In India we have a yuletide tradition in many churches called the Christmas Tree Gift Service or the White Gift Service.
Its an evening of Christmas carols and a homily by the Pastor followed by the distribution of simple little gifts to the children and adults.
There can be a gift exchange also. In the white gift service presents are wrapped in white paper and laid around the Christmas tree and you can come up and pick a little package .In large and rich congregations more expensive gifts are given for which money is collected beforehand.
One church I know did not have a gift service for themselves. Instead of that they used the contributions to prepare a nice meal for the inmates of an old people 's home. The elderly folk shared the joy of Christ 's coming with this group. What a neat idea.
Last Saturday the Believer 's Church held their Christmas Tree in our church. There were about 150 people or more. Only the little children got gifts. This church is not rich. Here are some photos I took.
Singing carols
Sunday school children
Lost in worship - O come let us adore him.
The Pastor 's wife (seated) distributing gifts to the children. They got a lollipop and a pencil each.
The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others ' loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.
- W C Jones
Its an evening of Christmas carols and a homily by the Pastor followed by the distribution of simple little gifts to the children and adults.
There can be a gift exchange also. In the white gift service presents are wrapped in white paper and laid around the Christmas tree and you can come up and pick a little package .In large and rich congregations more expensive gifts are given for which money is collected beforehand.
One church I know did not have a gift service for themselves. Instead of that they used the contributions to prepare a nice meal for the inmates of an old people 's home. The elderly folk shared the joy of Christ 's coming with this group. What a neat idea.
Last Saturday the Believer 's Church held their Christmas Tree in our church. There were about 150 people or more. Only the little children got gifts. This church is not rich. Here are some photos I took.
Singing carols
Sunday school children
Lost in worship - O come let us adore him.
The Pastor 's wife (seated) distributing gifts to the children. They got a lollipop and a pencil each.
The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others ' loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas.
- W C Jones
11 Fertilize my soul:
I find myself praying more for believers in India because of your blog! These photos are awesome! Merry, merry, Christmas!
A wonderful post...thank you so much Amrita...its a beautiful tree and a beautiful service too...blessings on your church.
wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas...God bless and keep you safe....love sent to you from your sister in California.....
This is beautiful tradition. I see Your church is really big, greater than mine.
This Christmas Sunday we have the service with two other Baptist churches in Cracow.
What a beautiful service, and I loved the pictures!
Merry Christmas Amrita!
Dear Amrita, Thank you so much for sharing this service -- it is like being there, and you can sense the sweet spirit. Love to you and Christmas blessings!
Wishing you a bright and blessed Christmas!
I wish You blessed Christmas full of joy and peace!
Last night we celebrated Advent. And we learned what the meaning of the Christmas wreath is.
Merry Christmas Amrita!
I hope your day tomorrow is wonderous!
Merry Christmas to you Didi!
Dear friends,
Zim,
Paresh,
Buttercup,
Miss
Laurie,
Michelle,
Pat,
Dani,
Shelly,
Thank you for your greetings. I wish you all a happy and joyous celebration of Christ 's birth.
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