The Pacific Area presidency shared a Christmas message for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their friends living in the islands and countries that make up the area.
In a video posted to YouTube, Elder Peter F. Meurs, president; Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, first counselor; and Elder Jeremy R. Jaggi, second counselor, all General Authority Seventies, each read a line from Isaiah 9:6:
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
The presidency concluded the video by each wishing viewers a merry Christmas.
Celebrating Christmas throughout the Pacific Area
A series of videos on the Pacific Area’s YouTube channel shows how different people celebrate Christmas throughout the diverse islands and countries.
The Singsam family from the Auckland New Zealand Redoubt Stake talked about how they celebrate Christmas and take part in the Church’s Light the World initiative, which this year, has the theme to “Be Someone’s Angel.”
The family said at Christmas time, they spend time together, play games, have big breakfasts, go to the beach and read the Nativity story from Luke 2. They also don’t buy Christmas presents for each other — they try to connect the children to the Savior.
In Kiribati — an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean — the Mwemwemikeaki family from the Tarawa Kiribati West Stake spoke about what their Christmas looks like.
Family feasts may include local dishes such as fish, coconut, taro, breadfruit and traditional meats like pork. Tuna is often a highlight of the Christmas meal.
“We celebrate, we feast, we gather together as a family to make family goals and especially to remember our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Peninsula Mwemwemikeaki.
In a video from Australia, Lara Qualtrough shared what Christmas is like living in Gold Coast on east side of the contienent, where they have warm, outdoor celebrations, such as family gatherings and barbecues.
“One of the people I enjoy spending Christmas with is my mom. She has done so much for me and continues to do so much for me,” Qualtrough said.
The Tounguen family in Vanuatu said Christmas time is a special time to be together with extended family. They have a big, special breakfast with new and favorite dishes like pancakes and fruits.
“On Christmas morning after we wake up, we first read the scriptures together,” said Berry James Tounguen. “After the reading, my wife prepares some cakes and we’ll take a caramel cake and then we give them to people in hospital and in prison. We’ll give a cake to those who are there.”
Later, the families all dance and sing together, and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
Light the World initiative in the Pacific Area
Light the World events in the Pacific Area include concerts, Christmas light displays, service projects and other efforts.
For example, members and friends of the Church celebrated together at at New Zealand’s Auckland Town Hall on Dec. 7 with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and an 86-voice choir made primarily of Latter-day Saints, reported the Church’s Pacific Newsroom.
Elder Jaggi,who attended with his wife, Sister Amy Jaggi, said, Christmas is a time of joy — to gather, to remember, to give thanks, and to serve one another.
“I believe the angels in heaven rejoice when we on earth gather to sing and play sacred songs, heralding the birth of Jesus Christ,” Elder Jaggi said. “Together, we are sharing good tidings of great joy and helping share Jesus Christ’s light around the world.”
Light displays at the Sydney Australia Temple, the Hamilton New Zealand Temple and local meetinghouses also help celebrate Christmas. The Hamilton display will also include local choirs. And Sydney was one of the locations in this year’s Light the World video from the Church.
Nine Light the World Giving Machines are located in the Pacific Area this year. In Australia, those locations are Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. In New Zealand, the locations are Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and Wellington.
The New Zealand locations in particular are testing new digital versions of the red vending machines. The version has enhanced features in a format similar to a large smartphone. For example, users can access online information about the different charities and fill a shopping cart with items they wish to donate.
