A goodly crowd for the blessing of the crib

It wasn’t the brightest of evenings for the annual blessing of the Crib this year in Glasgow but the rain stayed off for most of it and the surrounding Christmas lights and music and cheerful crowds provided a lovely atmosphere for the service.

The music was led by regular stalwarts Alba Brass, with the school children this year coming from the Glasgow Gaelic Primary School. This added a new dimension as the first verse of the carols was sung in Gaelic by the children. Deputy Lord Provost Philip Braat welcomed everyone to the celebration which, he said, keeps growing in popularity, and he invited all present to join with the children in singing the carols, to put ourselves in the mood for Christmas.

The Gospel reading was proclaimed by Archbishop Tartaglia and the Blessing of the Crib was led by Rev Mark Johnstone, minister of Glasgow Cathedral. Rev Chris Foxon, chair of Glasgow Churches Together, and other church representatives read the intercessions for the city council and citizens of Glasgow, for peace in our community, for the poor and homeless, and for peace in our world.

The short service ended with the praying of the Our Father, a blessing from the church representatives and the happy singing of “We wish you a merry Christmas”.