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Outdoor carols by candlelight and thunderstorms are conflicting traditions in Australia's summer festive season. While Europeans may sing of a "White Christmas" and shiver away, it's distinctively Australian to sing away enjoying a balmy summer's evening outdoors. But balmy can quickly turn stormy and this year the thunderstorms threatened and St Marks Carols had to move from the picturesque lawns of Booloomimbah into the parquetry floor of the Wright Centre. |
Despite the rain, several hundred made the move, crowded in, sprawled over the floor on picnic rugs, enjoyed their picnic teas and shared in the Christmas spirit singing old, favourite carols and a few modern ones, rejoicing in the good news of the Saviour's birth.
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Presenters, Rhys O'Brien and Gemma Cardew (two of St Marks departing Ministry Trainees) developed the theme of celebrating a unique 'royal birth'. For most, a birth notice in the local paper and an annual happy birthday by family and close friends is as big as it gets; yet for a royal birth, magazines will plaster the news around the world and follow the royal celebrities throughout their lives. |
At Christmas, after 2000 years and throughout the world, people still celebrate this royal birth - because uniquely, it was the birth of God's Son; the ruler and rescuer of the whole world. The Bible story of this birth was read amongst the carol singing and people were encouraged to read on for themselves, to follow this royal celebrity as he grew into a man, giving up his life as the one sacrifice to rescue people from the consequences of their rebellion against God and his rising from death to conquer this great enemy.
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And of course children were in the spotlight taking centre stage for the singing of the great favourites 'Away in a Manger' and 'Silent Night'. It was a wonderful evening of celebration and, young or old, Jesus is wonderful news for us to celebrate. |
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