Children too tired to stay up to see Santa slide down the chimney get their own ‘Christingle’ service at the 700-year-old Medieval Bow Church in London’s East End.
It starts 4pm on Christmas Eve when church elders urge the community to share the message of Christmas with youngsters.
‘Christingle’ is followed by the more-traditional Midnight Mass for those who can stay up to see in Christmas with carols and communion, starting 11.30pm, which returns to St Mary’s-at-Bow after several years.
“We hope the new services provide a way of reflecting on the meaning of Christmas,” said St Mary’s new Rector, The Rev Debbie Frazer, who was appointed earlier this year. “We want to share with the community one of the most significant festivals of the Christian calendar.”
There is also a family service on Christmas Day at 10am at the 14th century church in the middle of the Bow Road. But the Yultide run begins Friday evening (Dec 21) with Carol Singing at Bow Bells pub, lead by the new Rector.
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