This article was written for inclusion in the December 2025 issue of our parish magazine. In mid-December 2024 Rev Christine cam to me with a suggestion of a new anthem for Christmas – “but not this Christmas”, she said, “it’s far too short notice!” I found the sheet music, loved it, checked with Tom, and bought it. We offered it at the midnight and Christmas morning services that year.

There isn't a 13th Day of Christmas! This is Carol and Tom's parting gift to you, a cheeky review of the disasters of ill-thought-out gifts. We hope you've enjoyed spending Advent and Christmas, and look forward to doing it all again in December. Meanwhile, we're off for a rest, and normal service is being resumed via this blog, our Facbook page, Instagram and Bluesky feeds.

This month's letter comes from the keyboard of Rev Christine: I pray that each of you has experienced a joyful Christmas, surrounded by family and friends. I also trust you have enjoyed all the traditional trimmings, taken time to celebrate the Christmas story, and had the chance to reconnect with those you may not see often. As we step into this New Year, may I wish each one of you a very Happy New Year, as the days grow longer and we begin to look forward to the promise of brighter days to come.

By now all readers of this blog will be aware that our parish choir took part in the BBC’s recording of the Radio 4 Daily Service Carol Concert at Manchester Cathedral early in December 2025. It was a truly amazing event to be part of! This is what some of our singers said: Christmas started yesterday for Maggie’s Music Makers when we took part in a carol service at Manchester Cathedral along with other choirs and music groups from across Greater Manchester, which was being recorded by the BBC as part of their Christmas schedule for radio.

Today is the 12th Day of Christmas, and Epiphany is upon us. In light of this, our choir sings for us about the visit of the Magi, before singing about the gifts given on the twelvth day of Christmas. They're quite worn out now! St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming.

Today is the 11th Day of Christmas, and we are heading into Epiphany. In light of this, Carol and Tom sing for us about the visit of the Magi, and then the choir sings about the gifts given on the eleventh day of Christmas. St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming.

Today is the 10th Day of Christmas, and we are heading towards Epiphany. In light of this, the parish choir sings for us about the visit of the Magi, as well as the gifts given on the tenth day of Christmas. St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming.

Today is the 9th Day of Christmas, and the parish choir sings for us about a gifts given on the ninth day of Christmas. St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming.

Today is the 8th Day of Christmas, and the parish choir sings for us about a gifts given on the eighth day of Christmas. St Margaret’s Church Prestwich holds CCLI licences CCL 79250, MRL 775231 and 466111 for music streaming and One Licence M-40120 for music streaming.