Community members gathered in the cold to pay tribute to loved ones who died throughout the years in a special Christmas bulb lighting ceremony. The ceremony was held in Preeceville at the end of Main Street where the memorial tree is located.
Kim Murray and Brittany Halkyard recited the names of 105 persons who were remembered in the ceremony.
Rev. Miles Russell said a few moving words of encouragement and support.
"When we remember in particular, love and blessings in life we are touched by those memories. We sometimes are even made whole again by being connected through our memories to those we love who are not present with us," said Russell. "The act of remembering love shared, is always a gift. Sometimes the remembering will bring laughter, sometimes tears, sometimes a warmth of the heart that is comforting. The act of remembering is an opportunity when we take it to be a blessing. The Christmas season creates an opportunity for blessing of many kinds. This time of year is also one of light and colour, family and feasts, goodwill and generosity, gifts wrapped in beautiful paper and gifts of love wrapped in acts of kindness and words of blessing.
"Ironically at this time of year, when blessings and the so called magic of Christmas are emphasized, the sorrow, the losses, the hardships of life are seemingly felt more keenly. Tonight we gather to light the trees, with bulbs that have been purchased in memory of those who have been loved by family, friends and community. This is an act of blessing even while we acknowledge the sorrow and loss often associated with the remembering. We gather at night for this ceremony to witness the marvel of light and colour in the midst of darkness through these Christmas lights. The most meaningful thing is that this act is filled with symbolism and truth that goes far beyond this mere lighting of tree lights. Each light represents a person who was and is loved someone who contributed to the world by their words and deeds, their helpfulness, their participation in their family, community, circle of faith and neighbourhood. Each bulb also represents truth that the light we hold in out hearts never goes out. Even in the darkness of sorrow and loss, the light of love continues to shine as these bulbs shine in the night.
“They also represent hope. The hope is that even in the time of darkness, goodness, love, hope life will overcome all things. When we remember loved ones who have died, when we create acts of hope, compassion, generosity and kindness, as this ceremony represents, than we join in the eternal mystery of truth which says that light and love and life will always overcome darkness and fear and death. We do something very sacred, we create a holy moment that has the power to touch many with healing love. As we light theses bulbs, may the comforting peace of God's eternal love be felt by each one through the act of remembering. As we light these bulbs, may blessing for the community and present and future generations be found through this act of giving," said Russell.
Christmas songs Silent Night and Away in the Manager were sung by the individuals in attendance at the ceremony, followed by hot chocolate.
