Sunday morning in Jeffreyston Church, the fourth in Advent, was a happy occasion with the Sunday School taking an active part in the service. We first sang verses of the Advent Candle Song whilst William lit the fourth candle. Later Nicholas richly entertained us by playing two carols on the clarinet.
The full Sunday School then assisted the Rector, Father Paul, in the building of the Christmas Crib, including introductory readings and prayers. A space was left in the crib for baby Jesus, to be placed in position on Christmas morning. Thomas then beautifully read out a prayer.
The whole Sunday School next assembled at the front of the church to sing sweetly 'Away in a Manger'.
The readings for the day were Isaiah 40 vv. 1-9, Phillipians 4 vv. 4-9 and the Gospel of John 1 vv. 19-27. At the end of the service each member of the Sunday School was given a Christmas present.
In his sermon of day Father Paul used the text from Luke 1, verse 38: "Behold the maid servant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to Your word", which are words spoken by Mary acknowledging the miraculous conception.
Father Paul said that we need to recognise the example of Mary who had faithfully persevered in life's trials, including seeing her son Jesus on the Cross of Calvary.
After evensong, church members joined people from the villages in the Jeffreyston Church Hall to sing community carols heartily.
The planned open-air singing of Carols around the parishes on Monday, December 23 had to be cancelled due to the wet weather. It was agreed to hold a coffee morning instead during early January in order to raise funds for Shelter Cymru.
Jeffreyston Church was nearly filled to capacity for the Midnight Mass service on Christmas Eve. The celebrant was Bishop Dewi Bridges and the speaker was the Rector, Father Paul Davies.
The readings for Christmas Day were Isaiah 9 vv. 2, 6 - 7; Hebrews 1 vv. 1-12 and the Gospel of John 1 vv. 1-14. In his sermon Father Paul referred to these readings but took his text from Luke Chapter 2, verse 15 where we read of the shepherds' plan to travel to Bethlehem. He said that Christmas was a time when many people travelled, some great distances, but God travelled the furthest in coming to earth in the person of Jesus Christ, to provide hope for all.
There was good attendance in Reynalton Church on Christmas morning. In his Christmas message, Canon Thomas referred to the loving gifts which we all exchange at Christmas, saying that the greatest gift to the world is Jesus Christ.