Every month we submit an article written by one of the elders or church members to Great Shelford's monthly magazine. Here is our latest contribution for the December 2024 edition.
Community Carols @ Shelford Memorial Hall
Tuesday 17th December 6.30 - 7.30pm
‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' Isaiah 9 v6 (ESV)
Christmas carols are a way of telling the story of the nativity and the birth of Jesus Christ. They contain great truths - truths of hope, love, and joy - something that's hard to find in an age where truth is viewed as relative. Those who know carols have that truth hidden in their hearts, ready to pull out at a moment's notice.
The word ‘carol’ actually means a dance or a song of praise and joy celebrating the birth of Christ. The power of music evokes a memory and with those memories come emotions.
In Christmas, the Christian faith brought together traditional winter feasts and celebrations, which were designed to spread light in the dark, deep midwinter months, and the celebrations of Jesus's birth. Christmas carols have an appropriately uplifting and celebratory style to honour such an occasion. Over the centuries, songs have been written to help God's people remember the story of Christ's birth and its significance so they could respond in joy or adoration.
One of the earliest recorded Christmas carols was the ‘Angel’s Hymn’ in 129 AD which is said to be the precursor for the carol now known as Hark! The Herald angels sing.
Carols are something that we mostly take for granted at this time of year, and we sing them unquestioningly as part of our Christmas celebrations. The fact that we usually sing carols in groups means that we associate them with a sense of community happiness, especially since they are sung at Christmas which is generally thought of as a joyful time of year. Despite their religious origins, they continue to play a large role in many people's Christmas celebrations.
Great Shelford Parish Council and the churches of St. Mary the Virgin and Shelford Free Church invite you to gather with family and friends on Tuesday 17th December at 6:30pm to enjoy the timeless Christmas carols celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ whilst reflecting on the real meaning of Christmas.
During the evening, the Christmas story will be retold through the singing of traditional carols accompanied by the City of Cambridge Brass Band. Characters from the Christmas story will add their reflections about their experience during the period of the birth of Jesus 2,000 years ago.
After the carols, mulled wine & mince pies, tea, coffee and soft drinks will be served.
Colin Jefferson