When I was younger school was always a busy time leading up to Christmas with lots of rehearsals and new songs for us to learn. At Infant school there would be an annual Christmas Fair in the school hall to raise money. We would have a Christmas Party when Santa would arrive with parcels for us all. There would be Christmas Lunch served in the canteen with Christmas music ringing out over the usual chatter. I can remember us being allowed to make hats to wear. At Junior School there would be a concert for the parents to attend and each class would put on a mini play of some kind. The last day of term at junior school we would be allowed to take a toy or game to play with in the classroom.
The Sunday morning Church service before Christmas was always a Family Service when the Sunday School Children always put on a Nativity Play, Mary in the traditional Blue Dress that would come out every year and Joseph and the shepherds with their heads covered in tea towels. We would always sing some Christmas carols to the delight of our proud parents, for some of whom, I might add, this was the only time of the year they would venture through the church door.
Sunday evening service that weekend was the only time my Family would go to an evening service as this would be our annual Carols by Candlelight. The Baptist Church we went to had high windows along each side of the building which would have chunky logs placed on the sills with thick white candles along each one which would be flickering in each window as we approached the building making it the beginning of a magical time. The following hour would be filled with the singing of Carols and listening to Bible readings telling us all of the special story, that has called many to the Christian faith over the centuries, of the birth of Gods own Son. After the service a time of fellowship, the distribution of Christmas cards while hot tea and mince pies were served to all.
When I think back to the Christmases of my childhood I remember the joy of stretching out my toes and finding a stocking on my bed first thing on Christmas morning. Running into my parent’s room, diving onto their bed, armed with gifts for them and my younger sister. Dad would go down to light the oven to put in the sausage rolls to heat up for our breakfast. We would call down from upstairs to Mum and Dad, as they struggled to get the turkey into the oven, “Has he been!!”
Downstairs in the lounge either side of the tree would be two sacks bulging with parcels left by Santa. My sister and I
The Sunday morning Church service before Christmas was always a Family Service when the Sunday School Children always put on a Nativity Play, Mary in the traditional Blue Dress that would come out every year and Joseph and the shepherds with their heads covered in tea towels. We would always sing some Christmas carols to the delight of our proud parents, for some of whom, I might add, this was the only time of the year they would venture through the church door.
Sunday evening service that weekend was the only time my Family would go to an evening service as this would be our annual Carols by Candlelight. The Baptist Church we went to had high windows along each side of the building which would have chunky logs placed on the sills with thick white candles along each one which would be flickering in each window as we approached the building making it the beginning of a magical time. The following hour would be filled with the singing of Carols and listening to Bible readings telling us all of the special story, that has called many to the Christian faith over the centuries, of the birth of Gods own Son. After the service a time of fellowship, the distribution of Christmas cards while hot tea and mince pies were served to all.
When I think back to the Christmases of my childhood I remember the joy of stretching out my toes and finding a stocking on my bed first thing on Christmas morning. Running into my parent’s room, diving onto their bed, armed with gifts for them and my younger sister. Dad would go down to light the oven to put in the sausage rolls to heat up for our breakfast. We would call down from upstairs to Mum and Dad, as they struggled to get the turkey into the oven, “Has he been!!”
Downstairs in the lounge either side of the tree would be two sacks bulging with parcels left by Santa. My sister and I
would attack the sacks with gusto and soon the lounge floor would be covered with discarded paper and opened toys as we hastily went on to the next gift. My sister always finished opening hers first while as I was that little bit older would take a little bit more time.
The morning would be filled with the bustle of the Christmas lunch being prepared, new LP records being played on the stereo in the lounge, baths for us and the excitement of putting on our new Christmas outfits. The dining table would be carried into the lounge and Mum would place her own homemade table decoration in the centre. Dad always went to collect Grandad who, as he was on his own, would always come to ours to spend Christmas day with us.
We always sat down for lunch just as the Queens Speech came onto the TV. After lunch Dad would make his “funny coffees” and He and Grandad would always do the washing up the two of them could have their father and son chats. There would always be a Film, Disney time and of course what Christmas would be complete without Morecambe and Wise.
