Christmas celebrations at Guildford Cathedral & the School Chapel

The Senior School attended Guildford Cathedral for our annual Carol Service. The choir was on top form, filling the cathedral with magnificent sound under the keen direction of Mr Carnegie, and underlined with Mr Osgood’s masterful performance on the new organ.  With large screens in place to bring the service to every seat and the choir singing from both front and back the service brought everyone together.

Revd Canon Dr Julie Gittoes opened and closed the service on behalf of the Cathedral Chapter, but one of the highlights came as the Chaplain spoke about the Peace of Christmas in Jesus Christ. Having illustrated it with the Christmas truces of WWI the sounds of ‘Silent Night’ unexpectedly wound their way through the aisles. As the original German words gave way to the English version we are more familiar with, a pupil dressed in WWI German uniform approached his English counterpart from the opposite end of the Cathedral.  Meeting in front of the chancel, they shook hands as the singing faded and more than a few moist eyes bore witness to the moving tribute. 

It was with great warmth of feeling that The Close had its carol service in the School Chapel. The choir amazed with a range of up-tempo modern pieces but also managed to breathe life into familiar carols such as ‘Away in a Manger’. Millie Stokes was the stand-out soloist among a field of remarkable singers.  Parents and relatives sung favourite carols with great enthusiasm which conveyed the theme of Peace for Christmas, before staying for mulled wine and minced pies.  The Chaplain spoke about God’s peace at Christmas being the gift in Jesus Christ which surpasses and inspires all others.