There are things we can no longer simply take for granted. I grew up on the premise that special religious instruction was a formative part of one’s growing up.

But not all students are receiving such instruction. In Victorian schools SRI is being scrapped from class time while religious organizations are now banned from distributing Bibles and organizing prayer groups in school hours.

Meanwhile, there is a push in some quarters to carve the sacred out of Christmas by substituting Mary, the shepherds and the Christ-child with references to snowmen, mistletoe and Santa Clause. And there are calls to now greet one another during the festive time with “Happy Holiday” rather than “Merry Christmas”.

While there should be a legitimate concern over those who proselytize or use SRI as means of pushing their own agenda, Christianity seems to be facing a major challenge in the public sphere.

Recently an art exhibition in Randwick upset some people as a piece of work entitled “Mary’s No Virgin” featured religious icons mixed with sexual paraphernalia. While we should resist the temptation to think we are under siege, it’s vital that the Christian community raises its profile in the public space to affirm who we are and what we believe.

With this in mind, I cannot think of a more effective way of doing so than through the annual Advent Workshop that is run by this church. Here there is an opportunity to reach many children in the local community with the Good News of Jesus. And through this Advent Workshop we work hard to encourage families to come to church at Christmas – and to share in the joy that Christ brings.

We are planning a big Advent Workshop this year together with a significant Christmas program. But to make it work we need your support.

Look out for it. Invite your neighbours. And do get involved. For, in December we celebrate much more than a “Happy Holiday”!

John Barr