Report prepared by Joy Perera for Sri Lankan NSW Catholic Association; Photographs by Roy Gunaratne.

Over 300 people of the Sri Lankan Catholic Community in Sydney and their friends who gathered at the Don Moore Community Hall on Saturday 04 December 2010 to celebrate Christmas heard this message loud and Clear.

The event – The Christmas Carols and Nativity Play 2010 was organised by the Sri Lankan NSW Catholic Association. This was the fourth successive year that this annual event was held in Sydney . Each year it had grown in its beauty and the quality of performance.

The main highlight of the event was the beautiful Nativity Play by the children well supported by the Children's Choir. The audience was moved to tears of joy by the natural talent and artistry displayed by the children.

Other highlights included Carols singing by the Senior and Youth choirs, and Christmas messages by Rev. Fr. Jude Nicholas and invited guest Sister Anne Laid-Law, the Secretary for Immigrant Communities of the Sydney Archdiocese. The event was graced by the distinguished guests – Sister Anne, Mr Dayasiri Fernando – the Sri Lankan Consulate General in NSW, Mrs Fernando, Hon. Nick Berman – Mayor of Hornsby Shire Council, Mrs Berman and their children.

At the end of the first part of the program which was essentially one of spiritual worship, the program changed mood into a festive celebration of Christmas with Bonny Fernando and his lively Band Heart Beatz belting out Christmas songs such as ‘White Christmas', ‘Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer' and ‘Jingle Bells'. That's when Santa Claus arrived to the cheers and delight of the children who flocked around him. Santa was a great hit among all.

Music and dancing continued well into the night, and the joyful and festive mood prevailed till the end of the program around 11PM.

Click here to view an album of photos by Roy Gunaratne

A passage from the Book of Isaiah Chapter 9 reads;

For unto us a child is born. A son is given to us. He is called: Wonderful Counseler; the Mighty God; the one who lives forever; the Prince of Peace. His Kingdom will be Great. He will rule with Justice and Peace. The Love of our God will make this happen.