Service of Christmas Carols and Readings 2026

The Ballylone Concert Flute Ensemble were our guest musicians at the annual afternoon Carol Service in the church sanctuary. They were joined by the church Choir, Ladies and men’s group who all contributed to the programme. Members of the congregation read scripture portions of the Christmas story. Rev Victor Neill led the service and gave a short message entitled “Putting Christ back into Christmas” saying so many today have deliberately chosen to ignore “The Reason for the Season”.

Here, in brief are the main points of the message:

“Many folks want a reason to celebrate but don’t want Christ to be the reason! BUT if we remove Christ from Christmas, what are we left with? M-A-S. What do these three letters mean? I suggest, meaningless and secular. Simply a reason to party with no mention of Christ. Let me put the proper focus in Christmas. I am taking the word Christ to make an acrostic with each letter of His name telling us something about who Christ really is and why He should be the main focus of Christmas.

C is for CROWN

Christ is crowned in scriptures; He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Rev 19 v 16) One day He will return when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Phil 2 V 10- 11).

H is for HOLY

Let us not forget that Christ was “absolutely holy” without sin and clearly different from any other person in all of humanity (Acts 3 v 24)

R stands for REDEEMER

Redeemer being the one who would pay the debt of another -and so that includes everyone present here today. “What a Redeemer He is!”

I stands for INCOMPARABLE

There is absolutely no other founder of a world religion that can come anywhere close to Christ. Look at Christ, examine His life and you will find no flaws. (1st Peter 2 v 22).

S stands for SECURITY

We have an eternal security in Christ when we repent and put our trust in Him, the one who paid the debt of our sin. (John 10 v 28).

T is for TASK

When we trust Christ and surrender to Him, we have the task of telling others, it is a great privilege. The apostle Paul says we are ambassadors for Christ (2nd Cor 5 v19).

“What I have been saying today, hopefully helps you to understand why Christmas should be focused on Christ. One of our Carols brings a challenge. Today He (Christ) is seeking a place in your heart, will you still say no room? I earnestly plead that your response would be “O Lord in my heart there’s a welcome for Thee”.

An offering was collected on behalf of Alzheimer’s Society N.I,

A small surprise gift was given to each member of the congregation and seasonal refreshments were enjoyed by all at the conclusion of the service.