"Churches are Open and Welcoming Everyone" – Kanishka Raffel - Hope 103.2

“Churches are Open and Welcoming Everyone” – Kanishka Raffel

The easing of restrictions extends a big welcome to all seeking Jesus, according to Sydney Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.

Listen: Sydney Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel talks with Ben McEachen about finding Jesus at Christmas

By Ben McEachenTuesday 21 Dec 2021Hope AfternoonsChristmasReading Time: 2 minutes

The good news of great joy about the birth of Jesus has an added dose of joy this year, according to Sydney Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel.

In his first year as archbishop, Kanishka is pleased to point out how churches have newly returned freedoms of meeting.

Although the pandemic continues and COVID cases in New South Wales rise, there is cause to celebrate about being able again to celebrate together – to be able to safely and wisely meet at a local church without the harsher restrictions of lockdown.

“They are expecting families and individuals; [and] people who might never have been to church before,” Kanishka told Hope Afternoons about Sydney Anglican churches.

“At the end of this terrible year, they might want to reach out and find out something about the love of God sending Jesus into the world.”

“At the end of this terrible year, they might want to reach out and find out something about the love of God sending Jesus into the world,” – Sydney Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel

Sydney Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel

Source: Supplied

Kanishka believes the pandemic has clearly revealed how we are not in charge of everything, forcing us to go after the “one” who is.

“We’ve really been stretched to the limit and confronted with the frailty of life – with our inability to be in control, as much as we want to be in control of everything,” Kanishka said.

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“The wonderful message of Christmas is we are not alone. God has not left us alone in a world we are not in charge of.”

“The wonderful message of Christmas is we are not alone. God has not left us alone in a world we are not in charge of,” – Sydney Anglican Archbishop Kanishka Raffel

This Christmas is a top time to perhaps meet, for the first time, the Son who declares God’s ongoing commitment to all he has created.

“Jesus is still the big news in town because he is still the sure point of reference we can come to for knowledge of God’s love, care, involvement and plans for this world – and people in it.”

Listen to the full interview in the player above.