Amid the hustle and bustle of the season there are hours set aside for thoughts of faith, hope, peace and goodwill toward all.
In Maidstone the annual ecumenical carol service is a time to sit and wait, but no man in a red hat appears. The event rotates from church to church and this year was hosted at the Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit.
Those gathered listen to reflections about the birth of Christ and sing along to traditional hymns of the season. This year the theme was the names of Jesus with members of the community's various congregations reading scripture passages and reflections on those names.
On a banner at the front of the church children hung the names as they were read. The entire group raised their voices as four different pianists shared their talent. The hymns included Angels We Have Heard on High, Joy to the World, Oh Holy Night and a candlelit Silent Night sung with accompaniment and then a cappella.
Choirs from the Catholic Church, the Battle River Lutheran Church and the Community Choir made up of members of several of the congregations each took their turn to share the special songs they have learned over the past couple of months.
The event ended with lunch and time to visit as kind words and smiles spread the peace shared in the quiet moments and the songs.
