or by sending a donation to the Archbishop's Bushfire Appeal, PO Box 1415, Parramatta NSW 2124.

The other matter which dominated the media at the beginning of last week was the furore over the banning of Santa by a number of Preschool Kindergartens. It was amazing to see the degree of emotional heat generated by this issue, and the fervency with which some sought to defend the cause of Santa. The comment was made a number of times that to remove Santa was to deprive children of their chief source of joy.

I could not help thinking that the message of "Joy to the World" which we reflect upon at this time, has nothing to do with Santa and was meaningful to generations of Christians for nearly 1900 years before Santa was invented! What a sad commentary it is on today's society, that we have so lost our sense of joy at the wonder of God's gift of his Son to be our Saviour and Lord, that we have to create our joy with a myth!

The comment was made that Santa is only a harmless figure in the make-believe world that is a normal part of the life of young children. However, there is no other make-believe character that I am aware of, where parents go to so much effort to promote the lie of his existence. Furthermore, I have recently come across several seniors groups where Santa was part of the programme!

One radio commentator made the comment that Santa "portrays the spirit of Christmas!" IF that is so, we have totally turned Christmas on its head! For the values that Santa portrays are the very opposite of the true message of Christmas! Santa, in fact, epitomises the materialistic dream that lies at the heart of most of us, but which was strongly repudiated by Jesus. Which is why, of course, he is the figure most loved and promoted by the business community.

Santa encourages children to seek joy and fulfilment in material things. Jesus taught us that "a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his posessions." Santa encourages children to think in terms of what they will get. Jesus taught that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Santa is an impersonal figure who appears once a year to dish out goodies. Christmas tells us of Father God who loves us so much and invites us into a daily personal relationship with himself. Don't let Christmas be hijacked, put Christ first!

John Davies

8 December 2002