FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 12/18/2019
SHARING THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS IN SONG
A Christmas tradition 40-years in the making brings joy to local nursing home residents, and helps members of one local church remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Highland, IL (12/18/2019) – Every Christmas morning since 1979, members of the First Baptist Church of Highland have quietly gathered for a light breakfast and vocal warm-ups. Song books are distributed and a schedule is announced as church members pile into cars to go Christmas caroling at local retirement and long-term healthcare facilities.
“For some, Christmas is a time of loneliness or isolation, being in a nursing home or unable to be with family,” explains Adrian Rogier who, along with his wife Sharon, organized the first Christmas morning caroling for the congregation 40 years ago. “For me, this is our way of saying there’s something more important than ourselves.”
Six singers gathered that first year. In recent years, members of Highland’s Family Bible Church have joined with the First Baptist congregation, sometimes creating a choir of more than 40 voices.
“We would bring our kids, and now our kids bring their kids,” says Rogier. “Our kids can put down their gifts and go share Christmas joy with others for a few hours. It’s a teaching moment about the selflessness of God’s love and what Christmas is all about. It’s a privilege to share that love and joy with others on Christmas morning.”
Mary Ann Simpson has been caroling with the church every year. “It’s just what we do,” says Simpson. “It’s our way of sharing Christmas joy with the nursing home residents and staff who don’t get to spend Christmas with their families. My nephew has grown up caroling with the church every year of his life. It’s now just part of our family’s Christmas.”
Church carolers will visit five local facilities on Christmas morning: Cedarhurst of Highland, The Highland Home, Faith Countryside Homes, Elderwerks Atrium Apartments, and Highland Health Care.
The church welcomes anyone who would like to sing along. Carolers will gather at 8:00am on December 25 at the First Baptist Church of Highland (2709 Poplar Street).
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Fore more information about this story, contact Adrian Rogier at (618) 654-2151 or Mary Ann Simpson at (618) 654-3235.
Enclosed photo: Members of First Baptist Church of Highland Christmas caroling at Cedarhurst of Highland on Christmas morning, 2017.