A Churchwarden writes ....Christmas is coming, but Advent comes first

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This weekend marks the start of a new year for St Mary's as Advent begins.

It's officially the first season of the Church year leading up to Christmas, which by the way doesn't begin until December 25 and then continues for several more weeks.

If you've never been to our candlelit Advent Carol Service before, then please do consider coming at 630pm on Sunday, it's a lovely way to start the countdown to Christmas.

Expect a very atmospheric hour of readings, anthems & seasonal hymns with St Mary's famous choir.

The style is similar to the traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, usually broadcast from King's College Chapel on Christmas Eve (we hold our own version here too).

The Choir begins singing in a darkened Church, followed by a procession, as has been done from medieval times, with candles brought alongside so the singers can read their music.

The feast of music includes carols by living composers such as Alan Bullard and Cecilia McDowell as well as by the American composer Carson Cooman, with a virtuoso organ accompaniment to be played by 17-year-old organ scholar James Watson.

No need to book in advance, and the service will also be livestreamed via St Mary's dedicated Youtube channel (www.youtube.com/c/stmaryshitchin)

On Sunday morning the first candle on our Advent Ring, or Crown, will be lit.

The use of the wreath and candles during Advent is another longstanding tradition observed since St Mary's was built.

They are full of symbolism tied to the season.

The wreath itself, made of various evergreens, signifies continuous life.

The circle form, which has no beginning or end, stands for the eternity of God and the immortality of the soul.

The candles also have their own special significance.

They represent the four weeks of Advent, and one candle is lit each Sunday morning.

In some Christian traditions they signify Love, Hope, Peace and Joy. In other traditions they remind us of God's People, the Prophets, John the Baptist and Mary the Mother of God.

Three candles are purple because the colour violet signifies a time of prayer, penance and sacrifice, and one is pink or rose.

This candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, known as 'Gaudete' or 'Rose' Sunday.

The white central candle is a reminder of the Light of Christ, called the "Christ Candle".

Representing his life, it is finally lit on Christmas Eve. Pure white is also symbolic of the baby Jesus, and is the reason all the flowers in Church will also be white at Christmas.

We hope you will enjoy seeing the Advent ring this year if you are able to visit St Mary's in person, or follow our weekly livestreams to see it being lit on the Sundays of Advent.

Our talented flower arranger, Margaret, is responsible for creating the wreath, and she will also be dressing our tree in a few weeks' time.

Hitchinites will be excited to hear that there will be a large fir tree back in place in front of Trinity chapel, a rival for the one in the square.

It is truly one of the unmissable sights of the year.

You can't stop the music at St Mary's at this time of year.

After our barnstorming Proms Concert last weekend and a beautiful song recital on Wednesday night, Saturday sees the return of Hitchin Symphony Orchestra at 730pm.

We hope to be able to continue our programme of musical events each Saturday.

Next week Hitchin Band's sell-out Snowman shows are on Saturday, December 4 while North Herts Guild of Singers hold their Christmas concert on Sunday, December 12.

St Mary's Choir's free lunchtime concert and Hitchin

Chamber Orchestra's shows are both performed on December18. (Check the Events page for details).. Next week....Christingle and giant oranges... Further details of our services and events are found on our public Facebook page @StMarysChurchHitchin www.stmaryshitchin.co.uk/