Thursday 22 December 2011

Christmas Tree Gift Service

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

11 Fertilize my soul:

Your Coffee Drinking Devushka said...

I find myself praying more for believers in India because of your blog! These photos are awesome! Merry, merry, Christmas!

Simply Shelley said...

A wonderful post...thank you so much Amrita...its a beautiful tree and a beautiful service too...blessings on your church.

Anonymous said...

wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas...God bless and keep you safe....love sent to you from your sister in California.....

Nadwrażliwiec said...

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.

Pat said...

What a beautiful service, and I loved the pictures!
Merry Christmas Amrita!

Laurie Collett said...

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!

Buttercup said...

Wishing you a bright and blessed Christmas!

Nadwrażliwiec said...

I wish You blessed Christmas full of joy and peace!

Miss said...

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!

Paresh Palicha said...

Merry Christmas to you Didi!

Amrita said...

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.