I have recently moved into the Illawarra. I used to serve a church in a rural area and my first impression about the Illawarra was that of being very busy. So I felt that it would be a nerve-racking experience to introduce myself to people who seem busy with their own business.

But it didn’t take a long time to experience the warm welcome of the local people. The friendly environment of the Illawarra communities has helped to ease my perceived tension.

I am sure that what I have experienced here is really matched with the spirit of the season.

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As God’s humility makes a great impact on people’s lives, I would like to remind the people of the Illawarra that the deep meaning of Christmas is not far from the smile on their faces that I have experienced.

From my own Christian perspective, the area of Illawarra is a good place where people can fall in love with the intriguing humility of God-became-human.

In God’s coming, being ordinary doesn’t mean low-achieving or unfit to lead. Christmas is surely for the ordinary, just like the Illawarra people who accept newcomers as a neighbour and a friend.

So I don’t claim that the church is the only place where people can experience the spirit of Christmas.

Most importantly, I can say that it would be a great time where we can connect our sense of being ordinary to the deeper meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas Illawarra!

By Reverend Keun-il Ko of Dapto Uniting Church