Christmas at the Church

No matter how many times Christmas has come and gone in your life, the Randolph Church caroling service continues to be magical and straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting—always changing but staying the same. 

I will forever remember our first Christmas in Randolph.  Having just moved here in the summer of 2000, our two young children were greatly anticipating a special Christmas in our new home, complete with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

It was Christmas Eve, and we were running late (of course!).  We arrived as a family to the vision of candles glowing in the windows of the little white Randolph Church.  Back then there was no heat (at least it felt lit there was no heat) so we cuddled children on our laps and snuggled into the pews next to our new neighbors to share in the Christmas spirit.

Then, as now, the moderator welcomed all, young or old, resident or visitor, and introduced the program of readings and carols.  For so many years Marie Beringer and her guitar led the children in their own singing time about Jingle Bells and Santa Claus.  Those children are now old enough to have led the caroling service themselves!  

In between readings of the Christmas story, all carols from the hymnals are fair game, except for Silent Night, which is always sung last.  We know that Ian will request “In the Bleak Midwinter,” Rachel will ask for “Go, Tell It on the Mountain,” and Guy will choose anything that could stump the organist.  The exquisite Ruggles organ provides the perfect accompaniment to voices raised in song.

The service ends with Silent Night in the darkened church, sometimes sung in German.

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
all is calm, all is bright, 
as the stars twinkle in the frigid night 
around the little Randolph Church in the beautiful White Mountains.

Join us at 4:00 pm on Christmas Eve.