Celebrating the true spirit of Christmas
In the worldwide movement against affluenza, over-consumerism and plastic waste, it is easy to get off the bandwagon and let loose at Christmas time when we have been good all year long. For those who want to challenge themselves and their family till the very end, we have garnered some fun family events away from the long lines of shoppers, foodies and tourists in Hong Kong.
There are many non-consumerist and free events held all over the city during this period. We have listed below are some FREE Christian events which you may wish to join...
Attending special services at St. John’s Cathedral, Garden Road
Crib Service - This service depicts a nativity scene showing baby Jesus in a crib surrounded only by hay. Not having toys around the crib symbolizes a simple life and it is a good lesson for kids. There would also be some Christmas carol singing. No reservations are required.
Date: Saturday, 22nd Dec 2018
Time: 3:00-3.30pm
Target audience: Families with young kids or babies
Christingle Service - Kids get to make an orange with candle and 4 sticks to symbolize that Christmas is celebrated in the four corners (the 4 sticks) of the world (the orange). No reservations are required.
Monday, 24th Dec 2018
4:30 pm
Target audience: Families with young or older kids
For further details, please contact the cathedral at +852 2523 4157 or email them at general@stjohnscathedral.org.hk
Spread the Christmas cheer by joining Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Kennedy Town at their carol singing activities
Date: Sunday, 16th Dec 2018
Time: 2.00-4.30pm
Where: Sandy Hospital; gather at 1.15pm at MTR Exit A, Green mini-bus
Date: Tuesday, 18th Dec 2018
Time: 2.00-4.00pm
Where: Chee Sing Kok Elderly House, Mount Davis; gather at 1.15pm at the Parish Office, Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Pokfield Road, Kennedy Town
Date: Sunday, 23rd Dec 2018
Time: 2.00-3.30pm
Where: Street caroling Kennedy Town; gather at 1.45pm at St. Charles School Hall 1/f
For further details, please contact the church at +852 28195777 or email them at olrchurch@catholic.org.hk
Enjoy an intimate Christmas at Emmanuel Church on Pok Fu Lam road
Participate in community-like carol singing (children friendly)
Date: Sunday, 16th Dec 2018
Time: 7.00-8.00pm
Traditional Midnight Mass of the Nativity and Blessing of the crib
Date: Monday, 24th Dec 2018
Time: 11.00pm
Address: 139 Pok Fu Lam Road (Daughter church of St. John’s Cathedral)
Family service with carol singing
Date: Tuesday, 25th Dec 2018
Time: 10.15am – 11.15am
Special childrens’ service aptly called “Joyful Noise Eucharist” – an interactive talk with kids on Christmas
Date: Sunday, 30th Dec 2018
Time: 10.15am
The church also encourages kids to bring presents (up until the 30th of Dec) which will then be collected, put into a Santa bag and distributed to under privileged kids at St. Christopher’s Home.
For further details, please contact the church at +852 2523 4157 or email them at general@stjohnscathedral.org.hk
Apart from the above, one could also attend the special masses. St. Joseph’s Church (37 Garden Road) has a 9-day devotion called Simbang Gabi (a Filipino tradition) from 15th to 23rd Dec, during which they have daily masses at 9pm. There is also a midnight mass on Christmas eve and 10 masses on Christmas day! Please contact the church at +852 25223992 or email them at stjosephs.hk@gmail.com for further details.
As The Rev. Robert of Emmanuel church summed it up, “Let this Christmas not just be about ourselves. Go out and show an act of kindness!”
Credits: Special thanks to the churches, their administrators and our interviewees- The Very Revd Matthias C. Der, Dean of St John's Cathedral and The Revd Robert Martin CMP of Emmanuel Church for sharing these wonderful events.