CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 546, 26 December 1928, Page 11

CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL

SERVICES IN AUCKLAND CHURCHES BROADCAST OF SERMON The festival of Christmas was celebrated by special services in most Auckland churches yesterday, prominence being given to the morning l services. At St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Paul’s Church celebrations of the Holy Eucharist were held at 6,7, S and 11 a.m. Archbishop Averill was the celebrant at the Cathedral at 7 a.m. The sermon of Canon Percival James, at 11 a.m., was broadcast. As a Christmas message he gave the ‘ Let us try to keep young,” saying that the great lesson of the season was the glory of childhood. Three communion services were conducted at St. Matthew’s. The Primate preached there at 11 a.m.. Midnight Mass was celebrated in St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Christmas Eve. Further Masses held yesterday morning included a special celebration for the Yugoslav community. At 11 a.m. solemn pontifical Mass was celebrated by Bishop Liston, who also preached on the necessity for every Christian taking up the challenge of materialism and preserving the spiritual heritage. A recital of sacred music was given by the choir, under the leadership of Mr. Cyril Towsey. Large congregations attended at all services at the cathedral and at the suburban churches.

At a special morning service at St. David’s Presbyterian Church, Khyber Pass Road, the Rev. J. A. Thomson spoke from the text: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among i.s.” There was a good attendance. At midnight Mass at the Catholic Church, Devor.port, a special choir under the baton of Mr. J. J. Cosgrove sang for the first time in Auckland Barrie’s Mass, the soloists receiving appreciative acknowledgments from the Rev. Father Furlong for their handling of the difficult passages. XMAS IN HOSPITAL NURSES DECORATE WARDS BOARD MEMBERS VISIT PATIENTS The wards of the Auckland Hospital were ablaze with colour yesterday, thanks to the efforts of the nursing staff to give the patients a happy Christmas. Nearly 600 patients were forced to lie in bed, but everything possible was done to make them enjoy Christmas Day as thoroughly as though they had been in their own homes. Members of the Hospital Board, following the custom of years, visited the wards. The chairman, Mr. W. Wallace, led the party, which was escorted by Dr. H. L. Gould, acting medical superintendent, and Sister Broun, acting matron, and the other members present included Mrs. E. A. Kidd, Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P., Mr. W. K. Howitt, Mr. M. Laing, and Mr. H. A. Sommerville. They greeted each patient, and congratulated the nurses on the fine decorations they had put up. In the morning his Grace Archbishop Averill held a short service in the hospital. DRAMA OF NATIVITY PACKED CHURCH SEES PLAY Many people were unable to gain admission to St. Paul’s Church last evening when the Christmas play, the “Drama of the Nativity,” so successfully given a week ago, was repeated. The whole act, which took the form of seven living scenes founded upon the Scriptural narrative of the birth of the Christ, was carried out in the atmosphere of divine service, into which the congregation joined reverently and with full appreciation of the spirit of Christmas. The rare beauty of the Madonna and her perfect portrayal of a part calling for the greatest dignity deeply impressed the people. A black-out depicting the shepherds seated round glowing embers watching their flocks was also a feature of the play. As a finale the Christian altar, ablaze with lights, symbolising the throne of God, was revealed to the congregation. During the singing of the last hymn a procession of about 40 of those acting in the scenes, headed by a cross-bearer and concluded by a priest, deacon and sub-deacon, made its way down the aisles to symbolise the Church of God going out among the people of the world.

In view of the success attending the presentation, it will be made an annual Christmas performance.