MEANING OF CAROLS EXPLAINED

Southland Times, Issue 25545, 13 December 1944, Page 7

MEANING OF CAROLS EXPLAINED

Address To Members Of Rotary Club

The character and meaning of Christmas carols was the subject of an address by the Rev. J. A. Thomson at the weekly meeting of the Invercargill Ro-' tary Club yesterday. Carols were less solemn and less formal than ordinary hymns, he said. In early times they were used to teach the story of Christmas when few could read for themselves.

Why did we sing carols at Christmas now, he asked. Was it because of custom, because they were delightful, or because we had a real faith? Carols told the story of the Incarnation. He believed that the conviction that God came into the world in the form of man was part of the very basis of democracy. Nothing else gave so much value to each human life. Carols had a note of wonder and adoration. If there was any reality in our singing it must be translated into life. The great thought of carols must not be allowed to become commonplace. The meeting was the final one for the year and in a message of Christmas greeting, the president (Mr J. S. Robbie) said that the observance of Christmas was one of the finer things of life which endured while wars and other things passed. It was a time of thanksgiving for uncounted blessings, he said. On behalf of the members, Mr Robbie made a presentation to the staff of Herbert, Haynes and Company’s tearooms in appreciation of their service during the year. During the meeting carols were sung under the leadership of Mr A. Walmsley. A vote of thanks to all who had contributed to the programme was moved by Mr A. Derbie.