The year is 1869. It’s Christmas Eve.

There is excitement in the Glen.

This first Christmas Eve celebration is well described in following paragraphs from Margaret Cook‘s book Land Possessed, which was recently republished by Les Sentiers de Gore.

” At last, at seven-fifteen, the Reverend Gerald Talbot appeared
before the curtain and began to speak. “Men and women of the Gore, we are about to have the first Christian celebration of Christmas Eve in the Glen.” The men shuffled their feet a little. They were well aware that there had been Christmas Eves more distinguished for alcoholic revellings than for Christian observances.

Some thought of these with longing regret, others with some shame. But the Reverend Gerald, having planted his barb, was content to leave it to do its own festering. “We have met here to be reminded through the voices of our children, and of our men also, of the first Christmas. To that end I shall read to you the story of that night, as told by Saint Luke.” And he began in his deep, resonant voice, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went a decree…” and so on with the familiar words. The people were quiet, out of respect for their reader, and a few kept and treasured the words in their hearts.”

And later.

” After the service, the people gathered round the pastor to shake his hand. He wasn’t a bad sort, and although he had not preached, it was generally agreed that the service had been good. They trailed off down the snowy paths, calling “Merry Christmas” to each other in their soft, lilting voices… And so Christmas came to the Glen. Later in the day, there was modest feasting and moderate drinking, and the poor presents that were all the settlement could afford were exchanged. But to the twenty who had assembled that morning at the church, Christmas was the moment when they had heard the voice of their priest. “

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We live in very different times and our challenges are of another order. You all know where they originate. But that should be an opportunity to reinforce our fundamental values of love, respect, compassion, empathy, integrity, and justice.

Our thoughts should also go the Ukrainian people who are going though one of the most difficult and challenging times of their history.

Again this year, as per our tradition, we will be celebrating Christmas at St.Paul’s.

2025 CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

A Family Service at 4:00 PM with Paul Logothetis and Sharon Leslie.
A Prayer service at 8:00 PM with Hugh Mitchell with the Dunany Glee Club.

We hope many of you will be in attendance.

The members of the board of directors of the DCA, Alex, Bonnie, Marina, Daniel, Johanne, Lynn, André, Trudy and I take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas as well as a peaceful and healthy New Year.