East Shelby church welcomes public to celebrate a less frantic Christmas
Gingerbread, caroling and carriage rides are part of the day
Press release, East Shelby Community Bible Church
EAST SHELBY – Have you ever wished you could celebrate Christmas the way your grandparents did – simple, no commercialism, with the emphasis on the birth of Jesus Christ?
The congregation of the East Shelby Community Bible Church would like to invite everyone to be able to do just that by joining them as they celebrate the real meaning of Christmas in West Jackson Corners. Come experience “The Smells and Tastes of Christmas Past” today from noon to 5 p.m.
Begin your afternoon in the church listening to the church’s “Band of Renown,” which will begin playing at noon. The band has been practicing for weeks to provide you with a wonderful concert of Christmas hymns and carols.
Afterwards walk across the road to West Jackson Corners and experience the true meaning of Christmas in a restored 19th century village. West Jackson Corners was the original name of East Shelby in the early 1800s.
While visiting West Jackson Corners take a sleigh ride. There will also be a special team of horses this year called “Norsk Heist.” They are Norwegian horses that are small and powerful. Come and enjoy a sleigh ride pulled by these specialty horses.
Listen to a tale of long ago, hear the Dickinson style Christmas carolers, view the two 20-foot Christmas trees in the village square, see the lights, taste a pioneer Christmas dinner cooked over an open hearth, or sing your favorite Christmas songs along with the church choir.
Check out an old fashion toy display in the local country store, view a living manager scene in the barn at the edge of town, make an old fashioned garland with pine cones, nuts, berries and cinnamon, taste homemade hot chocolate, or just visit with the folks from West Jackson Corners.
Be sure to come back to the church and view the 16-foot Christmas tree in the church sanctuary, the candelabra ready for lighting on Christmas Eve and the traditional holiday greens decorations. While in the church sample traditional holiday snacks and desserts prepared and served by the ladies of West Jackson Corners.
As you enjoy the holiday foods, have a cup of coffee or a special Christmas punch and watch the folk dancing by some of the teens of the church.
Stop in at the 19th century parsonage next door to the church. The parsonage, restored to its 19th century splendor, will be decked out for an old fashion Christmas.
While there visitors will also have a chance to decorate a homemade gingerbread man in the kitchen, watch heritage craft demonstrations in the living room and visit the children’s craft corner. Upstairs in the parsonage is Santa’s workshop where youngsters can make their own wooden toy.
Be on hand at 4:30 p.m. when the children greet Santa Claus as he arrives by horse drawn sleigh at West Jackson Corners.
