St Mary’s Cathedral was filled with festive light and joyful song during the annual Choral Christmas concert on Friday 14 December.
Director of Music, Thomas Wilson, led the Cathedral’s world-class choir in performing many beloved and traditional Christmas hymns including, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful, Once in Royal David City and O Little Town of Bethlehem.
Throughout the performance readings from scripture and poetry, focussed on the spirit of Christmas, were recited by people of note, among them vocalist and TV personality, Marcia Hines AM, journalist, Ky Chow, and fashion designer, Steven Khalil.
In his meditation, Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP reflected on the birth of Christ as light entering into darkness.
“Our musical and liturgical instincts to situate Christmas in the darkness are sound ones: for the birth of the Baby Jesus did indeed occur at night… From the very beginning of the Gospels, Jesus is celebrated as the light come into darkness.”
Most people experience walking in darkness at some time during their lives, he said, such as those suffering mental illness or those enduring grief, loneliness and anxiety. Christmas, however, brings the light of hope to everyone.
“At Christmas the people living with darkness in their hearts will see a great light! Those living without music in their souls will hear angels singing on high! Those desperately needing some good news for their minds will hear news of great joy; that a saviour is born for us, He is Christ the Lord.”
