December 2002 Volume 83 Number 12 "serving the protectors"
Chaplaincy The Reason for the season
By Bob George Chaplain to Tea Tree Gully Police

Christmas is a great time of the year but, for many of us, the season comes with a mixture of memories and emotions.

I remember fondly our children growing up in a remote Queensland town where, at the time, I was the Anglican minister and – much to the excitement of all the local kids – Santa Claus arriving at the town’s get-together in the shire’s shiny red fire engine.

I can also remember when we moved to Darwin a couple of days before Christmas to take up another parish appointment. We were advised to wait a couple of weeks before going because, with the oppressive weather and being cut off from family and friends, Christmas can be a miserable time in the tropics. As it turned out, that year was one of the best ever, because we celebrated Christmas as a close-knit family, free from the usual responsibilities and complications of most other Christmases.

For some, Christmas is eagerly anticipated because of the carols, festivities and family gatherings. But, for others, it is a sad and depressing time because of the commercial hype and the memories of close relationships turned sour. The loss of loved ones in the intervening year, having to fulfil duty rosters while colleagues are relaxing, the excesses of gift giving and partying might contribute to feelings of negativity and isolation at this time. And, often, family relationships fragment during the Christmas season, so folk feel even lonelier and more miserable than at any other time of the year.

It is well to remember then the real significance of this time of the year. Jesus is the reason for the season. God gave of himself in the person of his Son to a world in great need. From the moment of his birth, in the poorest of circumstances, Jesus identified with poverty and pain but, at the same time, provided hope for a hurting and confused world. The life and purpose he now offers provides confidence for today and lasts beyond tomorrow.

In days of uncertainty like ours, with the threat of terrorism ever present in the world, it is important to recognize that lasting peace and security can be found in God’s Son, who came among us on that first Christmas more than 2000 years ago. In this there is great hope and joy, even in the midst of the perplexities of life.

Might your experience and memories of this Christmas be holy and happy, as you celebrate the reason for the season?

SA Police Chaplains

Welfare Section 58	David Marr	8364 3567
	Senior Police Chaplain.
Academy 8	Brenton Daulby	8272 8324
Adelaide: 158	Vacant
Adelaide Hills Division 54	Tony Bartel	8398 2517
Ceduna 214	Sybil Peacock	8625 3505
Christies Beach 20	Peter Coote	8381 3039
		0412 818 995
Clare 202	Michael Dutschke	8842 3681
Communications 172	David Hand	8376 5612
Elizabeth 52	Lindsay Mayes	8281 8088
Far North 210	John Folkman	8672 5011
Firearms/Records	Dianna Bartlett	8337 8552
		0403 281 596
Gawler 52	Brian Tscharke	8522 2288
Glenelg/Netley 22	Bruce Grindlay	8295 2220
		0412 014 788
Henley Beach 18	Tim Kowald	8449 6868
Holden Hill 44	Rod Dyson	8365 1170
Kadina 71	Vacant
Kingston 208	Vacant
Mount Gambier 208	Brian Ashworth	(w) 8723 1353
		(h) 8725 2537
Murray Bridge 200	Malcolm Bottrill	8532 5536
Naracoorte 208	Bruce Cliff	8737 2457
		0417 811 702
Norwood 60	John Dunkley	8278 5767
		0401 691 624
		0418 831 703
Nuriootpa 204	Andy Kowald	8562 1011
Port Adelaide 6	Jeff Oake	8341 5930
Port Pirie 206	Steve Ardill	8632 3977
Prosecution Services 176	Vacant
Port Augusta PS 210	Mark Thomas	8642 2487
		0401 671 850
Port Lincoln 214	Lester Reinbott	8683 3018
Riverland 212	Robin Zadow	8588 1540
Salisbury 53	Vacant
South East	Terry Natt	8571 1114
Star Group 31	Ron Roberts	8295 8349
		0403 065 899
Sturt 12	Chris Beal	8278 9578
	Ian Dempsey	8296 7292
Tea Tree Gully 48	Bob George	8395 9363
Thebarton Barracks 32	Vacant
Transit Division	Rob Packer	8332 9155
Victor Harbor	Graham Rogerson	(h) 8552 1718
		(w) 8552 5029
Whyalla 218	Tony Redden	8649 3593

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