Amidst the food and festivities, Christians around the world gather today to celebrate the day the world changed – when a boy named Jesus was born in a manger 2,000 years ago.

Some churches, particularly those under the Catholic or Anglican body, mark the holy night with a tradition called the Midnight Mass or Eucharist, a tradition that is believed to date back to the 4th century.

The altar servers, choir members and bishops waiting for the processional to commence at 10.30pm. The Midnight Eucharist has been an ongoing tradition at St Andrew’s Cathedral since it was first built in the 19th Century. Photos by Rachel Phua.

At St Andrew’s Cathedral, Singapore’s oldest Anglican church, the Midnight Eucharist has been an ongoing tradition since the church’s founding in 19th century, said Reverend Hambali Leonardi, a deacon at St Andrew’s.

At 9.45pm on Monday night, parishioners and visitors started filing into the Nave and the New Sanctuary to prepare for the 10.30pm service. About 1,500 people attend the Midnight Eucharist every year. 

Bishop Rennis Ponniah, the head of the Singapore Anglican Church, giving a sermon about the significance of Christ’s birth to an audience of about 1,500. The sermons at the annual service have taken a more evangelistic approach in the last 10 years ago. Photos by Rachel Phua.

Reverend Leonardi said he looks forward to the annual service because it signifies a “profound transformation of the universe”.

“The Midnight Eucharist reminds us of the coldness of the original night, climaxing at the birth of the light of the world.”

When Christ was born, it was a simple and quiet reception among lowly shepherds and animals. 2,000 years later, it is a global celebration with close to one-third of the world today, he said. “I’m so grateful for it.”

The parish praying for repentance before the go forward for communion. Photos by Rachel Phua.

Having the Cathedral still aglow and welcoming people in as the rest of the city dims is also a symbol of the true meaning of Christmas, Reverend Leonardi added.

According to him, the sermons have taken on a greater evangelistic tone since about a decade ago, as many who attend the service do not go to church regularly. It could become an “opportunity for people to rededicate and renew their faith”.

The evening closed on Christmas Day itself, as the choir sang the Christmas hymns O Holy Night and O Come, All Ye Faithful during the ending processional. Photos by Rachel Phua.