Meeniyan turns it on for Carols by Candlelight
TANDERRA Park in Meeniyan sprang to life as people celebrated the meaning of Christmas and raised their voices for the town’s Carols by Candlelight.
TANDERRA Park in Meeniyan sprang to life as people celebrated the meaning of Christmas and raised their voices for the town’s Carols by Candlelight.
The Meeniyan Christian Fellowship and the local Anglican Church combined to put the event together.
Tanderra Park was a change of venue, with last year’s event held in a paddock.
Harold and Judy Ball of the Christian Fellowship welcomed people as they arrived, with carol sheets at the ready and, in a reflection of the times, a sign-in sheet.
Harold said Covid and the vagaries of the weather presented a challenge in deciding whether to hold the event inside or venture out.
Fortunately, prayers were answered with cool but fine conditions ideal for a pleasant evening of singing and fellowship.
In contrast to many Carols by Candlelight events, there was a true sense of the meaning of Christmas, with prayers a part of proceedings.
Anglican Pastor Graham Knott reflected on the origins of Christmas.
“We’re all here this evening because of something that looked very small at the beginning, the birth of a baby, God’s love in human form,” he said.
Some of Thursday’s audience was little older than Jesus was on his first Christmas day.
Local Mayah Giroud was in the audience, held by dad Tom who looks forward to sharing her first Christmas after her October arrival.
Fifteen-month-old Lorriana van der Horst was also there and looked to be enjoying the evening.
The night consisted of a range of traditional carols, popular Christmas songs and a children’s story.
All too soon it was time to head home and prepare for Christmas.
Wherever next year’s Meeniyan Carols by Candlelight is held it will undoubtedly be an event to look forward to.
