This article was written for inclusion in the December 2025 issue of our parish magazine. In mid-December 2024 Rev Christine cam to me with a suggestion of a new anthem for Christmas – “but not this Christmas”, she said, “it’s far too short notice!” I found the sheet music, loved it, checked with Tom, and … More Thorns In the Straw Graham Kendrick (1950-present)
Today is the last day of Advent, and the last day of this year’s Digital Advent Calendar. We mark the occaision with our choir singing the Christmas ‘banger’ “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”, followed by Carol and Tom with “The Christmas Song”. We end today with “While Shepherds Watched” – but not quite as you … More Digital Advent Calendar 2025 day 24
Every day throughout Advent we are pleased to offer you a little Advent treat or two. Today our choir sings for us a medley of Christmas classics, arranged especially for us by Carol and Tom. Joan E then reads a short poem by Mary Jac, and we finish with an utterly sublime rendition of “Carol … More Digital Advent Calendar 2025 day 23
Every day throughout Advent we are pleased to offer you a little Advent treat or two. Today we begin with the glorious Christmas carol “O Holy Night” sung by Carol, Jennifer and Tom. This is followed by our ALM Carol O reading “Starburt – a Cosmic Story”, and then Carol and Tom sing for us … More Digital Advent Calendar 2025 day 22
Every day throughout Advent we are pleased to offer you a little Advent treat or two. Today our music ensembles start us with the lively “Sussex Carol”, Rev Sue reads for us “To Wish You Well”, and Carol and Tom end with “Let it Snow”. St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL … More Digital Advent Calendar 2025 day 21
Every day throughout Advent we are pleased to offer you a little Advent treat or two. Today Rev Sue reads for us Rachel Mann’s reflection on “The Villager”. Tom and Carol then sing for us “King Jesus Hath and Peter ends with a lovely story about Munch the sheepdog being ousted from his cosy bed … More Digital Advent Calendar 2025 day 20
Every day throughout Advent we are pleased to offer you a little Advent treat or two. Today we are once again joined by the Key Stage 2 Choir of St Margaret’s CE Primary School, this time singing “Christmas Bells”. This is followed by the parish Choir singing “One Winter’s Night”, and finally Tom and Carol … More Digital Advent Calendar 2025 day 19
Every day throughout Advent we are pleased to offer you a little Advent treat or two. Today Tom and Carol sing for us Graham Kendrick’s “Thorns in the Straw”, recorded here during the 2025 Christmas morning service at St George’s, Simister. Michael Knaggs reads for us “A Christmas Star”, written especially for us by his … More Digital Advent Calendar 2025 day 18
Every day throughout Advent we are pleased to offer you a little Advent treat or two. Today we have Tom and Carol with “While Shepherds Watched”, Michael Knaggs reading “Candles Banish Darkness”, by his brother Geoff, and tom and Carol end today’s set with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds … More Digital Advent Calendar 2025 day 17
Every day throughout Advent we are pleased to offer you a little Advent treat or two. Today we are delighted to be joined again by St Margaret’s CE Primary School Key Stage 2 Choir singing the “Angels from the Realms of Glory”. This is followed by ‘Other’ Tom playing a lovely jazzy version of “We … More Digital Advent Calendar 2025 day 16
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 