Thornleigh Salesian College came together for its Christmas Liturgy 2025, Child of Hope, a reverent and moving celebration centred on the Jubilee Year of Hope and God’s promise fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.

The liturgy began with a candlelit procession of the choir to Gift of God, creating a reflective and prayerful atmosphere. A Year 11 student leader introduced the theme, reminding the community that Christmas is the story of God’s promise, before the choir led a powerful rendition of The First Nowell.

Through scripture, prophecy and symbolic action, pupils retold the story of salvation history. Readers and prophets traced God’s promise from the words of Isaiah and the prophets, through the announcements to Zechariah, Mary and Joseph, and finally to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Each stage of the story was marked by the gentle procession of figures to the crib, accompanied by candles that were placed on the altar, gradually building a visible sign of hope and light.

Prayers and music were woven throughout the liturgy, including joyful carols such as Calypso Carol and reflective moments with Silent Night and Away in a Manger. A dance performance to Snowman added a contemporary expression of the joy and wonder of Christmas, while the choir’s beautiful singing supported the prayerful tone of the celebration.

The shepherds’ encounter with the angels and their journey to the manger reminded the congregation that the Child of Hope is revealed first to the humble and the ordinary. As shepherds and kings were brought forward to the crib, the message of Christ’s light for all people was clearly proclaimed.
The liturgy concluded with a moment of deep symbolism as students entered carrying white candles, lighting the final Advent candle during Christmas Time Is Here. Fr Saju offered a final message and blessing, encouraging the community to carry the hope of Christ into their daily lives, before the joyful closing carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

The Child of Hope liturgy was a beautiful expression of faith, creativity and reflection, reminding the Thornleigh community that even in darkness, God’s promise of hope shines brightly through Christ.