1:58pm: In a moment, Christchurch folk – whose most weighty decision at 1:57pm may have been how large a ham to buy – were thrown, yet again, into crisis response mode.

We know the drill at such times, of course.

And as I went outside to check on my neighbours, I found one group huddled on the grass with their pets, while others were about to jump on their pushbikes to check on frail and elderly family members. 

One priest who’d been living in one of just two houses left habitable on her street has had to call it quits there – because the sewer line that runs outside her front door has ruptured.

It isn't that more people are homeless.

Or even, for example, that more churches are down. Rather, there is an anger and an indignation that even at Christmas time we are not immune from the quakes and shakes that have plagued the city for 15 months. 

Because there isn’t the time to have every church checked and cleared by engineers before Christmas services begin, we have decided to ask the Anglican churches of greater Christchurch to hold their services outdoors, "where sheep may safely graze". 

Late services on the 24th will be BYOT or 'bring your own torch'. One parish has said that they’ll have carols by candlelight (or rather, carols by torchlight because candles and quakes don’t go well together) and a simple celebration of the Eucharist. 

Not having people gather in church this Christmas isn't about fear of buildings falling down.

We just don’t want large numbers of people – including the very young, the elderly and infirm – in close-confined quarters in the event of another 5.5 or 6. 

Gathering outdoors, away from tall buildings, will allow for community but not crowding. 

I know that isn't what most of us expected. But the first Christmas was very messy too – and the outcome from that extraordinary gathering was life saving.

Who knows? Maybe this Christmas some people who would not otherwise darken the door of a church will hear the music and join the throng. 

The one thing we do know – with certainty – is that Jesus will be present with us.