Colin Buchanan entertaining hundreds of children at St Andrew's Cathedral today is just one example of revival at the cathedral according to one of its senior ministers.
The senior assistant minister at St Andrew's Cathedral, the Rev Chris Moroney says the running of four additional services at the cathedral during the Christmas period this year signify a growth in church attendance taking place in the city of Sydney.
"Last year we had about two and half thousand attend across our Christmas services, so with four more services and better promotion this year I think the attendance could potentially double," Mr Moroney says.
"I think this reflects a movement of Sydney coming back to God."
St Andrew's will hold a total of 12 church services in the lead up to and including Christmas Day that cater for a wide range of ages and backgrounds.
"We are seeing the baby boom in the city have an impact on the life of the cathedral with an increase in the numbers of families with children attending our events," Mr Moroney says.
On Christmas Eve St Andrew's has something on offer for people of every age and stage with four Christmas services at 4pm, 6pm, 8pm and 11pm.
St Andrew's Cathedral Dean Phillip Jensen will speak at all four services on the theme of God's amazing grace.
"At the 4pm Family Christmas service Peter Tong is doing some magic tricks which is sure to entertain the kids. We are hoping people who are in the city doing their shopping as a family will stop in for the service before heading home to put the kids to bed," Mr Moroney says.
Today, St Andrew's is playing host to two Colin Buchanan concerts which have now become an annual cathedral tradition in the lead up to Christmas.
"Colin's concerts are an opportunity for lots of kids to have lots of fun singing Christian Christmas songs with Colin and for their parents to get together in the city and catch up," Mr Moroney says.
Christmas firsts at St Andrew's
A Seniors Carols will be held at the Cathedral for the first time this year on Saturday December 22 at 2pm and will include vocal accompaniment from the St Swithun's, Pymble choir and a talk from the Rev John Chapman.
"Being held on Saturday afternoon allows older people to get to a carols service who might not be able to make the evening ones and with a talk from John Chapman, those present will hear the gospel and have their spirits lifted," Mr Moroney says.
The Cathedral's first ever World Christmas service will be held at 4pm on Sunday December 23 with Asian Bible Ministry pastor the Rev Andrew Lim speaking.
Another first for the Cathedral will be the loudspeakers placed in St Andrew's Square so those outside can be a part of the service.
"We are expecting some services to have an overflow so we are opening Chapter House and placing large speakers in the square," Mr Moroney says.
"We have done better advertising and promotion this year through better signage for the Cathedral and through our involvement with the Sydney City parade last month with our choir and leafleting."
Archbishop Peter Jensen will preach at two Cathedral Christmas services this year: the Festival of Carols service at 7pm on Saturday, December 22 and the Archbishop's Christmas service at 10am on Christmas Day.
Visit the St Andrews Cathedral website for more details about Christmas in the Cathedral 2007.
