From Rev Iain Baxter, All Saints Chiang Mai
Dear Friends,
Every year on Christmas night my Grannie would say sadly, “It’s as far away as ever!” My family loved Christmas, and still do, and that phrase has become a family tradition.
Well, the Christmas season is not over yet, but we have had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and what wonderful days they were at All Saints this year!
Christmas Eve began with ten of us driving up to the Youth Charity Foundation orphanage in Doi Saket, to deliver Christmas presents and hand over the money raised at our Festival of Carols. Thanks to all who contributed towards the gifts for the children, and special thanks to the Chase family who bought and individually wrapped more than forty presents!
The Children after they had received their gifts!
One of the youngest!
…and one of the older ones!
A moving new video, in Thai with English subtitles, about the work of the Youth Charity Foundation can be viewed here.
Then later that night, we gathered at All Saints for Midnight Mass. The church looked stunning as we welcomed the Christ-Child and celebrated the first mass of Christmas!
All ready for worship!
Holy Communion by Candle Light
Then, less than twelve hours later, we were back at the church for our Christmas Day service. This was attended by over fifty people, and at all three of our Christmas services the music was led magnificently by Robert Rose on our organ. He and his wife, Jean, were visiting from Doha! Many, many, thanks to them.
I shall try to upload the video of the services as soon as possible!
Christmas Morning Worship!
Then, following the service, forty of us sat down to a magnificent Christmas lunch – it was the best yet – turkey and all the trimmings, including roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings, followed by Christmas pudding, apple pie, and ginger cookies! Thanks to all who worked so hard to make this a success: to Emily, Ken, Pamela, Pat, Julia, Nate, Elena, David, Helga, and so many more!
All ready for Christmas Lunch!
Mashed and roasted potatoes and Yorkshire Puddings!
A wonderful sit-down meal!
New friends together!
The Christmas season continues, and our readings this Christmas Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Advent, will be 1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26, Colossians 3:12-17, and Luke 2:41-52, and we will be singing the carols O Come All Ye Faithful, Angels We have Heard on High, Cradled in a Manger Meanly, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Good Christian Friends Rejoice, and Joy to the World!
Past services, including highlights of our Festival of Carols, and sermons can be viewed via the All Saints audio-visual page!
If you don’t know the way to All Saints, directions can be found on the Where and When page.
New Year’s Eve
Everyone is warmly invited to the Vicarage for New Year’s Eve. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. Bring food and drink to share and stay for as long or as short a time as you like! Call 0 904 604 304 for directions!
Most people get to hear about us via the internet or by word of mouth, so please feel free to pass on this email to others. All are welcome to join us as we celebrate the Christ of Christmas! We hope to see you soon and that you will enjoy worshiping with us,
God bless,
Iain
All Saints' Chiang Mai 