Those who are familiar with Australian history will know that there are many parallels between the birth of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ on earth and the birth of Australia.

Overcrowded

When it was time for Jesus to be born, it was as though He was rejected and unwanted, as there was no room in the inn for Mary and Joseph. Having no room is why Australia was born — when English jails became overcrowded, they decided to send convicts, the rejected of society, to Australia.

Quiet beginnings

Jesus was born in a poor, humble setting, in a stable surrounded by animals. While other nations began with great conquests, Pilgrim Fathers, or brave explorers, the nation of Australia was born quietly in the 11 ships of the First Fleet. The young colony faced starvation and death for at least the first three years.

The Word of God arrived

With the birth of Jesus, the very Word of God came to earth. “The Word became man and dwelt with us” (John 1:14). And with the ‘birth’ of Australia the Word of God came to our continent. The official list of supplies claims only one Bible and one prayer book arrived with the First Fleet, but the chaplain, Richard Johnson, brought 100 Bibles, 400 Testaments. 500 copies of the Psalms, 200 Sermons on the Mount….and the list goes on to total 4200 items of Christian literature. God’s Word had arrived on Australia’s shores.

Dazzling sights

The birth of Christ was announced by the Heavenly Host, a fairly unique and startling experience. The birth of white Australia was accompanied by a host of unique animals and plants, set apart by the Creator on an island continent to remind these rejected and forlorn pioneers that this was a unique and special land. They had never before seen a kangaroo, heard a kookaburra laugh or seen the Australian bush wildflowers. Quite an announcement!

So, at Christmas time, we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, the Word of God coming to earth in the form of a man, born in very humble circumstances, surrounded by the unique — Heavenly Hosts, royal visitors following a star and so on. We have seen how the birth of Australia was also a time of humble beginnings, surrounded by the unique.