Born in the aftermath of World War II, it began as a simple idea: churches and generous Australian across the country joining together at Christmas to share what they could so that others, far away, could have food, shelter, and safety.
Decades later, the Bowl still carries the prayers, gifts, and compassion of Christians across generations. It is a tradition that has quietly reshaped lives in places most of us will never see. Year after year, ordinary believers step forward in love, often unseen.
Ordinary Australians.
Giving for generations.
Making an extraordinary difference.
Scroll down
In a world where bad news dominates the headlines, this may just be one of the most inspirational stories of our nation.
For 77 years, Australians have gathered around the Christmas Bowl, standing alongside communities around the world as they work towards peace and a more hopeful future.
Today, that work takes many forms. In Zimbabwe, communities are restoring wetlands and creating stronger livelihoods.
In Indonesia and Vanuatu, local leaders are helping communities prepare for disasters and build resilience.
In Ethiopia and Jordan, people are developing skills, livelihoods and pathways towards greater independence.
And in Lebanon, local organisations are standing alongside families affected by conflict and displacement with practical support during times of extraordinary uncertainty.
Different communities face different challenges, but the things they are working towards are deeply familiar to all of us:
Safety.
Dignity.
Opportunity.
Hope.
Peace.
A place to belong.
As we prepare to celebrate 77 years of this tradition of generosity this year, the impact of Christmas Bowl reminds us that what we bring does matter.
A sacred bowl.
A shared act of belonging.
The evidence of that expression of faith, generosity and solidarity is clearest in the testimonies of Australians who have been part of this tradition for decades.
The Gap Uniting Church in Queensland is home to many faithful Christmas Bowl supporters. People like Trevor who has been generously giving since 1975.
“There are so many people that need help with their day to day living and the Christmas Bowl is one of the ways to help support those people that don’t have what we have,” he explains.
Julie’s childhood memories of Christmas are wrapped up in generosity and hope.
“The first memory that I have of the Christmas Bowl is actually when I was a child and there used to be a bowl one the table that we used to be asked to put little bits of pocket money in for people,” she says.
That legacy of generosity was something that she learned through the Christmas Bowl.
“We felt like we needed to give something other than just get,” she explains.
“That was the beginning of teaching us about sharing.”
“…hearing about the idea of having an empty bowl on your table and putting in the amount that you think you’re spending on your Christmas dinner…putting that on the table for somebody else who hasn’t got any money.
Even as a child, that really sparked my imagination and sparked some compassion in me.”
~ Glenda.
And that compassion has lasted a lifetime.
“When I moved on to being an adult and I had my own income, I started giving. I would love my children and my grandchildren to develop that sense of compassion and awareness of the needs of the world.”
This Christmas, individuals, churches and organisations will gather again around the Christmas Bowl, united in a simple expression of faith, generosity and solidarity.
We invite you to be part of that remarkable story.
On Thursday 19 November, churches from across Australia will come together online to launch the 2026 Christmas Bowl, and you’re invited.
Around the Bowl: Conversations on Peace – Christmas Bowl 2026 Launch
When: Thursday 19 November 2026, 6:00pm – 7:00pm AEDT (Sydney time)
Where: Online, from wherever you are
Cost: Free
Act for Peace CEO Andrew Hassett will open the evening with a reflection on the Christmas Bowl and why peace matters so much this Christmas. He’ll then host a live panel discussion exploring what peace means this Christmas and how the Church can help bring it to a world in crisis.
You’ll also get a first look at the 2026 Christmas Bowl, and we’ll dedicate this year’s Christmas Bowl together in prayer.
Whether your church has given to the Christmas Bowl for decades or is getting involved for the first time, this launch is for you. Ministers, church leaders, mission committees and anyone who cares about peace are warmly welcome. Peace is something we build together.
Register now. It’s free, and if you can’t make it on the night, register anyway and we’ll send you the recording.
Thank you for being part of the Christmas Bowl story.