Community Christmas – Part Two
During this Christmas season many Parishes within the diocese have been reaching out to their local communities with the message of Christmas. Last week we heard from St Columba’s in Knock and Parishioner Ian Noad shared the success of their Christmas Tree festival. This week we hear how St John’s Parish took part in the Switch On of the Christmas Tree Lights in Moira.
In the run up to the switching on of the Christmas tree lights St John’s Parish Church held their annual poetry competition where they invited pupils from the local primary schools to write a Christmas poem. This year’s winner, Jane McCarroll (Moira Primary School) had the honour of switching on the Christmas tree lights in Moira on Wednesday 30th November. Jane read her winning poem entitled, ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year’. (See poem below) In her poem Jane records that she wants everyone in Moira to know that the real meaning of this ‘most wonderful time of the year’ is because God’s son Jesus was born.
The event was organised by St John’s Parish Church; the compere was St John’s parishioner Simon Henry (Church of Ireland Youth Officer) and the Rev Joanne Megarrell (Rector) gave a short Christmas address. A choir from Moira Primary School and a choir from Rowandale Primary School each sang a selection of Christmas carols and both choirs joined in singing the closing festive song, ‘We wish you a merry Christmas’.
The special guests were the Mayor and Mayoress of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Brian Bloomfield MBE and Mrs Rosalind Bloomfield. Following the switch–on, people who had packed the centre of the village then packed the nearby St John’s Parish Centre where they enjoyed tea/coffee, mince pies and shortbread served by a team of ladies from St John’s Parish Church. During refreshments, Santa was on hand in St John’s ‘grotto’ with the opportunity for a photo and a gift from his ‘elves’ and the Lurgan Salvation Army Band played a selection of festive music.
Jane McCarroll’s winning poem reads as follows:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
It’s the most wonderful time of the year,But what’s the real meaning of Christmas?I hope everyone in Moira knows,It isn’t about Santa, who is so famous,Or Rudolf with his bright, red nose,Or the snow that melts when you touch it, it sparkles in the light,Or the Christmas tree that is prickly, when you put the bobbles on it.It’s the most wonderful time of the year,What’s the real meaning of this special date?I hope everyone in Moira knows,It isn’t about the delicious turkey on your plate,Or all the delightful presents with sparkly bows,It isn’t about being cosy in bed when you move over and cuddle your ted.It’s the most wonderful time of the year,This is the real meaning of this celebration,I want everyone in Moira to know,Shepherds heard the angels sing the invitation,They hurried to the stable they knew they had to go,When they went that day, they saw Jesus in the hay.It’s the most wonderful time of the year,God’s son Jesus was born and wise men came who were very smart,Ask Jesus now into your heart,That’s the best present you could ever get.
More photographs from the event can be viewed here.