The 50th Christmas Carol Service was held at the Holy Trinity Church, Dubai on Saturday, 7th December 2024 at 6.15 pm. The theme of this year's Carol service was "Prince of peace". It was an occasion of thanksgiving, reminiscing the first Christmas Carol held at the Women's Society Hall on December 17th, 1975. Few of the former choir members attended the service, along with our first choir master Mr. J. E. Mathew (Cuckoochayan), which made the evening special.
The Church Choir and the Junior Choir under the leadership of Mr.Juby Abraham (Choir Master) and Mr. Jino Mathew Joy (Assistant Choir Master), sang a selection of English and Malayalam carols, which were a mix of classics, old favourites and contemporary compositions. The Church Choir sang "Behold! in lowly manger stall", Adeste fideles", Go down to the river", "Neeharam choodum", "Bolingo", "Annoru sundara raavil", and "For unto us a child is born". The Church choir also rendered the song "Aarppiduvin ghoshippin" composed by Mr. J. E. Mathew (Cuckoochayan), our former choir master. The junior choir sang two songs, viz. "Veliicherumuthukal" and "Can you imagine that marvelous moment". "Alegria" sung by the male voices and "Up above my head", sung by the female voices were enjoyed by the audience. The former choir members sang the carol "Paaridom mangalam geethiyal", conducted by Cuckoochayan (which was also arranged by him). The finale was the popular ancient carol "Silent Night! Holy Night!" sung as mass choir including the church choir, old choir members, and the junior choir along with the congregation, and conducted by Cuckoochayan.
Rev. Stephen Marian, Presbyter in charge, CNI St. Paul's Tamil Church, Sharjah, gave the message during the Carol Service with reference to the verse "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6). Achen mentioned that God, through Christ, made peace with us. Christ is the mediator who connects us to God. The first christmas was a time of chaos and anxiety, with no place for the saviour to be born. It was not literally a "Silent night" as mentioned in the popular carol song. Fanny J. Crosby, the famous 19th century prolific hymnist, who wrote more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs is the perfect example of experiening peace journeying with Christ, which helped her glorify God, in the midst of chaos. In spite of her blindness, she experienced God in the valley of darkness and was strengthened in Christ. In times of brokenness, Christ journeys with us. In the midst of ravaging storms, we are not alone, but the prince of peace is with us. It is the affirmation of our faith, that we are safe in Christ. "Maranatha" (Come Lord) in the midst of daily struggles and be with us. Let this be our prayer, this Christmas. There was peace on earth, as Christ, the prince was born!
Rev. Prem Mithra, Chaplain, Holy Trinity Church, in his felicitation message congratulated the choir on its Golden jubilee. He mentioned that the theme "prince of peace" is apt in the contemporary world where we need to pray for peace. Though we feel insignificant, God promises us to give peace, as the angels sang in Luke 2:14 (“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”) to the lowly shepherds. This is also the theme of the ancient carol "Hark! the herald angels sing". Let us pray for peace within us, share peace with our fellow beings and let peace rest in this land and all the world.
Mr. J. E. Mathew (Cuckoochayan), former choir master and Mr. Mathew Varghese, founder choir member, were honoured by presenting them with mementos. Mr. Ruben Mathew, son of Mr. Mathew Philip, former choir master received the memento on the latter's behalf. Ms. Krupa Sara Thomas was awarded the prize for the best logo design for the Golden Jubilee of the Choir.
Cuckoochayan, in his reply speech, recollected his long years of experiences with the choir till 2006, when he retired and left Dubai. He reminded the choir that there is only one thing we can do to be fruitful, pray...pray and pray, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:7 ("So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.")
The choir was accompanied by our Organists - Pratish Alex Pothen, Jithin George Abraham, Anil Idicula Mathew, Joshua Juby Abraham, Johan Melvin, Megha Liza George; Guitarist - Sunish K. Simon; Violinists - David Anush and Eva Angel Philip; and Percussionists - Joseph Koruthu (Bongos), Melvin Godfrey (Djembe) and Amrith Koshy Eapen (Cajon).
At the beginning of the carol service, the tone was set for the event with organ recitals by Shreya Sara Saji, Amy Sarah Juby, Dayne Varghese Albin, Irene Mariam Eapen, and Irene Grace Shibu which was coordinated by Jithin George Abraham.
The narration for the Carol Service was done by Mr. Mathew Jacob and Mrs. Anjana Achamma John. Mr. Eapen K. George (Choir Secretary) delivered the Vote of thanks.
Rev. Raju Jacob, our Vicar, along with Rev. Biju Kunjummen (Vicar, CSI Parish Abu Dhabi), Rev. Charles Mathew Jeril (Vicar, CSI Parish Jebel Ali) and Rev. Bright Mohan (Vicar, CSI Dubai-SKD) led the prayers.
This year's carol service was a blessed time for our parish members as well as our guests from sister parishes in UAE.
Highlights of the service are available in the Photo Gallery : https://www.csidubai.com/gallery/71/christmas-carol-service-2024