The Anglican Communion today reported record figures for its Christmas service attendances across its world churches.
In many church carol services and traditional Midnight Masses, churches were seen with only standing-room to offer congregants, and even some churches had to send worshippers away to neighbouring churches for safety reasons of over-crowding.The latest news comes in contrast to the news reported prior to Christmas that some Mega-Churches would be closing its doors on Christmas.
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.”
Hundreds tried to get into the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast world-over each December 24th at King’s College Chapel of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Cambridge. The Anglican Communion press office report that this is likely to be 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.”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.
