It only takes a minute to care
Rev. Chris Frazer ,
Deacon for Social Justice
In a Christmas TV special, Charlie Brown is shown checking his mailbox only to find there are no Christmas cards for him. And he remarks, “I know no one likes me but why do we have to have a holiday to emphasize it!”
While we can smile at Charlie Brown’s remark the reality is, many households/people in Aotearoa, as we move rapidly towards Christmas 2026, are bracing themselves for a season that brings more sadness and despair rather than joy.
Rising living costs, insecure employment, and high rental prices continue to stretch already fragile budgets. Families struggle to cover monthly bills, let alone afford essentials such as food, warm clothing, and transport. For households with children, the pressure is magnified. Current statistics show one in seven children in New Zealand live in material hardship.
The commercial side of Christmas adds another layer of strain. Advertising aimed at children fuels expectations about what Santa might bring, placing parents in an impossible position. For families already living week‑to‑week, Christmas spending often spills into the New Year, resulting in overdue bills, increased debt, and deepening stress.
Christmas ought to be a time for celebration, rest, and connection. But for many in our communities, it is a season marked by loneliness, grief, and the painful reminder of what they cannot provide. Media images of perfect families gathered around overflowing tables only sharpen the contrast between expectation and reality.
Christmas reminds us that God comes close, especially to those who are doing it tough. Jesus arrives in a humble home, surrounded not by wealth but by love. His birth tells us that God sees every struggle, every quiet worry, every parent doing their best. In our communities, numerous families will find Christmas difficult this year. Some will face empty cupboards. Some will feel the pressure of wanting to give their children joy but not having the means. Some will simply feel alone.
Churches can help lighten that load. The Wellington City Mission’s Star Box Appeal offers a beautiful way to share hope. These gifts help fill the Social Supermarket and the Christmas Toy Store. The Toy Store operates similarly to the Social Supermarket, where parents/caregivers can choose gifts for their tamariki at no cost. They help wrap these gifts and then give them at a time that works for them.
A small gift becomes a moment of joy. A box of treats becomes a reminder that someone cares. A church’s generosity becomes a sign of Christ’s love. May we open our eyes, open our hearts, and open our hands so that Christmas is brighter for every household. The carol “Love came down at Christmas.” reminds us that love is not sentimental; it is incarnational, generous, and deeply present. As we prepare for Christmas 2026, may we choose to pass on that same love.
Hosting a Star Box is easy:
1. Order your Christmas Star Box
Click the link to order your Star Box.
2. Start collecting
Star Boxes are delivered to locations from 5 October. Once your Star Box arrives, you and your group can fill it with children’s gifts and items from our list of most-needed food items.
3. We’ll collect your donations!
The Wellington City Mission starts collecting Star Boxes in November. The earlier we can collect your Star Box, the better, because our Toy Store opens December 1st!
Here’s a list of suggested items to fill your Starbox with.
