Festival of Christmas trees in Ahoghill

Rosemary Frayne and Anne Kee with the bible Christmas tree for the Christmas Tree Festival, held at St Collmanell's Church from 26th November to the 1st December. INBT 47-808H

‘For unto us a child is born’ is the title of the 2015 Christmas tree festival in St Colmanell’s Parish, Ahoghill, which starts on Thursday, November 26.

Using lights, scriptures, music, choirs and 40 wonderfully crafted Christmas trees, the Christian story will be told from Genesis to the resurrection, with particular emphasis on the birth of Jesus at Christmas.

There will be trees which reflect the beauty and joy of Christ’s birth and life but also more unusual ones which will illustrate other aspects of His life and the wider and deeper meaning of the Gospel story.

Members of the Parish, local schools, Girl Guides, the Young Farmers’ Club and the Women’s Institute have been working for months to create this unique presentation of the Christmas story.

St Colmanell’s has been described as one of the most beautiful village churches in County Antrim and will be a wonderful setting for this inspiring account of the Christmas story.

Teas will be served in the church hall where there will also be Christmas trees and crafts for sale as well as a display reflecting the 150 year history of St Colmanell’s.

The festival will be open to callers on Thursday, November 26, from 7-9pm; Friday, November 27, from 10am-9pm; Saturday, November 28, from 10am-9pm; Sunday, November 29, from 2-6.30pm. with Sunday Advent Service at 11.30am and 7pm); Monday, November 30, from 10am-9pm; and Tuesday, December 1, from 10am-9pm. Donations will go to NI Hospice and St Colmanell’s Buildings Fund.