Love shines through tragedy: archbishops

The Lindt Cafe siege has featured heavily in a Christmas message from Sydney's Archbishop Anthony Fisher.

The Catholic archbishop reflected on the shock and grief of last week's Martin Place siege ahead of Christmas Day. Two people, as well as the gunman, died in a 16-hour siege in the Martin Place, central Sydney, cafe.

"It will take time for our city to recover," he said.

Australians had, he said, experienced what was all too commonplace in other countries, such as where the Taliban and Islamic State were carrying out regular attacks.

"These people do not even blink at beheading children," he said.

Violence, though, would not have the last word, he said.

The power of hope and love has been clear in the past week as a city mourns together.

"Behind that, I think, is our Christian heritage," he said.

"May God bless you all this Christmas."

Anglican Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies, in his message, said the Cairns tragedy, in which eight children had died, and the death of cricketer Phillip Hughes had also hit hard ahead of Christmas.

"At times like this we rush to prayer and we expect God will be listening," he said.

"We can be confident to call on God, knowing that he hears us, he understands us and he loves us."