Huron Expositor, 2007-12-19, Page 11News
Attendance swells at local churches Christmas Eve
The Huron Expositor • December 19, 2007 Page 11
Aaron J a c k l i n
As commonly happens this time of
year, Seaforth churches will see an
increase in attendance as people
congregate to celebrate and observe
the holiday.
"You can see the attendance peak
over the Christmas period, but par-
ticularly, the focus is on Christmas
Eve," says Rev. John Gould of
Northside United.
Gould sees this as an offshoot of
the Victorian era, where Christmas
became much more about families
than it had been before and where
families really started going to
Christmas church services together,
which became a tradition.
This is something Pastor Steve
Hildebrand of Egmondville United
Church sees too.
"A lot of folks, that was their tra-
dition from when they were
younger," he says.
Gould says, "People like to sing
carols, people like to see the church
decorated."
He says the churches help fill a
need for many people to get closer to
God on Christmas Eve.
"People want to sing carols and
hear the story," he says.
"I think it places us," he says. "It
puts us into a context with our-
selves and other people and God. I
think that's probably the most
important aspect of it."
Father Chris Gillespie of St.
James Roman Catholic Church
finds that attendance swells too.
"I think it's a
time where fami-
lies are getting
back together, so
we have people coming in from out
of town," he says. "I think people
recognize the significance as well,
that it's about the celebration of
Jesus' birthday.."
Gillespie says that even though
people often get caught up in the
other parts of the season, like shop-
ping, that they recognize the cen-
trality of the religious aspect.
There's also a social aspect.
Gould says, "They get to meet
their neighbours and come with
their relatives and friends."
"From the perspective of the
Christian church, it's an opportuni-
ty for us to offer hospitality," he
says.
Rev. Henry Huberts of the First
Presbyterian Church also says the
Christmas services serve a social
purpose.
"I think it's encouraging for people
to know there's a big crowd.
Everybody wants to be where every-
body is."
Personally, Huberts finds the tra-
ditional hymns and the lighting of
the candle and a focus on Christ to
be what makes the time significant
to him.
"Christmas is all about Christ," he
says.
Gillespie says it's great to see so
many people out.
"You have a nice full church. It's
good to see everybody," he says.
See SINGING, Page 38
9fernj
Wishing you and your family peace & happiness
Throughout this Holiday Season!
Seated(L to R): Larry McGrath, Bernie MacLellan, Joe Seili,
Alvin McLellan, Joe Steffler
Standing(L to R): Bill Siemon, , Frank Stretton, Orval Bauer, Bob Fisher,
Dave Blaney, Andrew Flowers, Les Falconer
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No one understands the importance of
family more than us.
We are family, serving families.... and that
goes a long way towards appreciating what a
holiday like Christmas means.
As your family gathers this holiday season,
remember to give thanks for these precious
moments together.
From our family to yours,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
aeirtofr , cafes, co d co��Swa
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47 High St. Seaforth, Ontario NOK 1 WO
Office 519-527-1142 www.boxsmfthtunsralchapsl.com
Christopher M. Smith - Funeral Director
we have people coming in from out
of town," he says. "I think people
recognize the significance as well,
that it's about the celebration of
Jesus' birthday.."
Gillespie says that even though
people often get caught up in the
other parts of the season, like shop-
ping, that they recognize the cen-
trality of the religious aspect.
There's also a social aspect.
Gould says, "They get to meet
their neighbours and come with
their relatives and friends."
"From the perspective of the
Christian church, it's an opportuni-
ty for us to offer hospitality," he
says.
Rev. Henry Huberts of the First
Presbyterian Church also says the
Christmas services serve a social
purpose.
"I think it's encouraging for people
to know there's a big crowd.
Everybody wants to be where every-
body is."
Personally, Huberts finds the tra-
ditional hymns and the lighting of
the candle and a focus on Christ to
be what makes the time significant
to him.
"Christmas is all about Christ," he
says.
Gillespie says it's great to see so
many people out.
"You have a nice full church. It's
good to see everybody," he says.
See SINGING, Page 38
9fernj
Wishing you and your family peace & happiness
Throughout this Holiday Season!
Seated(L to R): Larry McGrath, Bernie MacLellan, Joe Seili,
Alvin McLellan, Joe Steffler
Standing(L to R): Bill Siemon, , Frank Stretton, Orval Bauer, Bob Fisher,
Dave Blaney, Andrew Flowers, Les Falconer