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"SILENT NIGHT WINDY NIGHT"
On a windy December night the stage was set for another Jamaica Defence Force Open Air Carol Service. Although the skies were filled with stars and the weather seemed perfect, Tropical Storm Olga loomed out on the seas. This caused the strong winds that blew through the Number 1 Hockey Field at Up Park Camp.
The Jamaica Military Band performing at the JDF’s Open Air Carol Service.
Sergeant Lawrence of the Support and Services Battalion gave the introductory reading as the guests filed into the seats. The stage was set for a holy night with the range of carols that were on the programme to be sung. The occasion was the Jamaica Defence Force Annual Carol Service in the Open Air held on 11 December 2007.
The Jamaica Defence Force combined choir, accompanied by the Massed Bands, started the evening’s order of service with the processional hymn, “The Heavens are Telling”.
The Other Denomination Padre, Reverend Dr. Webster Edwards, led the first set of prayers for the evening with the congregation responding on cue. After riveting performances from the Jamaica Defence Force Combined Choir and the winners of the 2007 Choral Competition (The First Battalion The Jamaica Regiment), the audience was in for another treat. This was from Lieutenant Commander (Ret) John McFarlane who gave a great performance with his selection “A Ray of Hope”.
Members of the winning 2007 Choral Competition performing at the
JDF’s Open
Air Carol Service.
The evening came alive with the reggae version of the Christmas Carol “All for Jesus”. This selection had all persons present singing and dancing. After the singing and dancing, there came the occasion for reflection from the sermon of Reverend Karl Johnson, General Secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union and the Jamaica Council of Churches.
He had the entire audience listening in awe as he gave a moving homily. He stressed that there was hope in the beautiful country of Jamaica. He also emphasised that the people should not sit back and let the few criminals take over the country.
The 2007 Carol Service came to an end with the Chief of Staff, Major General Stewart Saunders, giving the closing remarks.
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