January 5, 2006

Churches from around the Anglican Communion reported record attendance at their Christmas services. Carol Services and the traditional Midnight Mass found churches with standing room only, with some places having to turn people away for safety reasons. This was in contrast to news that some mega-churches denominations were closing on Christmas.

The traditional all-night queue at Kings College Chapel of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Cambridge, was again evident as hundreds tried to get into the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast world-over each December 24th. This is likely the most widely broadcast Christian worship service in the world.

The Revd Paul Lillie, writing from Jerusalem said, "People were very faithful this year, as they have always been. The Jerusalem Episcopalians braved checkpoints, rainy weather, and brisk winds in order to greet the Holy Child of Bethlehem with their usual warmth and generous spirit. Masses on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were full despite the difficult conditions here." Bus loads of Anglicans made their way to Manger Square to sing Carols as well. To finish the season, The new bishop co-adjutor will be consecrated on Epiphany in St George's Cathedral.

In Times Square New York, the lively church of St Mary the Virgin was packed at Midnight as the USA Primate offered the Eucharist. At St Paul's Cathedral, London, people were turned away at the Christmas Eve Carol service, presided over by the Bishop of London, as safety regulations would not allow more inside, thus well over 3000 were in attendance. At Midnight the cathedral was full again for the Eucharist.

Grace Episcopal Cathedral San Francisco reports 6000 people worshipped at the 5 services over the weekend. Carol Barnwell, Diocese of Texas spokesman said that all churches held services on Christmas Day and that Christmas eve found "record crowds" in all the churches of the diocese.

Carols at Canterbury Cathedral, Mother church of the Communion, also welcomed long queues and eager people on Christmas eve afternoon for the service led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Dean and the choir of men and boys. "It was packed," said one of the Minor Canons. Salisbury Cathedral repeats their carol service and still finds the crowds at full capacity.

Ian Ellis, editor of the Church of Ireland's Gazette told ACNS, "As usual the midnight First Communion of Christmas was the best attended Christmas service in my parish (Newcastle, Diocese of Dromore). I find that many young people come to this service. It has a special appeal. With Christmas Day falling on a Sunday, it's difficult to compare numbers with last year, but there seemed to be more people out at church this Christmas." At Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Archbishop John Neill preached to a packed cathedral. There was also much media coverage of the Archbishop's message as it dealt mainly with immigration.

From Paris, Episcopal Bishop Pierre Whalon said, "I have received reports of heavy turnouts for Christmas 2005 from the churches of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe . Although many people in Europe travel at Christmas, the American churches tend to have high levels of visitors both from their local community as well as travellers."

The bishop said, "Excellent musical programs, beautiful liturgies and strong preaching are reasons that French visitors to the American Cathedral gave to me for their attendance. Several said they come every Christmas. Along similar lines, the Cathedral offers two Lessons & Carols services every year, both to packed houses. These services have become part of the Parisian cultural scene and are heavily attended by French people."

"Our services were well attended in both urban and rural areas of the Diocese," said Bishop David Beetge from Southern Africa, Diocese of the Highveld. "The two I attended on Christmas Day were very well attended with our Cathedral almost full and the morning service at one of our biggest churches filled to capacity."

Bishop David Hamid, from the Diocese in Europe, said, "I just heard from our priest in Pau this morning – Fr Alan Heslop, who said, "Christmas at Pau was amazing" with Midnight Mass attendance being three times last year, and Christmas Day five times."

Communications Officer Jim Naughton of the Diocese of Washington USA said, "I went to Saint Columba's, our biggest parish, and the crowds at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve were so large that they had to set up a television set in the common for the overflow."

In London, Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Square, experienced incredible attendance figures throughout Advent. Associate priest Fr Nadim Nasaar of the Trinity Institute for Christianity and Culture, said, "literally hundreds filled Holy Trinity for St Nicholas Day, the main Carol service and both Christmas eve and Christmas Day. It was wonderful." The candlelight carol service at nearby St Paul's Knightsbridge also was marked by record attendance at the midweek celebration on 21 December.

At All Saints in Friern Barnet in North London reader Cindy Kent said, "We had a significant rise in numbers this year at both Midnight Mass and Christmas morning. Also our Christingle on Christmas Eve played to a packed house! People at Midnight Mass seemed more "sober" this year. I was preaching – asking the question "where will you put Jesus this Christmas" and got some very thoughtful comments afterwards."

Again, referring to news that some non-Anglican churches closed for Christmas, the Vicar of Kensington told ACNS, "‘Christmas Day, after Easter and Good Friday, is the third most important day in the Christian Year. Not to offer public worship would be unthinkable. At St Mary Abbots our worship attracts young and old; regular worshippers and visitors from around the world; the wealthy and the destitute; those for whom it is central to their family Christmas and those who, having no other family, would be alone were it not for the church. It our great privilege to offer this ministry to all."

Housebound persons and "seekers" could find religious programmes on television and radio. In the realm of the internet, Trinity Church, Wall Street, new York, a pioneer institution in the genre of telecommunications, shared statistics with us. On Christmas Eve for the late evening Solemn Eucharist some 2800 people took advantage of the webcast on demand.

For Anglicans, Christmas runs through the Feast of the Epiphany, thus the 12 Days of Christmas. Some churches are known to keep some decorations around until February 2, the feast of the Presentation of Christ, the Purification of Mary, also called Candlemas.

Anglican Communion News Service, London
Article by Canon James Rosenthal: Director of Communications ACO.