As Christmas interfaces with our changing Kiwi culture some things of yesteryears are left behind and other things endure. There is still a strong desire for families and whanau to come together at Christmas. Indeed for many this is the highpoint: having and making time to meet up with extended family and friends.
And this too is why Christmas can be so painful when death, distance, or disagreements prevent families being together.
Christmas is full of memories and memory making, both the good and not-so-good.
At Christmas helping agencies and faith groups work overtime supporting those in our community who are suffering, whether through food parcels, telephone calls, or counselling support.
For many of us Christmas is both a time to come together and try to support those most in need. Coming together and supporting others go hand in hand.
Christmas is also a time to feast. As families and whanau gathering at Christmas symbolises our belief in the value of togetherness, so a Christmas feast symbolises our belief in the value of everyone having enough to eat.
Many family Christmas meals work on the principles of everyone bringing something and there always being room for one more. The principles of whanaungatanga and manaakitanga are in the ascendancy.
Similarly community and religious groups try to help out, particularly at Christmas, to assist families and individuals with food.
The Auckland City Mission holds a magnificent Christmas lunch, feeding more than 2500 people, and assisted by 700 volunteers. Other groups, religious or not, in suburbs and towns around the country, do something similar - albeit smaller.
Lastly Christmas is a time of receiving gifts and, if able, giving gifts. Although the mythology of Santa can be a mixed blessing, at heart it is about generosity.
The Santa myth encourages us to not only give, but also to think of ourselves as worthy of a gift. So everyone, rich or poor, young or old, in prison or out, should receive a little something.
Gift-giving symbolises our belief in the values of self-worth, compassion and generosity.
Culture and customs, religious beliefs and practices can all change given time. What is important is to be clear about what we hope will endure.
The values of coming together, supporting others, having ample to eat, and giving generously, predominate at Christmas. Long may they endure.
• Reverend Glynn Cardy is Minister of St Luke's Presbyterian Church, Remuera.