Christmas message: The Rev Elizabeth Hopner, Mt Albert Methodist Church

Advent is about watching and waiting. It is a time for preparing room in our hearts for the coming of Christ - and yet we find ourselves in the midst of the busiest time of the year.

Many people are preparing not only for Christmas and all it entails, but also for summer holidays.

This is a time of anticipation, of expectation, of remembering friends and relations that maybe we do not contact at any other time of year. Is it because of the timeless message of God's love for the world?

In the words of Christina Rossetti (1830-94), we sing: "Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine; Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign."

Looking around us today, we can see that stars and angels come in different forms. There are striking signs both near and far to guide us if we are willing to look and reflect on their meaning: new friendships form ... people march in protest ... a brutal murder ... factories close ... pictures of people recovering from the tsunami ... a parent dies ... friends get married ... ... arson ... racism ... rioting ... a child is born ...

Have we time to pause to wonder about the deeper significance of these signs?

In the midst of all this there are many who offer their gifts - volunteers and workers in the various inner-city missions, Red Cross and Cancer Society helpers and supporters, those who give provisions for food baskets and who donate to charities - the ordinary everyday neighbourly kindnesses. The list could go on. Yes, we can be sure that Love comes down at Christmas. Love is already here.

As we prepare to celebrate Christ's birth, may we pause in our busyness to make sure there is room in our hearts for Christ to come again - the Christ who is already here. May hope, peace, joy and love fill your heart this Christmas - enough to share.