Alba Brass giving the musical support from a little gazebo

The season of joyful anticipation continued on 1 December with the blessing of the crib in George Square, organised by the City Council together with Glasgow Churches Together (GCT).  The weather was reasonable and the crowd enthusiastic.

Alba Brass set the tone with Christmas carols as we waited for the Lord Provost, church dignitaries and other representatives to come in procession from the City Chambers (which looked fantastic with its façade illuminated with changing colours).  Children from St Anne’s Primary School Choir provided the musical lead for the singing.

Lord Provost Philip Braat welcomed everyone to the celebration, saying how wonderful it was to see people in person again, and inviting people to sing along with the choir and the brass ensemble.

St Anne’s children leading the singing

Canon David Wallace read the story, from St Luke’s Gospel, of the shepherds going to Bethlehem to see the Christ child, and the children sang Silent Night.  The crib was then blessed by the church representatives present, led by Bishop Kevin Pearson

Then there were prayers for the city and citizens of Glasgow, for peace, for those affected by poverty and homelessness, concluding with a prayer that Glasgow might be a generous and peaceful city, and the saying of the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing for those present.

St Anne’s Primary School choir then treated us to a beautiful rendering of the much loved carol O holy Night before concluding the service with the cheering  We wish You a Merry Christmas.   They may not have received figgy pudding but their efforts were rewarded with sweets .  It was a beautiful start to the Advent preparations.

 

Teh City Chambers resplendent in colour