AST Christmas Party: Bridging Cultures To Joyfully Celebrate Jesus’ Birth
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Mini jewels and markers, bows and spatula turners, bells and cups, butcher paper, and crayons are just a few of the many uniquely combined items that brought beautiful smiles and excited voices to the fellowship hall of Epiphany Lutheran Church on Tuesday, December 9.
CFNA’s annual Christmas party may have appeared to an outsider as just a typical children’s party with games, presents, a meal, cake, and lots of eager energetic children, but there was an element that connected all of these beautiful children together: the camaraderie that comes from a shared language and culture in an adopted country (perhaps you have experienced this yourself). Together, these multi-cultural children learned about and celebrated the gift of Jesus and His birth in His holy house.
Extending their world outward, the children invited attendees in to observe and experience the joy of Christmas with them. Together, they colored bookmarks, tossed jingle bells into cups, flipped cups into tic tac toe squares, scooped Christmas bows into bowls with spatula turners, and drew pictures on butcher paper to celebrate this special event. The children and teens were enthusiastic participants in all the activities offered to them.
To close their time together, children and volunteers made their way to the church sanctuary where they sang Christmas hymns and African songs honoring the story of Jesus’ birth. As the children were led to the vehicles that would take them home, one of the teen’s voices could be heard singing a well-known African chorus. Filled with joy and food, and with trunks full of gifts and packages, the children headed home—radiating the love of Jesus that had been poured into them.
By Stefanie Rabe, Youth and Enrichment Coordinator
