St Alban’s Church in Ventnor opened its doors to all throughout the evening on Monday, celebrating the eve of Christmas with a Nativity service to bless the Crib and lay the baby Jesus in the manger.
The church remained open to everyone throughout the evening serving hot soup, mulled wine and mince pies free of charge to anyone needing a quiet place to reflect on the festivities.
To round off the evening a full Lady-chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, burst into song and prayer, singing carols in a traditional Anglo-Catholic Midnight Mass around the church Christmas tree and the Nativity scene.
With frankincense filling the church with plumes of smoke, the sweet smell of mulled wine simmering on the stove and the sound of the church bells chiming at the stroke of midnight brought a feeling of the start of Christmas to light within the community.
The services conducted by Fr. John Ryder and Deacon Corinne Smith was a great success for the Upper Ventnor Church and welcome was extended to all who attended to visit again in the near future.
St Alban’s Church will round off the festivities on Sunday 6th January 2019 with their Feast of the Epiphany – The Coming of the Three Kings, starting at 09:30. More information can be found on the church’s website www.stalbansiw.org.uk or on their Facebook page.
