For 20 years or more, Brundidge United Methodist Church has celebrated Old Christmas at Clay Hill at 6 p.m. on January 6.

And, so it will be again this year, said the Rev. Ed Shirley, pastor of BUMC.

Old Christmas at Clay Hill is the celebration of the Wise Men’s arrival to worship the Christ Child. It is the time when the Three Wise Men brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, which were the richest of gifts that could be offered to a newborn king.

The gifts were symbolic of the importance of Jesus’ birth. The gold represented his royal standing, the frankincense his divine birth and myrrh his mortality.

“The Three Wise Men were astronomers who followed the Star of Bethlehem to where Jesus was,” Shirley said. “At the time of their arrival, Jesus was about two years old.”

However, most Nativity scenes today show the Wise Men worshipping the Baby Jesus at the manger with the shepherds but Shirley said that should not be of any concern.

“Because when the Wise Men arrived to see Jesus he was still a child,” he said.

Old Christmas at Clay Hill is an opportunity to bring the Christmas season to a quiet and meaningful close. The non-denominational service is one for quiet reflection. It is a service of scriptures and songs, with congregational singing of the carols of Christmas and several specials including, “O Holy Night,” “Sweet Little Jesus Boy’ and “The Reason for the Season.”

There is no more meaningful way to close out the Christmas season than in a historic country church lighted by lanterns and decorated with evergreens and with a service of scriptures and songs.

Clay Hill Church is located off Highway 93 between Brundidge and Banks.  Signs will direct.