Kemsing's Nine Lessons and Carols service for 2012 was a truly wonderful occasion. The whole service took place by candlelight; we had a traditional set of 9 Bible readings which told the story from when humanity first fell in the Garden of Eden up to the wonderful events of the first Christmas; we sang a number of carols together, and our specially-convened festival choir sang the items they had rehearsed.

The vicar's address focussed on 1 John 3:8 - "The Son of God appeared to destroy the devil's work". There is so much suffering in the world because we act selfishly - believing the devil's lies that God's ways are not best. Jesus was born so that he could die and rise again, giving all who trust him the chance to be forgiven and to become God's children. This means we can steadily become more like God instead - a process that will complete when Jesus returns. So it is that the purpose of Christmas was to destroy the devil's work, and to bring about the better world we all long for.

The evening finished with mulled wine and mince pies being handed out, and members of the congregation were given free copies of a book, Christmas Uncut, as they left.

Well done everyone for putting on such a good service!