Town mayor the Rev Cllr Mike Davies

WELL, it's hard to believe that it is already time for me to say, 'Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year'. What a remarkable year we have had in Okehampton. The Olympic Torch, Jubilee Celebrations, Tour of Britain Road Race, hosting of the Devon Youth Games, and so much more!

As a community we pulled together and I think we have proved that we know how to celebrate. 

As we rejoice this Christmas, let us use this time to reflect and count our blessings. May I ask you all to remember your neighbours at this time of year, especially the elderly and those who live alone.

I would also like to extend a special welcome to those who are visiting Okehampton to be with their families and friends and I hope that you have a wonderful time.

From my family and our town council we wish you and your family all the love and blessings of the Christmas season.

We look forward with anticipation to another great year in 2013.

The Rev Stephen Cook

Which is your favourite carol?   Carols are essentially folk songs.  We have whittled them down to a dozen or so well known ones but there are literally thousands of them out there; including a whole set of West Country carols, and they are still being written.

If you had to write a carol where would you start?  Would it be in the mess and straw of the stable or with the 'Glory in the Highest' of the angels? 

Would it be quiet and mystical or loud and wonderful? Would you focus on the shepherds or the kings?  Would you write about the humanity of the baby or his deity? 

All these are aspects of the Christmas story and there is already a carol for all of them, but it's folk music: there is no reason why you should not write your own.

That process of entering into the wonder of Christmas and expressing it in song is what Christmas services are all about: the candle-light, the decorations, the music carry us into another world where our hearts can respond to the mystery and wonder of the Word made flesh and dwelling among us, as the Bible says: 'And we beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.'

On behalf of all the churches in the town I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and joyful New Year.