Merry Christmas

Categories: uncategorized

Date: 26 December 2006 16:38:43

The Carol service (and mince-pie eating) marathon ended in style this year with Christmas Day being on a Monday. The previous day saw the usual Eucharist in the morning ('The Angel Gabriel', arr. Pettman), followed by carols, mulled wine, etc. at the hospital - where the doctors tried to outsing us this year, and mostly succeeded - and Midnight Mass (Away in a Manger and Ding, Dong merrily on high). One of the pillar candles above the choir stalls burned down and set the wooden holder alight - we were saved by two quick-acting young choristers, home from university, who began dousing the flames, watched in fascination by the rest of the choir. Never has there been such indisciplined inattentiveness during the Eucharistic Prayer! This was followed by a spot of new-vicar-spotting as he took advantage of the crowds to make an incognito appearance a few weeks early. Luckily for him, there will still be an uncharred church in which to base his work.

Christmas morning was a surprisingly enjoyable service, even after the late night the night before. Five young choristers received their next choral awards - including the eldest one who was celebrating her 18th birthday that day. We were a little low in sopranos, due to Christmas-turkey-in-the-oven anxiety, so the altos also covered the second soprano line for 'Angels from the realms of glory' (arr. Jacques). Then we tucked into the choir present - a huge box of chocolate biscuits and sweets, before being let home for a well-earned Christmas break.