Christmas
at the Cathedral
As our parishes prepare for Christmas services, Dean of Newcastle Katherine Bowyer highlights what is happening at Christ Church Cathedral and explains why the festive season is so special.
l a r d e th a C h c r u h C t Chris
Christmas Services
CHRISTMAS EVE
CHRISTMAS DAY
5:00PM
Family Service
7:00AM
Holy Eucharist
7:30PM
Nine Lessons and Carols
9:00AM
Orchestral Mass
are some of the Christmas services is Christmas such an important time Q What Q Why on offer at the Cathedral? of the year? means lots of things for different a family-friendly interactive service A Christmas A From people but, in the end, it’s all about love. at 5pm on Christmas Eve, through to the traditional beauty of the Nine Lessons and Carols Service, and the late-night service on Christmas Eve (10.30pm), which finishes around midnight.
On Christmas Day, there is a service at 7am for excited early risers or people travelling to be with family, and then a wonderful Orchestral Communion Service at 9am – the perfect way to prepare for a day with family and friends or making new friends volunteering at the Samaritans lunch.
For Christians, it’s the celebration of the birth of Jesus – God’s love incarnate. Christmas also means gathering and celebration, and love is at the heart of that. I believe that when we love, and experience love, then we catch a glimpse of the enormity of God’s unconditional love for us. At the first Christmas, it was the most everyday of people who were the first to come to the manger. Everyone is welcome. is so special about the Christmas Q What services? me, the most special thing about the A For Christmas services is celebrating that God
10:30PM Orchestral ‘Midnight Mass’ (preceded at 10:15pm by a performance of Corelli’s Christmas Concerto.)
loves us so much that God sent God’s son into the world so that we can know that God’s love for us most fully. In a world that can seem pretty grim at times, this is a good news message that definitely sparks joy!
www.newcastlecathedral.org.au | (02) 4929 2052
would you encourage people to Q Why come to the Cathedral at Christmas? of the blessings of the Cathedral is A One that we aim to be a place for everyone to
DEAN OF NEWCASTLE KATHERINE BOWYER AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL.
find a home. Whether you’re looking for a quiet, reflective service, something grand, or something with lots of action, we are able to provide a place for everyone. We’re a place for the community to gather, and Christmas is a time for gathering.
Christmas services will be held throughout the Diocese. To find a parish near you, visit: newcastleanglican.org.au/ministries/find-a-church/ 12
Encounter Christmas 2023
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