Charities spreading Christmas cheer to those in need

Grey skies failed to dampen the festive cheer across Sydney today with the city’s churches and charities ensuring nobody was left out in the rain.

Punters had a festive Christmas, regardless of where they come from, at Bondi Beach.

But for those who had difficulty getting outdoors, the Wiggles weren’t going to let anyone missing out - bringing joy to those stuck at the Sydney Children's Hospital, Westmead.

Santa himself also made a visit, surprising the children with bundles of presents – with a visit from the man in red putting a grin even on stubborn seven-year-old Amy La.

"It's heart-warming, it's good for the soul," Santa Claus told 9NEWS.

Meanwhile, Sydney's churches were bursting as thousands of worshippers paused to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

The Anglican worshippers at St Andrew's Cathedral swelled with a chorus of voices.

At St Mary's Cathedral, parishioners chose to confront the Catholic church's failings head-on.

"We ache with shame and sorrow for the young people who were so terribly hurt," Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said during his Christmas eulogy.

"There have been more than a few rotten apples in our church's history... and more than a few failures of leadership."

For many, Christmas is a day to get the family around the table for a big traditional lunch.

But not everyone has a home to go to, and that's where charities and an army of volunteers stepped in to provide Christmas cheer.

Under a marquee at Ashfield, in Sydney's Inner West, was Sydney's biggest Christmas lunch.

Reverend Bill Crews and the Exodus Foundation have been feeding Sydney's poor and homeless on Christmas Day for 32 years.

Today, they served 3000 hot lunches.

"So many people in our society are one pay packet away from catastrophe today. Anything we can do to hold individuals and family together, we've got to do," Rev. Crews told 9NEWS.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull spent Christmas the same way he does every year - plating up prawns at the Wayside Chapel in the heart of Kings Cross.

"It's practical love, it's unconditional love, it's really what Christmas should be all about," he said.