CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2718, 26 December 1882, Page 3

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS.

The festival of Christmas was duly celebrated yesterday in various ways. The weather was splendid, and advantage was taken of the holiday by a large number of persons to visit Sumner and New Brighton. To give an idea of the large proportion of the population who patronised the former seaside resort, it may be mentioned that Mr Hayward ran during the day no less than twenty omnibuses each way from the Heathcote bridge to Sumner in connection with the tramway, carrying upwards of twelve hundred persons. Picnic parties were also organised in various directions to Governor’s Bay, Lyttelton, Hoon Hay, &e. The various churches in the city were decorated as usual, a great deal of taste being displayed. In some of the churches night services were held, to which allusion is made below. The following is a brief reference t» the various decorations of the churches:— THE CATHEDRAL. The decorations, which were chiefly confined to the eastern end of the building, were very chaste and elegant, the richly embroidered tapestry of the white altar frontal, with the varied colors of the flowers, giving the sanctuary a very beautiful appearance. The font was prettily decorated with water lilies. The Christmas Eve service was held on Saturday evening, when, in addition to the ordinary evensong—Barnby in E flat (Service), anthem, “ I waitedforthe Lord” (Mendelsohn) —some carols were sung, and an offertory made on behalf of the choir boys’ recreation fund. J. B. Calkin’s Morning Communion and Evening Service in B flat was used on Sunday with the anthems—morning, “ Rend your hearts, &c.” (Calkin); evensong, “ Prepare ye the way of the Lord” (Garrett). On Christmas Day there were celebrations of the Holy Communion at 7 and 8 a.m. Stainer’s Service in E flat was used at matins 11 a.m. and Choral Communion, with the recitative, “There were shepherds,” and the chorus “ Glory be to God on high” (Handel) as an anthem. The Right Rev. the Primate was the preacher and celebrant, assisted by the Very Rev. the Dean and Canons Cotterill and Stanford. The text was the 3rd chapter of Collossians, 3rd verse, “ Your life is hid with Christ in God.” Evensong was sung at 3.45 p.m., when Stainer’s Service in E flat was used, with the Hallelujah Chorus added to the morning selection from the “Messiah” as an anthem. There were full attendances at all the services, the musical portions of which were rendered in a manner very creditable to the choir, who displayed throughout a high state of efficiency. Mr H. Wells presided at the organ.

ST. MICHAEL’S. There was a large congregation at St. Michael’s on Christmas morning. The decorations of the church, which were verysimilar to those of last year, were pretty nnd effective. The arches of the chancel and of the nave were fringed with evergreens, relieved by toi-toi blossoms, and the pillars were wreathed|with bright-coloured flowers and green leaves. The chancel was tastefully decorated with floral devices and inscriptions, and the lectern was prettily ornamented with a floral cross composed of lilies and scarlet geraniums. The pulpit was appropriately decorated with flowers, as were also the choir stalls. The font, around which were tastefully arranged a collection of native ferns in pots, was filled with water, on the top of which floated a number of water lilies in full bloom. On Christmas morning the sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Harper, who delivered an able discourse from a text taken from the 2nd chapter of Phillipians, the 6th and 7th verses. The anthem, which was very effectively rendered by the choir, was “ O Zion, that bringest good tidings.” There was an evening service at half-past seven o’clock, when the Christmas carols given on Sunday evening were repeated. Garrett in F was used for the service, and the anthem was, “Behold, I bring you good tidings.” Hymn No. 62 was sung as a recessional. There was no sermon. ST. JOHN’S.

There was a very large attendance on ChristmasEveatthe usual vigil servioeatthis church. The church was very effectively decorated, a band of willing helpers having been at work from the close of the service on Sunday evening until late that night. The crowded attendance —many having to be refused admittance from want of space —shows how very popular this carol service has become. The Incumbent, th Rev. H. C. M. Watson, preached, taking his text from Luke, chap. 11, v. 14. The anthems sung were, “ O Thou that tellest, “ And the Glory of the Lord,” and “ The Hallelujah” chorus. The carols were—- “ Song of the Shepherds,” “ The first Nowell,” “ Once in Royal David’s City,” “ Good King Wenceslaus,” “ Good Christian men,” &c. The decorations were exceedingly tasteful in design. The arches spanning the roof were bedded at the base in evergreens and pot plants, the win-

dow-sills also being similarly decorated. The arches over the doors were traced with lilies and evergreens, whilst down the centre aisle were three very pretty hanging baskets of ferns. At the foot of the font was a very fine collection of ferns, the top and edges of the font itself being massed with evergreens, geraniums, and lilies. The lectern and reading desk were wreathed with evergreens; lilies, roses, and geraniums. The chancel arch was spanned by wreaths of lycopodium, brought from Mount Grey for the purpose by one of the parishioners. Over the altar was a cross of white lilies, and on the altar table were two splendid bouquets. The centre of the chancel was filled with a beautiful assortment of tree a d other ferns, kindly lent by Mr Turton, which had a very pretty effect. The choir stalls and organ loft were wreathed with evergreens, toitoi, and scarlet geraniums. In front of the lectern was a cross of white lilies on a scarlet ground. Several ladies of the congregation took the opportunity of presenting to the church new chancel furniture, viz., a carpet and worked cushions for the communion rails. These, which were placed in the chancel on Christmas eve, added greatly to the effectiveness of the decorations, which, as a whole, were exceedingly pretty. On Christmas Day there was a large congregation. The Incumbent preached, and the anthem sung was “ O Thou that tellest.”

ST. LUKE’S. The decorations at this church were very tasteful and artistic. The communion and chancel rails, with the vestry, were wreathed with evergreens, lilies, and o-eraniums, and there was also a very pretty display of pot plants. Under the centre of the chancel arch was hung a lily star-. The windows and the capitals of the supports throughout the church were bedded in greenery and

flowers. The arches of the entrance doors were also traced o'it with - evergreens, having lilies, geraniums, &c., interspersed. The font was very prettily decorated with pot plants, &c., and on each side of the main entrance was a floral device, emblematical of the festival, -whilst round the church and across the chancel arch were appropriate sentences of scripture. There was no vigil service at this church. On Christmas Day there were two early celebrations of the Holy Communion, and fully choral matins. The incumbent preached, and the anthem was Hamby’s f Sing and Rejoice.”

HOLY TRINITY, AVONSIDE. This pretty little church was very tastefully decorated, a great deal of trouble evidently having been taken by those having it in hand. On Christmas Eve there was a Confirmation Service by the Primate, when twenty candidates were presented. In the evening there was a full choral service, with carols, the “ Magnificat” and ' Nunc Dimlttis” being sang to Bennett in F. On Christmas Day there was early choral celebration of the Holy Communion, the Rev. Canon Stanford being the celebrant, when there were eighty-one communicants. The matins service was fully choral, the “Te Deum” and “Jubilate” being sung to Boyton Smith in G ; the anthem was “ Behold a virgin.” The decorations were as already said very pretty. In the chancel were the texts “ Glory to God in the Highest ” and “ God with us.” Over the transept, “ For unto you is born this day,” &c. The font was especially prettily decorated, being covered with a perfect bed of moss, having in the centre white lilies, scarlet geraniums, and blue bells. The walls were hung with devices in evergreens of crosses, double triangles, &c., and the altar rails, &c., were wreathed with evergreens and garlands of flowers. ST. MATTHEWS’. The nativity services at this church were well attended, both at matins and evensong. Holy communion was celebrated at half-past eight and also at midday, the Rev. R. A. Mortimer being the celebrant. The holy table was very effectively decorated with cross of lilies, whilst the chancel approaches were effectively elaborated by pot plants and flowers. All around the walls ran the inscriptions in everlasting flowers. “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.” “ And the angel said unto them Fear not, for behold I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” The anthem was “O, thou that bringest good tidings.” After evensong the choir sang several carols. The church was well filled at all the services, the early morning communicants numbering sixty-five. ST. MARY’S. MERIVALE. The festival of the Nativity was celebrated at this church “ decently and in order.” Subsequent to the Sunday evensong the choir sang the following carols : “ Good Christian men rejoice,” “ Glorious, beauteous,” “ The first Nowell,” and “ Whilst shepherds watched.” The early celebration of Holy Communion, which was semi-choral, took place at eight o’clock, the Rev. T. Plavell being the celebrant. About sixty-three communicated. 'At Matins the processional hymn was “ Hark, the herald angels.” The Te Deum was set to Dr. Dyke’s well-known music, the anthem being Smart’s “The angel Gabriel was sent from God.” The services were conducted by the Rev. T, Flavell, who preached from Acts, 4 c. 30 v. “ The holy child Jesus.” The decorations were most effective, the font being surmounted by a lily cross, the basin prettily banded with leaves of variegated holly at all the fillets, whilst the foot was ablaze with lilies, arums, geraniums, koromikos, &c. Above the holy table was displayed a beautiful Maltese cross. The lectern was also beautifully decorated, and the pillars of the church were spirally wreathed. CATHOLIC CHURCH. The services at the Catholic Church, Barbadoes street, yesterday, were at 6,7, 8, and half-past 9 in the morning and matins at 11 o’clock, followed by vespers at 6.30. The church was very prettily decorated, the officiating priests being Fathers Ginaty, McManus and O’Donnell. The church was crowded at all the services. Mass was also celebrated at Papanui and Halswell, Fathers O’Donnell and McManus officiating. ST. SAVIOUR'S, SYDENHAM. This church was very prettily decorated, the services being conducted by the Rev. H. B. Cocks, Incumbent. ST. MARY’S, ADDINGTON. The decorations of this church were very chaste, and reflected every credit upon the ladies of the parish. The Rev. H. B. East officiated at the services of the day. THE HOSPITAL,. The long corridor of the Christchurch Hospital was very prettily decorated in honor of the festive season, the words “ A merry Christmas ” being shown on a white ground over the archway. The wards also bore evidence of the efforts of the convalescent patients to vary the tedium of sickness borne by their fellows. LYTTELTON, The Christmas decorations this year were not nearly so good or extensive as Lyttelton has exhibited in bygone celebrations. Some of tho tradesmen’s places of business were set off just enough to mark that something out of the common Saturday night preparation was incumbent on the present buying Christian. Most of the hotels were trimmed with evergreens, the decorations in several instances consisting of fine specimens of the native cabbage tree or nekau, and the practice of cutting these handsome and rapidly disappearing native trees cannot be too strongly condemned. On Sunday the usual special Christmas services were held in the places of public worship which were decorated with the usual scripture texts appropriate to the birth of our Saviour. The Lyttelton brass band joined in the celebration by playing the Christmas waits, visiting all parts of the town, and playing

from midnight on Sunday until Christmas morn had well advanced. Large numbers of pleasure-goers visited Port yesterday, many spending their Christmas in picnic style, enjoying the fresh sea breeze, viewing the shipping at the wharves, all of which were unselfishly opened to them by the captains, or strolling on the beach or the wharves and piers. Some went for the day to Pigeon Bay by the smart pleasure steamer Akaroa, and had a rare merry trip, the happy skipper. Captain Cameron, who is a host in himself, having made all the arrangements. The steam launches carried loads of visitors to Governor’s Bay, and returned with them thoroughly tired with pleasure, and in good time for the trains. The vessels in the Port, some thirty in number, including a great many deep water ships, presented a fine sight in the bunting streaming from stem to stern, and many of them were charmingly set off with flowers and evergreens. At the Canterbury Orphanage Mr and Mrs Richey were enabled to make the little folk realize it was a time for merriment; and at the Lyttelton Prison Mr Ferguson,_ the estimable chief warder, by permission of Captain Hume, was instrumental in giving the prisoners a jollification, the people liberally supplying him with the requisite means. Special religious services were also observed in the prison yesterday. KAIAPOI PAEISH CHURCH. The decorations of this church at Christmastide were equal to any former attempts which have been made for the adornment of God’s house at this festal season. There was a gorgeous display of floral decoration, tasteful arrangement of form, and r:ch combination of colors, which made the somewhat venerable church a perfect paradise. On the reredos and over the communion table, the skill of the fair artistes was

grandly displayed, as well also as the reading desk, lectern and the font, though it was to be regretted no attempt has ever been made to beautify the chancel arch and the centre of the roof, which are admirable points for the display of festoons over the arches and into the centre tower. Over the communion table, chancel, and at the western end of the church, had been put up texts in large wool letters on scarlet cloth and blue cloth, which have a very pretty effect, and were much admired. The werk of decorating was kindly carried out by members of the congregation. On Christmas Day the services were conducted by the Rev. E. Long, and the choral services "-ere very well rendered, Mrs Oldham and Mr E. Macfarlane presiding at the organ. RANGIOEA.

The Church of St. John the Baptist, Rangiora, was nicely decorated for the Christmas services. A profusion of evergreens were neatly arranged on the pillars and around the windows. A number of appropriate texts were also illuminated by the ladies of the congregation and placed in conspicuous places, those done by Mrs Bethell and Mrs Tribe being especially admired. Several crosses and other designs by Mrs Dudley and the Misses Bramley are deserving of mention. The services were conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley, and there was a good attendance, whom the preacher addressed very earnestly and affectionately on subjects suitable to the occasion. ST. STEPHEN’S, ASHBURTON. This church was very prettily decorated with flowers, evergreens, &c., and a number of tastefully designed mottoes and Scriptural texts. Morning service was conducted by the Rev. Mr Scott.