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Christmas tree welcomes with bright lights

Puppets at the ready

Sparkly angel

Dad collects Isobel with prize.

While Joan talks to Aulay

Zornitca collects her prize from Katrina. 

Jackie Ringan tells the story. 

Hope4Penicuik Christmas Carols - 12 December 


Penicuik town hall was full on Friday 12 December for the annual Hope4Penicuik Christmas carol event. The Silver band led the singing with some new carols, written by children from across Penicuik.  The Penicuik Puppets were also on hand to illustrate the Christmas story.

Joan Cape led the event and welcomed everyone, especially the children who, she added, did not have to sit still all the time. Just as well as some became quite excited and wanted to join in the fun. She also welcomed the Penicuik Puppets, suitable dressed with tinsel halo's and looking very angelic.

The silver band struck up a couple of good traditional carols,  'Hark the Herald', and 'Angels from the Realms of Glory' to get us into the Christmas spirit.  The Puppets, operated by some of the senior Primary 7 girls, encouraged the singing. Occasionally a few sheep and donkeys would join the angels. Who ever heard of singing sheep and donkeys?

We then had a visit from a rather well dressed angel, complete with wings, rather sparkly dress, and fantastic make up with bright red lips. You could tell she was someone senior, with the imposing spectacles and the pure white hair. Asked by Joan what she wanted, she replied 'To let people see what an Angel looks like', and why they are so important to the Christmas story.

This led us into a video of the Christmas story but played out in our time now. Joan then introduced the next set of carols, this time illustrated by children from across Penicuik who had been working on illustrating their favourite carols as part of their school preparations for Christmas. 

First we sang 'Away in a Manger', then  'Hope for Christmas', written specially by 9 year olds Jasmine Black and Naimh Allan,and set to music written by Graham McDonald and played by Graham and son Sam on the Cajon, a type of drum originating from Peru. We finished off the singing with 'It was on a Starry Night'.

Each of the three carols were illustrated with drawings by the children. After the singing each of the artists were given presented with a prize by Katrina McDonald, Isobel age 4,  Luke from P1, Samuel and Orlaith, both age 5, Sophie, 7, Zornitca 9,  Tjay 9, Rosea  7,  Aulay 4,  Darren 5,  Isla 5, and Joshua age 6. All the framed pictures were available to view in the entrance foyer as well.

We sang 'An angel sent from Heaven' written by 10 year old Tom Buxton and music composed by Graham McDonald, completed at 11.00pm the previous night!  We continued with  'It was on a starry night' followed by   'O little town of Bethlehem'  with yet more drawings to see.  

Jackie Ringan from the Scripture Union then related the Christmas story, building on the video we saw earlier. Some of the children helped by reading and holding key parts of the story on story boards for the audience to see.

Time for another budding songwriter, this time 8 year old Beth Hudson with her Christmas carol, 'O star O star so bright'.

After a closing prayer we quietly sang 'Silent Night' and for those wishing more 'O come all ye faithful', both led by the Penicuik Silver Band, assisted by the Penicuik puppets jazz players.

Well done to Hope4Penicuik team for  a great evening of praise, story telling, and prayer, reminding us of the coming of the birth of Jesus, and the true meaning of Christmas.  
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Thanks to all who supported the event and have a happy Christmas. For all the Christmas events click HERE