Norman Banks - The Visionary Behind Carols By Candlelight
- David Moyes
- Dec 24, 2023
- 3 min read
Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. It’s Christmas Eve and perhaps you are finalising your shopping and wrapping; maybe you are traveling to see family; perhaps you are getting the meal ready for today or tomorrow. Because Christmas Eve this year is on a Sunday, church attendance may form a part of your day? Whatever your day brings may you experience the hope of Christmas.
Traditions often form a big part of our Christmas celebrations. And here in Australia, being the southern hemisphere, we have formed our own traditions such as having seafood, gatherings at the beach or park, or playing cricket in the backyard with the extended family. What is your Christmas tradition?
In Australia, we have our own carols to reflect what Christmas is like down under. One such carol is The North Wind written by John Wheeler. The lyrics are:
The north wind is tossing the leaves.
The red dust is over the town;
The sparrows are under the eaves,
And the grass in the paddock is brown;
As we lift up our voices and sing,
To the Christ-child the heavenly King.
That certainly is an Aussie Christmas Carol which is often sung at carol events across Australia. Speaking of which, tonight’s Carols by Candlelight which for many Australians has become a tradition must watch, was originated by an Aussie Christian, Norman Banks. Norman was a radio broadcaster since the 1930s for 50 years on 3KZ and 3AW both in Melbourne. Among his many shows, including talkback and commentator of Australian Rules was his Christian Devotional Spots.
On Christmas Eve 1937 while walking home from his night-time radio, Norman Banks passed a house and through its window he saw an elderly woman sitting up inside listening to Away in a Manger being played on the radio and singing along with her face being lit by candlelight. Then a vision came to him to gather a large group of lonely people to all sing Christmas carols together by candlelight. Then on Christmas Eve 1938, exactly 95 years ago today, the first ever Carols by Candlelight was held in Alexandra Gardens and was attended by around 10,000 people. In 1959 the event moved to the newly constructed Sidney Myer Music Bowl where it remains to this day.
Carols by Candlelight has become an annual Australian Christmas tradition that originated in Melbourne but has now spread throughout Australia and around the world thanks to the vision of a Christian man who wanted to bring lonely people together on Christmas Eve.
For those first few decades the Melbourne Carols By Candlelight had a strong Christian influence but since the 1960s has reflected more of popular culture. Some moan about this, but I am grateful that new generations of people still get to hear the Christmas message through the Christian Carols and the occasional references to Jesus by Christian performers which is broadcast to millions of people.
Norman Banks was a rather controversial figure who was accused of being opinionated and very conservative. But I give thanks to God for his vision of establishing the mass event Carols by Candlelight where Christ’s name has been proclaimed for over 95 years – first in Melbourne and now throughout the world.
I am reminded of the words of Jesus who said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12 NIV). Whatever traditions that you enjoy, may you look at the light on your Christmas tree or the candle on your table and be reminded that Jesus came into our dark world as the light of life.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father. Over this past month carol events across the world have been proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ. Help our dark world to see that Your Son is the light of life. Thank you Jesus for coming into our world rescuing us from the darkness of sin and bringing us into Your wondrous light.
O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
David Moyes
Resources used:
Comments