CHRISTMAS DAY OBSERVANCE

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25996, 27 December 1949, Page 3

CHRISTMAS DAY OBSERVANCE

CHURCH SERVICES WELL ATTENDED

PRIMATE’S SERMON

Most church services in Christchurch were well attended on Christmas Day, though there has been a tendency in recent years for many residents to leave the city early for their holidays in various parts of the country.

“Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on thee,” was the text from Isaiah for the Christmas Day sermon of the Primate of New Zealand, Archbishop WestWatson, when he addressed a large congregation in the Christchurch Cathedral.

“What a strange and splendid voice to come out of that age and out of the long turmoil and unrest which was Israel’s history. That little country was a mere buffer State between great world Powers. The upper and nether millstones ground them continually and their politicians were at their wits’ end to know who was to come uppermost and whom to appease,” said Archbishop West-Watson. “Salvation, they thought, depended on the right choice of a friend in need. But here is a prophet who dares to say that the politicians are on the wrong track. God reigns and the nations are His servants. God is history. As-one of the Lambeth reports puts it: ‘There are no inevitabilities in history. The moral factor is the decisive factor.’ There

are no situations in which men are not free to surrender themselves to God or to refuse; to obey His will or to reject it. Thus every moment of history is a ‘crisis,’ above judgment and deliverance,”

The Old Testament had come to life again in our day. In the security, as it seemed, of the British Empire 50 years ago, we might have thought that the old, fearful days of the clash of world Powers were a thing of the past. we could enter into the minds of the prophets and politicians of Israel—so many of the nations seemed helpless between the two great Powers of the present day. We, in New Zealand, were realising our insecurity in the face of the overwhelming millions in. the countries of the Pacific. What was to be our future and the future of our children? “On Christmas Day we thank God that it is not only to the voice of one crying in the wilderness that we have to listen and on it to forni our judgement. The glory of the Old Testament saints is that they go through to reality. The glory of the New Testament is that in Christ reality has come through to us. With His glorious Christmas prelude of ‘Peace on earth, goodwill towards men,’ God has given us His pledge in Christ. Who came right into history, Who took part in our daily life, Who lived and died in human flesh. Our confidence rests not on beautiful ideas. Our faith is not an ideology, but is founded on what really happened. We have a more sure hope,” he said. Roman Catholic Services

Long before the beginning of Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament was filled. Only standing room remained for many by the time Bishop Lyons entered tne Cathedral to celebrate Solemn Pontifical Midnight Mass. The Very Rev. T. Liddy was assistant priest for the Mass, and the deacon and sub-deacon were the Rev. J. Curnow and the Rev. B. Pearce. The Rev. G. Harrison, D.D., was Master of Ceremonies. At the end of the Mass the Bishop gave the Papal Blessing. There were also big congregations at the other four Masses in the Cathedral on Christmas morning.

At the evening devotions the Bishop presided at the throne and gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A special sermon was preached by the Rev. K. Crowe, C.SS.R. “Greater Than Theologies” -

“Christmas belongs to us all. It is universal, like the Holy Child Qf Bethlehem, transcending race and creed,’* said the Rev. Raymond Dudley. of the Durham Street Methodist Church, in a Christmas service which was broadcast. “Christ is greater than all our theologies and ecclestiasticisms. Christmas rises supreme above man’s religious exclusiveness. Its strange compelling power gives the lie to the sceptic and evokes in the attitude and actions of even the unprofessing what in reality is a religious response issuing in goodness, love, and altruism.” At the evening service the subject was “The Christmas Blessing.” At both services the choir provided special Christmas music, under the conductor. Mr Melville Lawry. Time of Goodwill

At Knox Presbyterian Church the Rev. Donald F. MacKenzie took the opportunity to tell the congregation that, if they had not read the leading article in “The Press” of Saturday they should do so. Speaking of Christmas observance, Mr MacKenzie said that it was a time of rejoicing, and quite rightly so, as long as we remembered why we were rejoicing. He thought that it was being made a sentimental occasion and “the Lion of Judah was being smothered under a shower of Christmas cards.” People made Christmas a time of goodwill to-their friends, but not always to their enemies. Practical Sympathy In the Baptist churches particular stress was laid on expressing the Christmas sentiment by helping to relieve the distress of displaced persons in Europe. Congregations mad® a good response to the appeal for practical aid for such persons. Salvation Army Carols Early on Christmas morning a group of young women of the Salvation Army visited institutions and homes and sang carols. Three bands carol music in various parts of Christchurch from 7 a.m, A Christmas service was held in the Citadel m the morning and a carol service was held in the evening. The senior band played carol music m Cathedral square in the evening. Successful Experiment Bv the will of the congregation, it was decided to hold the Christmas Day service at 9 a.m. at. the Linwood Congregational Church instead of 11 a.m.. the idea being that mothers with families could attend and still have plenty of time to prepare Christmas dinner. The change was a success. The Rev. F. J. Kay took as his theme the prophecy of Isaiah. ‘ ana a “ttle child shall lead them,” and relating it to the birth of Christ at Bethlehem.