The Christmas holiday season at Thornwell is truly a “most wonderful time of year.”


As the children make their wish lists for Santa, they look forward to singing Christmas carols, practicing their parts in the Christmas program, and celebrating with the people they love.


Thanks to the efforts of Thornwell Christian Educator Finley Sutton, and a host of staff and campus volunteers, the children had an opportunity to remember the true meaning of Christmas during the Annual Thornwell Advent Workshop. On December 6, nearly a dozen different activity stations filled the campus dining hall, each designed to help participants focus on the peace, love and hope of the season.


“We made angels and stars out of everything from old hymn books to gold wrapping paper,” said Finley. “Everyone had a great time singing Christmas carols, dressing up as shepherds, kings, Mary and Joseph, and learning about the birth of Christ. But the prayer chain made from the written prayers of the children was the most special. We draped it from the communion table in the church.”


Volunteers from Rocky Springs Presbyterian Church in Laurens, SC, spent the afternoon helping the children learn the Christmas Story through a Nativity scene activity. Following the workshop, more volunteers from Rocky Springs provided a delicious spaghetti supper.


The following Sunday afternoon, the children and youth of Thornwell delivered the Christmas cards made during the workshop to the residents of Presbyterian Home.



“We gave the cards out to the people who live their, then we all sang Christmas carols together”, said Finley. “It was another wonderful Sunday.”


Our campus family Christmas celebration concluded on Thursday, December 17, with the Thornwell annual Christmas Dinner and Candlelight Service. Campus families and staff gathered once again in the dining hall to enjoy a holiday meal, followed by a very special candlelight service at Hartness-Thornwell Memorial Presbyterian Church.




While Pastor Hayes Noble read the Christmas story from the gospel of Luke, the children brought the story to life with a reenactment of the blessed event. After the service, campus families were very excited to return to their cottages to open gifts.


Many, many thanks to all our Christmas sponsors!