carol services - ok to take 6yrold?

10 replies

roundabout1 · 17/12/2011 23:43

my dd1 (6) had her school carol service at the local church last week & loved it & said she would like to go to church more often. I always go to crib service & ocassionally for other childrens/family services but tomorrow evening there is a carols by candlelight. She has expressed interest at going but I have no idea if it's the sort of thing that children would normally go to. She is very well behaved so I have no worries there just don't want her to be the only child there feeling the odd one out.

OP posts:

MrsShrekTheThird · 17/12/2011 23:47

my three dcs (6,8,11)are all coming to candle lit carols tomorrow. Ours is a family friendly and fairly informal church, so children definitely catered for. Imho you should definitely take her.

QED · 18/12/2011 00:05

I took DS 7 and DD 5 to a carol service last Sunday - there were some other children there as well and it was fine to take them.

Original poster

roundabout1 · 18/12/2011 09:13

Oh thank you, she (& I ) are really looking forward to it so it is good to know, may take my mil too who has dementia but loves singing things. I feel a little bit awkward regarding church services as not completely sure how I feel about religion & would hate to be seen as hypocritical for just attending the Christmas & special services. Don't really know how church goers feel about people sort of experimenting with the church. I do believe in God I think but I wasn;t brought up going to church & it all seems a bit alien to me so thanks for the reassurance.

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Northernlurker · 18/12/2011 09:35

Definately ok to attend with dd. It's Carol Service today here too and both dh and I are involved in the planning/running so will basically be at church all afternoon with our three dds and then the service in the evening.
Church is not just for those who would consider themselves fully fledged Chritians. Church is an open door for anyone who wants to come in and find things out. I can tell you that I believe Christ died for me and for you - but I don't expect you to believe that based on my say so You need to come in as and when you can and see what you believe. Christmas and 'special' services are the perfect opportunity to do that. The essence of Christianity is there in any Christmas service. That Christ came to earth, lived amongst us and died for us. I hope you enjoy the service

PositiveAttitude · 18/12/2011 09:36

Relax and enjoy it roundabout1!! Don't worry what other people are thinking about what your motives are. I would be very surprised if any church go-er would be worried at all about anyone coming into the church and "sort of experimenting".

MollieO · 18/12/2011 09:39

Ds always goes. He has been going since he was a baby and joined the church choir when he was 6. Christmas services always ok but used to get some sniffy looks from older members of the congregation at normal Sunday services. Our vicar is very keen to encourage children attending church so told me to ignore those.

MaryBeWaiting · 20/12/2011 11:21

I'm a minister and haven't got a problem with you attending :). Our church is there for the community and people come in sometimes just to sit and be quiet. We had our "lessons and carols" on Sunday, and the church was packed, and many of those will have only come for the music (we have a good choir), but that is fine :).

Original poster

roundabout1 · 21/12/2011 18:38

Thanks everyone - we did go & dd enjoyed it. She did find it quite long but nevertheless enjoyable & I enjoyed it too. I would most defintely go again & came out feeling different & more whole if that makes any sense to anyone.

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PositiveAttitude · 21/12/2011 20:32

Very pleased to read that Roundabout1. There's nothing like a good carol service to make you feel ready for Christmas!

twinklingfairy · 22/12/2011 18:14

I completely understand what you mean Roundabout.
I have just started to go to my local church and have never felt more content about it.
I was brought up i a different faith, but have been trying to decide if it is the one for me. Only 2 attendances at this church but I looked forward to the second and am quite excited about attending their Christmas eve service.
Inbetween I was invited to another church that my DD had been attending some 'Messy Church' activities at. It was nice but, made me feel even more sure that, for now, the church I have chosen is the one for us.
Just got to get my family to accept my decision now

As for your original question. On every occasion I have attended church, as a mother, I have always taken both my children. Even when DD was 2.5 and DS only 6 months old. They are now 3 and 5.
It is all about the children, they are the future, if they are not accepted then neither am I. So yes, 6 years old is old enough imo

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