Three days before Christmas Day, the whole school community gathered to celebrate the meaning of Christmas and to share the joy and love of Christmas with friends and family. Every year I am amazed how the sports hall is completely transformed for events such as the St Gerard’s Carol Service. Chairs are put out in perfect rows, an altar is erected, stands for the junior and senior choir are brought out, and it suddenly no longer looks like a sports hall but a lovely event venue!
On the 22nd of December I walked down to the sports hall with my friends first thing in the morning for a final choir rehearsal and a run through of my reading. This year I was pleased to be given the reading of the ‘Lighting of the Advent Wreath’. Initially I was to say a prayer of the faithful in Dutch, but when I was promoted to the ‘Lighting of the Wreath’ reading, I was delighted! As we finished our choir rehearsal, families and students began to pour into the hall and took their seat. Within a few minutes the hall was completely full, with over a thousand people attending the Carol Service 2016!
When the clock struck 11 AM, the senior choir began to sing ‘The Angel’s Carol’ to mark the start of the Carol Service 2016. I was so happy be to part of the choir, as it is lovely singing Christmas songs together with friends, and it felt great to be part of a prominent school event! Throughout the Carol service there were many incredible solos by students in 1st year to students in 6th year. Readings with real meaning and relevance were said, and the congregation sat watching the Carol Service unfold in awe. The junior choir was exceptionally good this year! However, unfortunatly a boy in the last row of the junior choir seemed to have suddenly and unexpectedly fainted, and hit his head awfully hard against the floor. There was a moment of fear, as everyone one watched in confusion and worry at what had just happened. To everyone’s relief, the poor boy was alright but in pain. We had to continue singing as the boy was carried out of the hall. I could see people exchanging looks of worry and hoping that he was alright.
The Carol Service continued smoothly, with more songs and readings, including my reading. After we sang ‘Hark the Herald’ I walked swiftly to the altar, bowed to the cross and then followed Killian up the altar. Killian Beashel said his reading on ‘The Meaning of the Advent Wreath’, once he his reading ended he placed a little step by the pulpit for me as I was a little smaller than everyone else so I required an extra step to reach the microphone! I was slightly nervous before my reading, but also excited! While I said the reading, I couldn’t bring myself to look up at the congregation until the last line. I just read the reading, and kept my head down to calm my nerves! I was happy with how it went, and I thought the meaning of the reading was a powerful one. Each candle in the Advent Wreath has a meaning and symbol, the fourth candle on the Advent wreath is called the Angels' candle. It reminds us of the hope fulfilled in the first coming of our Savior and of our continuing hope as we anticipate his coming again.
My favourite song of the entire Carol Service was the song we sang as a Chamber Choir. The song is called ‘Born is the Light of the World’ and is truly a wonderful song, that I thoroughly enjoy singing with the Chamber Choir! Another brilliant song performed this year at the Carol Service was a group of four young boys from the Junior School who sang ‘Walking in the Air’ together. Without doubt Anabel’s solo in O Holy Night was amazing! My parents thought that this year the Carol Service was the best so far! There were many fantastic songs, and many hours of practicing and organising gone into the Carol Service.
The Carol Service is a great school event that truly reflects the meaning of Christmas. It mirrors the ethos of our school community and is lots of fun to be part of!
“Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas”!
“Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas”!