SMLT Grand Christmas Tree Festival

You might have noticed "Viral Music" have been quieter than usual. There is an excellent reason why - because I have been busy producing the St Mary le Tower online Grand Christmas Tree Festival!

Each year at the start of Advent St. Mary le Tower hosts a week-long Festival where we invite our community - both the church community and that of the town - to come together to prepare for Advent and the Christmas season. Our Advent Vigil of Light and Hope is usually the weekend during the week-long event, although this year the lockdown makes this impossible. 

One of the benefits of an online festival is that we can reach a wider audience. During 2020 live-streaming of our choral services has seen our congregation grow to include regular members from across the globe. This blog has been a part of that. Do visit our Festival blog, and perhaps give us a shout out on social media!

The music below is "O thou the central orb" by Charles Wood; sung by our church choir and recorded on the CD "A New Song", a full service of Advent.

The online Festival will feature seven "posts" or articles which will go "live" on this site at regular times during the day as follows:- 

8am A Children's Activity (preceded on Day 1 by a Welcome from midnight) 

10am Christmas Tree of the Day! 

12 noon Article on Advent aimed at adults 

2pm Afternoon activity for adults and young people, including recipes, craft and puzzles 

4pm Christmas fun and community features 

6pm Prayer for the Nation 

8pm Feature on music at St. Mary le Tower and the wider church community. 

There really is something for everyone and plenty on music! I hope it will brighten these dark winter days in lockdown. Do share with anyone you know who might benefit.