The 49th Christmas Carol Service was held at the Holy Trinity Church, Dubai on Saturday, 9th December 2023 at 6.30 pm. The theme of this year's Carol service was "Great Gift of love".
The Church Choir and the Junior Choir under the leadership of Mr.Juby K. Abraham (Choir Master) and Mr.Jino Mathew Joy (Assistant Choir Master), sang a selection of English and Malayalam carols, with traditional and modern elements, including " Child in the manger", "This is Christmas", "Athbhutham athbhutham swargam thurannu", " Keep your lamps trimmed and burning", "Walk to Bethlehem", "Yahweh, Hear Our Pleas", "Sthuthi sthuthi", "Bonse Aba", "Immanuel Jaathenaayi", "Good King Wenceslas", “Oru navagaanam paadunnu" and "All we like sheep have gone astray". The service ended, as is the tradition, with the congregation joining the Choir in singing the popular ancient carol "Silent Night! Holy Night!"
Rev. Eldho Paul, Vicar, St. Thomas Evangelical Church, Dubai gave the message during the Carol Service with reference to the verse "The grace of our Lord was poured out ....(1 Timothy 1:14)". Achen mentioned that the grace of God, helps sustain us in this imperfect world. The story of Mary hurrying to a town in the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth (Luke 1:39) reminds us to examine whether our walk, talk and interactions with others are holy. This is what is expected of us, as we celebrate Christmas this year.
The choir was accompanied by our Organists - Pratish Alex Pothen, Jithin George Abraham, Anil Idicula Mathew, David Anush, Joshua Juby Abraham, Reuben Reji Thomas, Sangeeth Koshy, Johan Melvin, Megha Liza George, Shreya Sara Saji, Dayne Varghese Albin and Amy Sarah Juby; Violinists - David Anush & Eva Angel Philip and Percussionist - Joseph Koruthu.
The narration for the Carol Service was done by Ms. Edna Lis Libini. Mr. Aby John (Church Secretary) gave the Welcome speech and Mr. Anil Idicula Mathew (Choir Secretary) delivered the Vote of Thanks.
Rev. Raju Jacob, our Vicar, along with Rev. Charles Mathew Jeril (Vicar, CSI Parish Jebel Ali) and Rev. Sunilraj Philip (Vicar, CSI Parish Sharjah) led the prayers.
Highlights of the service are available in the Photo Gallery : https://csidubai.com/gallery/56/carol-service-2023