Northstowe's (Hot Chocolate) Beer and Carols 2025
Note: While Northstowe Tap and Social will be selling alcoholic drinks for those who wish to indulge - drinks are not necessary to enjoy this festive community event - and Northstowe Hub are serving FREE Hot Chocolate (while stocks last)
Back by popular demand, on Friday 19th December, Northstowe will gather with a local Brass Band and Northstowe Chorus, around the Christmas Tree ,by the light of (electronic) tea lights to sing favourite Carols interspersed with poems and readings from various community figures.
Where: The Christmas Tree on The Green, Pathfinder Way (Pathfinder Primary if wet)
When: Friday 19th Dec, Food from 5pm, Music from 6.30pm, Community Carols 7-7.45pm
Food and Drink
We've booked the Assembly Rooms in the Cabin so you can stay warm and dry as you eat and drink before the main event!We warmly invite you to bring along hot chocolates, teas, or coffee to keep those fingers warm as we sing! FREE hot chocolate is being served by Northstowe Hub from their stand outside The Cabin (while stocks last)
Or you might like to treat yourself to something from Northstowe Foodies’ Food Trucks who will be on the Green from 5 together with
Northstowe Tap and Social 
* Crumblieavble
* Pigcasso's
Or you might like to treat yourself to something from Northstowe Foodies’ Food Trucks who will be on the Green from 5 together with
Northstowe Tap and Social * Crumblieavble
* Pigcasso's
Parking and Access
We very much hope that most people will be able to support our Eco aims by walking/cycling/taking the bus to join us. There is limited street parking on Pathfinder Way, including the spaces around the roundabout outside Pathfinder Primary. Or you can you use the Longstanton Park and Ride car park.The pedestrianised area at the front of the Cabin will be closed off to vehicles - if you need blue badge parking please let the Phoenix Event Stewards know and they will move the barriers to let you in.
Thank you to Phoenix Events (East) for supporting our event again this year! The team are providing First Aid support as well as event security.
Updated Running Order & Carol Words
The Band will be playing from about 6.30, and Northstowe Chorus will sing a medlay of Christmas Music after the main service before the band resume. Our collection of storytelling, poetry, music, and brass-band led carols will last about 45 mins.PART I – There is Room
Poem: There is Room (published by The Methodist Church, read by a member of Northstowe 6th Form)
Once in Royal David’s City
Once in Royal David’s cityStood a lowly cattle-shed.
Where a mother laid her baby
In a manger for His bed.
Mary was that mother mild,
Jesus Christ her little child.
He came down to earth from Heaven,
Who is God and Lord of all.
And his shelter was a stable,
And his cradle was a stall.
With the poor and mean and lowly,
Lived on earth our Saviour Holy.
And our eyes at last shall see Him
Through His own redeeming love,
For that child so dear and gentle
Is our Lord in Heaven above;
And He leads His children on
To the place where He is gone.
Not in that poor, lowly stable,
With the oxen standing by,
We shall see Him; but in Heaven,
Set at God’s right hand on high,
When, like stars, His children crowned
All in white, shall wait around.
Words: Public Domain
PART II – Light in the Darkness
Silent Night
Silent night! Holy night!All is calm, all is bright
round yon Virgin Mother and Child,
Holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in Heavenly peace!
sleep in Heavenly peace!
Silent night! Holy night!
Shepherds quail at the sight;
glories stream from Heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Christ, the Saviour, is born!
Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, Love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy Holy face,
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
WORDS: Public Domain
Luke tells the story: Jesus is born (Read by the Deputy Mayor)
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, recorded in his Gospel. THE VOICE bibleGaudete Sung by the Northstowe Chorus
Luke continues the story (Read by pupils from The Pathfinder Primary)
Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, recorded in his Gospel. THE VOICE bibleHark the Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the herald angels sing,“Glory to the new born King,
peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
join the triumph of the skies;
with th’ angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
late in time behold him come,
offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’ incarnate Deity,
pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that man no more may die,
born to raise the sons of earth,
born to give us second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new born King!”
CCLI Song # 27738 Charles Wesley | Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy © Words: Public Domain
The Christmas Toast
We raise our glasses in a toastto the soon-to-be-born King!
Cheers! Happy Christmas!
PART III – Following the Star
Poem: BC:AD by U. A. Fanthorpe (Read by a pupil at Northstowe Secondary College)
Northstowe Chorus Sing:
Follow that star
Continuing with Matthew’s Account: Read by a Guide (or member of Pathfinder Church)
Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth, recorded in his Gospel. THE VOICE bibleWe three kings
We three kings of Orient areBearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, voices raising
Worshiping, God most high
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
sounds through the earth and skies
CCLI Song # 38002 John Henry Hopkins Jr. © Words: Public Domain
PART IV - Carrying the Light
In the bleak midwinter
In the bleak mid-winterFrosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter
Long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him
Nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away
When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter
A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Filled the air,
But His mother, lowly,
In her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the Beloved
With a kiss.
What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.
CCLI Song # 2399539 Christina Georgina Rossetti Public Domain
FINAL PART - We wish you...
POEM: Light, to crumple up the darkness by Roddy Hamilton (read by pupils at The Pathfinder Primary)
Final Blessing
MUSIC CONTINUES
Northstowe Chorus Sing a Medley of Christmas Songs concluding with
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year
THE PUNTING PLAYERS PLAY ON
About the musicians: The Punting Players - and friends!
We're honoured to be uniting local Northstowe musicians with a great group of brass players: The Punting Players busk traditional Christmas carols and songs around Cambridge this advent. They are called the Punting Players, as they started their journey playing carols whilst being punted up and down the river Cam!
The Punting Players will be busking in central Cambridge, near Market square, from 11am until 1pm on Saturday 20th December.
We would welcome any support and all are welcome to come and sing along.
PHOTOGRAPHS WILL BE TAKEN AT THIS EVENT:
read more on our main website
Many of the poems shared tonight come from the collection "Winter" edited by Ruth Burgess and published by Wild Goose Publications.
Bible Readings are from THE VOICE bible translation
Bible Readings are from THE VOICE bible translation
You are welcome and invited to join our other special events this Advent and Christmas
Our Christmas Appeal
We invite Northstowe to join us in supporting three great charities. The local Northstowe Yuoth Hive (working with Northstowe's young people), Cambridge Churches Homeless Project (a collection of churches and a synagogue that work together to offer practical care and support to people who would otherwise be sleeping rough in our city each winter), and INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSON, a global organisation partnering with local justice systems to end violence against people living in poverty.Sign up to our weekly ENews to stay up to date:
