CHRISTMAS SERVICE AT ST MARY'S CHURCH, BEIGHTON (c.1989) film no: 4415

This is a film of a special Christmas Service at St Mary's Church, Beighton, with activities for children. Among the activities are carol singing, recitals and a nativity play.

The film opens with a picture of a candle in a decorated orange with four sticks. The vicar, the Revd. Alan Richards, addresses the congregation, including many children, from the front of the church. He outlines the day's events, including a play with music composed by the organist Mrs Sylvia Heppel. They stand for the first prayer read out by the vicar's wife, Rosemary Richards, followed by a children's choir singing a carol (accompanied by Ken). Then follows recitals, the singing of 'Little Donkey', children playing hand bells, ('We Three Kings'), two girls playing clarinets, more carol singing, more recitals, and a performance of a nativity play.

The vicar makes various announcements for Christmas. He also explains what the candle in the orange represents: the orange represents the world, and the sultanas sticking from the orange represent the four seasons and the fruits of the earth. The candle stands for Jesus as the light of the world, and the red band is there to remind us that Jesus died for us. These candles are then passed around the congregation, so that all have a lighted candle. The lights are then turned out and a girl sings 'Silent Night' from the front before everyone else joins in. Afterwards the vicar ends with the blessing, followed by parents taking photos of their children in the play. The film then finishes with an image of the candle in the orange.