CHRISTMAS DAY IN PUKEKOHE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 260, 29 December 1914, Page 3

CHRISTMAS DAY IN PUKEKOHE.

(Contributed.)

Chrißtmaa is Christmas all tbe world over—a time of happiness and rejoicing for all Chiistian people, and although we are at present engaged in the most strenuous war known to us, still we were able to enjoy the maiiy pleasures cf the Christmas season. Many homes missed, no doubt, tbe cheerful faces of those who have gone to the front and who ate now on active duty in Egpyl or Samoa, and tbe thoughts of many weiu with these who spent their Ghristmas under the shadow of the Pyramid?. Early on Christmas morning the residents of Pukekohe werej awakened by strains of music, and those who were energetic enough to crawl out of bed at such an early hour were rewarded by hearing soma of the Christmas hymns, carols and familiar songs, such as "Kid, White and Blue" ar.d "A Long Way to Tipperary,"' played with great feeling and skill by several members of the 3rd Regimental Band, Auckland. They had left Auckland at midnight, but their efforts would certainly be rewarded by the appreciation and generous donations given by Pukekohe people. The services arranged for Christmas Day at the various churches were sill well attended. St. Andrew's Church was tastefully decorated for the occasion with white flowers and bush ferns, an important feature being the new white altar cloth presented to the church by the Ladies' Guild. This handsome of work was done by Miss Dell, and showed to great advantage, as new gas jets have recently been placed in the chancel. Services were held at 8 a.m. and at 7.30 p.m.; in the evening the well known Christmas hymns weie heartily sung and enjoyed by the eongregition. The sermon was preached by the Kov. F. B. Dobson, who took for bis text tbe verse from the Bible verse of the second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy," the text the Rev. Samuel Marsden chose for the sermon preached one hundred years ago at the first servioe held in New Zealand. The preacher gave an interesting account of the life and work of Mr Marsden, also a brief description of tne service held at Russell on that Christmas Day, a century ago.