For the past seven years Cranleigh has invited people to its own Community Christmas Day lunch. This was held at Cranleigh Baptist Church for a few years and at St Nicolas Church in the past two. It is an occasion brimming with the joy of Christmas and not only gives the opportunity for everyone who gathers to eat a delicious Christmas roast and also have a time for fun and friendship. Many make new friends and some simply make the most of celebrating Christmas Day in a different way.
Early in the morning a team arrives in the kitchen, as in most households, putting the turkey onto roast, preparing the vegetables and pudding. From there everything flows – the festive food, the fun, the friendships. Whole families get involved and one family acted as ‘taxi’ drivers picking up and dropping home the guests who didn’t have transport. Even when it snowed it didn’t deter anyone – the warmth of welcome and the joyful time we shared made up for the trickiness of getting there. To see the younger generation sipping wine, sharing jokes and stories with older folk brought to life the true meaning of Christmas in a vibrant and energetic way.
The afternoon ends with a rousing sing-along of Christmas carols – very apt on the exact day many of the lyrics speak of – and everyone goes on their way rejoicing.
This year the occasion is being hosted at Cranleigh Baptist Church. If you would like to volunteer in the preparations, or be a guest at a very special Christmas lunch please contact the church office on 01483 275371.
