Being at the cathedral is a privilege and today one of those privileges was to be the member of cathedral staff present at one of the Medway Primary Schools carol services (there are 4 in all with 9 or 10 schools at each).

My role today was to introduce each item, start with a bidding prayer and end the carol service with a blessing. The Mayor attended and so I also had to welcome and escort him and his wife to his chair.

As I sat amongst the children and saw their faces signing with delight I felt God reminded me how special this story of Christmas is. After hearing carols year after year, and the same readings, it is very easy to lose sight of what we are celebrating, what we are remembering, and what it is that we are hoping for.

The enthusiasm of the children today brought that wonder back to the Christmas story.

As a pioneer I may n ot have expected to be robing and being involved in such things – but as I was I could not help but remember what a sheer joy and privilege it was to be part of this wonderful event.