Thanks be to whom? …
Where should we start when thanking people for the Community Carol Concert at Castlehill Parish Church, Ayr, on the 12th of December 2010?
Perhaps with Liz Crumlish, Minister of Castlehill, for allowing us to use the venue for a second Christmas, and, as she commented herself, recognise that we have now created a Christmas tradition?
Or the Ayr Community Gospel Choir and its leader Bobby Irvine who, over a three month period, have rehearsed on a Thursday night in order to prepare for the carol concert? They presented a wide variety of songs from ”Joy to the world” to “Christmas song” and “Christmas Wonderland” to ”Praise his Holy Name”.
Or perhaps with Marjory Watson, the guest soloist for the evening. Her outstanding talent provided us with a number of fantastic solos, among them, "It's the most wonderful time of the year", "Emmanuel", "They followed His star", and "Mary did you know"?
On the other hand, we could begin by thanking the Riverside Church Praise Band for leading the Community Carol Singing; or Alistair Simmons, pastor of Riverside Evangelical Church, who reminded us that Christ was set into the world on a Divine rescue mission – to save sinners; illustrating this message with the rescue from above of the Chilean Miners.
Let us not forget the Drama group, who brought two amusing, but thought provoking presentations; first, auditions for the heavenly Choir, and secondly, a play that reminded us that we can get so caught up in the Christmas tinsel and trimmings that its often difficult to find Jesus in the midst of our celebrations.
Or do we just say that as a community we came together and had a wonderful time singing and being reminded of Christmas, and as a community donated over £900 to Hansel Village.
However you like to put it, thanks be to God for a blessed evening singing His praises and celebrating the story of the Babe of Bethlehem – born to be our Saviour and Lord.
God has richly blessed us again this Christmas season.
Robin Black
