Tony Gaster and Gerry Stacey brought the spirit of Bethlehem to Itchen Valley this evening as we held a carol service by torchlight in Grace’s Barn thanks to the kind generosity of the Gray family.

We sang carols, had a reading from Will Hall and prayers were led by Tony and Gerry.  Tony reminded us of the plight of the modern day residents of Bethlehem as the Government of Israel builds a wall around the West Bank.

There must have been about 140 of us in the barn which is part of a working farm and had a real sense of Christmas night to it.  Our parking was marshalled by Patrick Appleby whose hi-vis jacket would, I am sure, have been very useful in the first century for directing the traffic of kings, camels, shepherds, sheep, donkeys and angels around the stable in which Jesus was born.

Thank you so much to Robert Hall and Patrick Appleby for arranging the lights and amplification and Charlotte for the wonderful mulled wine and mince pies afterwards.  Thank you to Tony and Gerry for organising it all.

What a great way to start the Christmas season!

Revd Alex Pease