Christmas Eve--Imagine A King
Dec
27
Written by:
12/27/2008 9:28 AM
On December 24, 2008 NVM experienced its first Christmas Eve as a new ministry. How exciting it was to share such a special event we will all remember. It made for a long day being located in an Elementary school, worshiping in a gymnasium and having to set up and tear down before and after the worship gathering.
Many of us started at 1pm decorating the gym but this was one of my favorite parts of the entire event. It was a joy to see so many people come together to decorate, set up chairs, set up the stage, set up the PA equipment, the band rigs, the Christmas rope lights (which were amazing and an artistic painting which was fantastic) and so on and so on. I didn’t hear one complaint from anyone only laughter and lots of funny jibber jabber of anticipation of what was to come. It was a slippery, wet and icy day but guys were in the parking lot early to shovel and put down salt for our expected guests to arrive. With honor, we prepared for a special party for our Savior’s birthday!
Let me tell you about the evening as I reminisce in the memories of it all through the kind words of others and their affirmation of the event. As you walked in you were greeted by happy faces that said Merry Christmas with such delight. As you made your way into the gym it did not feel like a gym at all! The mood lighting was low but you walked on a lit path which took you to your seat ever so elegantly. The stage was filled with a radiant glow of white lights, shiny snowflakes, a lit Christmas tree and red radiant poinsettias to set the atmosphere which was full of warmth.
To start the gathering the song “Birthday” by the Beetles was played to kick off the celebration. As guests waited in anticipation, they were entertained with a Christmas Movie Trivia Countdown. The house band played new and old Christmas favorites in the NVM style of worship! We experienced a “man on the street video” which asked normal, everyday people like us what they thought about the meaning of Christmas. After, we were all taken back by the duet “A Baby Changes Everything” and many of us had a wet Kleenex in our hands.
To follow was a drama called “A Chance Encounter” that filled the room with roaring laughter yet thought provoking silence. All of this was done to set up the unique teaching from the Word of God called “Imagine a King – The Great Shepherd.” It brought us to a place of inner reflection of how much God really loves and cares for us. It made us realize there is hope in this broken world and that we matter and have value to God and to others.
The evening closed with the Holy Spirit in our midst as we sung Silent Night and O Holy Night together. Tears of joy streamed down the cheeks of people singing who were there to experience and seek a Savior and could actually feel his presence. As the night came to an end, history was made. It was the history of a new ministry reaching out to people in need that were seeking peace, comfort, prayer and acceptance. It was said that people found something “different” at NVM that night. The difference came from finding joy through Christ, peace through unity, happiness through laughter, hope through his Word, love through a friendly hug, and a celebration through Jesus Christ!
After the event we had to tear down all the equipment and load it into cars and trucks in the bitter cold but our hearts felt the warmth of Christmas that night. All because of a King. We didn’t just imagine, we experienced His presence on Christmas Eve.
1 comment(s) so far...
Re: Christmas Eve--Imagine A King
I am sorry I missed it!!!! I can picture it all with your description and it sounds like it was a beautiful service!!!!! You guys always do a great job....but Christmas Eve always seems so magical.
By Mary on
1/11/2009 10:01 PM
|