As we bring you the final Diomail of 2023, we couldn’t help but mention the brilliant, bright, vast and varied collection of Christmas capers we’ve noticed going on around the diocese in recent weeks.
From Vicars dressed up as Christingles to live Nativities on the farm, there has been much joy and merriment in sharing ‘the greatest story ever told’ with our schools, churches, and worshipping communities.
The newly renovated Leicester Cathedral opened its doors to children and their families for a Christingle Service, including crafts, carols and a knitted snowball ‘fight’, as well as a visit from a larger than life-size Christingle!
Over in Harborough, Revd Hils Corcoran of St Peter & St Paul Church in Great Bowden, looked an absolute delight dressed up as a Christingle in an orange jumper and handmade tutu for their annual, festive service.
“I think my approach is to try and be light-hearted, creative and fun, whilst trying to capture the essence of the message in a memorable way,” she told us. “It’s also important to involve the congregation - especially the younger members.”
The foil, red ribbon, sticks and candle, were hidden around the church so people could come up and ‘dress’ Revd Hils, and the candle on her head even lit up, as it was full of battery operated fairy lights.
The children also got to build their own Christingles, having been given all the bits in a paper bag when they arrived.
“It was a great service for all ages,” said Revd Hils. “I think an ongoing relational approach with families is really important - this was one event of a number of connection points throughout the year. Those same families also see me at the school gate doing school gate things with my own little boy. We share the ups and downs of life and parenthood together.”
It's been busy in the parishes of Broughton Astley and Croft with Stoney Stanton, what with choral concerts by candlelight, a Christmas Tree Festival and a Scratch Nativity played out by the fabulous Messy Church children and their team of leaders on Boundary Farm in Sapcote.
The Stoney Stanton Posada, affectionately known as Mary, Joseph and the Wonky Donkey, also made its journey between parishes, popping up at events and services throughout the season.
We’ve seen Mossy Church Campside Carols in Nanpanton, Churches Together in Oadby singing carols in the shopping parade, little ones from ‘Raindrops’ at Thurnby Church creating the cutest Nativity scene crafts and this lovely snowman Christmas card from pupils at Foxbridge Primary School who spent the day making Christingles with St Edward’s Church in Castle Donington.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!