This year at True Way Presbyterian Church in Queenstown,
our gathering of Jesus-followers is hosting a festival!
Our celebrations began with a combined outreach into our neighborhood one Saturday afternoon from 4 – 9 pm. Multiple groups of local Christians hosted an afternoon into an evening of entertainment in an open-air mall, complete with:
- our own youth-led band singing modern Christmas songs, including Taylor Swift’s Christmas Must be Something More
- a brass ensemble playing traditional hymns
- seniors dressed in classic Chinese costume and moving to traditional dances
- choirs in matching colors singing songs of hope and joy
- befrienders offering gift bags and holiday specials.
The next weekend we participated in a local Christmas market, welcoming nearby neighbors of all faiths and connecting with them with crafts. Of course, there were more options for food and fun! Wanna see the video we created?
Did you know that advent comes from the Latin which means, “I come toward.” It points to an arrival, yet to come.
And every year, Christians around the world anticipate the coming of Christ. He has already come once – we celebrate His birth every year at Christmas. And we use the advent season to remind us that He is coming again. The message from the first Christmas,
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10)
still rings true. Jesus Christ, the anointed one shares,
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11)
If joy is missing from your life, I encourage you to reach out to someone who radiates joy – and ask them for the source of their joy. May you find room in your heart for joy.