This year as is our usual custom, the Annual Carol service was held at our Guild Church , St. James' Garlyckhythe. The Master, James de Sausmarez, and his Chaplain, The Reverend Paul Hunt, were determined that the service should convey the true meaning of Christmas and be an act of worship that was both moving and full of truth.
In addition to the traditional Christmas readings, Lucy Ponder, Apprentice to the Master read “Behold I stand” by Gerard Kelly which reminded us all that despite the secularisation of Christmas and the failure of so many people to appreciate the good news of great joy that is his birth, Jesus is always standing at the door for us. In his Christmas homily, Paul Hunt talked about Bethlehem , which means house of bread, describing its war torn today and biblical past and noting that like every other place upon God’s earth, Bethlehem is a place of human experience, the human condition. It is not the picturesque, tinsel-laden town of Christmas sentimentality immune from reality. That is the preferred image of Christmas for those seeking escape rather than redemption. It is in this place, this House of Bread, into which the Christ-Child came. God enters personally into human history, into our history, with the promise of redemption from the transitory to the eternal.
Our worship was considerably enhanced by the Senior Choir of Emanuel School, who were conducted by their Director of Music, Jonathan Holmes, and accompanied by organist, Simon Gregory, on the newly restored St James' organ. The choir sung pieces by J S Bach, C V Stanford, Benjamin Britton, Orlando Gibbins and the very popular “Shepherd’s Pipe” by John Rutter. The talent of the youngsters in the choir was clear to see as a number of solos were beautifully sung and the Company is indebted to the Headmaster of Emanuel School for allowing his choir to support us in this way. The Master included a modern carol in his choices, “Born in the Night” by Geoffrey Ainger, which proved popular, and his own favourite, “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”. Freeman, The Reverend Margaret Cotton, led the prayers with a refreshing simplicity and the Rector of St James, The Reverend Dr Alan Griffin, appropriately pronounced the blessing using the words of John Rutter’s “May the Lord bless you and keep you”.
There can be no doubt that the Master and his Chaplain succeeded in their objectives as all of the congregation, which was one of the largest for many years, were visibly moved by the service and left refreshed.
Following the service, 54 of the Liverymen and their guests joined the Master for an informal dinner in a private room at Per%ento restaurant in Ludgate Hill, to celebrate the Christmas tide with a splendid supper and some excellent wine. It was a truly worthy start to the festive season.
Thanks are due to the Master and his Chaplain for arranging such an inspiring evening.