Event: Midnight Mass
Church: Christ Church, St Laurence
When: Sunday December 24, 11:30pm
The activities: A procession that symbolically draws people into the worship. A nativity scene is carried in the procession. A figure of the baby Jesus is laid in the manger. There is a consecration after midnight. Silent Night is sung in German.
Where: Christ Church church building
Attendance: Over 500
Elements that worked best
"It's a very exciting environment because it's the first mass of Christmas and because of our location we have many backpackers from around the world attending," says the rector of Christ Church, St Laurence, the Rev Adrian Stephens.
"The church is packed with people, many singing carols like Silent Night in their own language. It's a great reminder of the worldwide church we are a part of. Also, the choir and liturgical movement are excellent and renowned both inside and outside of Sydney."
What could be improved?
"It would be good to find away to get more people in, but there is really no more room unless we expand the building. It would be good to find a way to get more exposure for this kind of mass and share it more widely in the community," Mr Stephens says.
