Growing up in Africa our Christmases were way different from the festive fare that I have now become accustomed to. Apart from the odd paper snowflake motifs, I’ve never been into craft making. Yes, I’m that member of the household who quickly changes the channel when an episode of Kirstie Allsopp’s ‘Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas’ comes on the telly. However, this year I had resolved to learn new skills and meet new people. That’s how I became one of the first to sign up for a ticket to the Christmas centrepiece-making event at St Mary’s.
Having missed events in previous years like the Gingerbread evening, I was not sure what to expect. Would there be lots of people? Would I know anyone there? More importantly would I enjoy this experience? I needn’t have worried as from the moment I turned up, I felt well looked after. This event was a well-oiled machine! I was greeted at the door and was accompanied into the perfectly set up church with tables adorned with craft materials and an example centrepiece. The welcome team wanted to make sure I sat with someone I knew or someone with whom I could build some rapport. I was reminded to help myself to the drinks and nibbles. The mulled wine, non-alcoholic punches and festive biscuits were in abundance.
After an official welcome by Rachel Meynell, we received instructions for our first craft, a yarn pompom ball, from the event organiser Debra Jonkers. We set about working using our nifty pompom makers. Who knew that invention had evolved from the use of cardboard cutouts? Almost immediately a wave of ‘helpers’ were floating around the tables to offer assistance. Talk about efficiency and attention to detail! I finished mine quickly then took the opportunity to flit around the other tables. One table had more visitors than regulars. Divya had managed to invite not one but four guests to the event. They were having a lot of fun on their table crafting and moaning about the blunt scissors.
We reassembled to listen to the carol ‘O Holy Night’ sung by Jess Lehane with accompaniment by Miram Croft on piano, Liz Hayward on violin and Val Whetton on PA. The carol was chosen by Lousie Drake who gave a talk on the theme of hope at Christmas, inspired by the phrase “a thrill of hope.” In a world marked by global crises, personal struggles, and widespread weariness, people long for hope but often struggle to sustain it. Human forms of hope – optimism, activism, future generations, or strong leaders – are limited and fragile, and history shows that misplaced hope in human power can lead to harm.
Against this backdrop, the Christian message offers a different kind of hope rooted in the birth of Jesus. The baby born in a humble manger represents true strength on a radically different scale. Jesus grows to claim divine authority, to embody truth and life, and to promise ultimate justice. These claims are confirmed by eyewitness testimony to his life, death, and resurrection.
This strength is inseparable from extraordinary kindness. God enters human history in love, sharing human vulnerability. Jesus associates with the broken and rejected and ultimately gives his life on the cross to meet humanity’s deepest need: forgiveness and restored relationship with God. This grace is offered freely to all who trust him, along with God’s presence now and the promise of eternal life.
As John’s gospel declares, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, full of grace and truth.” This union of divine strength and sacrificial love is why the birth of Jesus truly represents a “thrill of hope” for a weary world.
The second half of the evening saw us building the main centrepiece using all types of foliage, ribbons and ornaments. Some were more creative than others, but it didn’t matter as we were having fun and getting to know each other. As the evening rolled on, our mulled wine glasses were refilled, we ate the biscuits and our hearts were happy and full. I carried home a pompom maker, candles and yarn ready to share my newly acquired skills with my niece and nephew.
Would I do this again? Absolutely yes! Would I recommend others to participate? Definitely. It’s a great opportunity to come, even if you have no one to invite, use it as an opportunity to learn a skill, meet new friends and have an evening out with your church family.
My sincerest thanks to the organisers and all those who helped making this evening a huge success. Hope to see you at the next event.