Christmas Day in Pictures

I  want  to   show  you our  Christmas Day celebration  in  pictures. It was  the  most historic, memorable and  amazing Christmas of my life.

Our out door Nativity scene. The  figures were made   by  folk  artists. They need  improvement and we shall  do that  next  year. You can see my  Sheeba joining  with  the   animals in the   stable.

At first  Sheeba was  taken by  surprised by the  animals  almost  her  size and  puzzled   by   them  she  barked . Later on she did   obeisance  to the  Baby Jesus.

Our church front  colourfully  decorated.

Children have a special place in  our  church.

It was very cold but the church was full.  During testimony time many people  came  forward to tell their  stories  and  sing  songs for  the  glory  of God. We could  have  gone on  endlessly.

People lining  up for  prayer after  service.

Everybody enjoying themselves in the  church yard.

Santa came riding a bicycle. His  bicycle has  Scripture verses  displayed on it. He  distributed  candy to  the  children.

The  boys  are  all  smiles

Book  table. Gopal , who was  managing  it,testified how his  mother  was  healed  on her  death bed.

Everybody got a hot  plate of  channa to warm themselves.

Bon fire

Quote by Steve Maraboli

"Want to keep Christ in Christmas? Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, forgive the guilty, welcome the unwanted, care for the ill, love your enemies, and do unto others as you would have done unto you."

Our  Christmas  Day ministry  lasted  for  nearly 12  hours. After  the service  was  over , people  kept coming wanting to see  the  church,  and  asking  for  prayer.  Our pastor  and  I  together  with  others  remained  in  church  till 9 PM   talking to  visitors and  praying   with   them, sharing  God 's  love   with all.
We  did  not even have   time   for  lunch. I went  home  to    give  away bags of Christmas  goodies  etc. I  made for  some  people. Quickly I  made  a  pot  of  noodles  with  fresh  vegetables. I gave  a  big bowl to my church  workers and  sent  another  bowl  to our ministers. I wish  I had  a  larger  utensil to cook  in. Later on someone brought  us black tea which got  cold as  we were  busy talking to  people.
People came  seeking  the  Christ Child.
Groups of  students, families, neighbours all  together, individuals, couples, children.
People from all  walks of   life and  sections of society and  from far  off  places.
Everyone got  personal attention and  prayer.
I cannot   tell  you  all  the  stories / prayer requests we heard  that  day.
A young  man in search of  moksha - deliverance  of the  cycle   of  rebirth.
A woman estranged from her  husband.
A small  boy   whose  mother  was  ill at home.
A beautiful  teenage girl wept  inconsolably for her  24 year old brother  who has gone  blind.
They  came   seeking  answers  and  comfort.
Cold , hunger  and  time  was   forgotten. Just  as  we would  want  to  close  the  church a group of  more  people  would  walk in.
God  did  a   mighty  work that  day. pray  the seed that  was  sown would  fall  on  good ground , take root   and  bear  fruit.
 

Bidding  everyone  Goodnight late  at  night.

Sunday Blessings- O Come Little Children

These   neighbourhood  children  like  our Sunday School songs,  stories  and activities.  Their  leader, an  older  boy  told me   they  missed their  'gift ' last  Sunday. I promised  to  give  them  a  Christmas  Day  treat. (smile)

Go tell it on the streets that Jesus Christ is born

Last  Sunday there  was  a  Christmas  procession  passing  through the  main  streets of  our  city proclaiming  the  good news  of  the  birth  of Christ. Trucks  bearing  nativity  scenes  and  other aspects  of  the  life  of Christ drove   slowly  down the  streets with  Pastors preaching  the  message  of salvation. This was  organised  by  a  Christian  University, our  church  is   also  partnering  with  their  ministry.

 

Good Tidings To The Poor

On  Sunday morning  a  group  of  destitute, homeless  people  entered  our  church  campus,  we  welcomed  them  inside. They were   so  bewildered almost  fearful because  they  are  considered to  be the dregs  of   society  and  people are  not  kind  to  them.
I  don 't  know  how   much  they  understood  of  what   was   going  on,  but  I  am  sure  God  touched  their  hearts  with  His  love.
 This  is  what  Jesus   came  for.
Isaiah 61:1
[ The Good News of Salvation ] “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;(NKJV)  BIBLE
On  Christmas  day we  are  going  to  give   away  blankets  or  warm clothing  to  the  poor and  offer everyone  a  hot  cup  of  tea  and  food.
Please  pray  for us   as  bring  preach  the  good  tidings  and  share  the  love   of  Christ  to  the least  of  our  brethren. We  look  to God for provision and  blessing.
 

Sunday School Christmas Program

 The  church  wore  a  festive  look

 Pastor  Herbert  with  Mike  ((right).  Mike  is  an  ethno-musicologist and  is  a  student  of  the  Hindi  language  and  Indian music.

 (top)  Gabriel  speaks  to  Mary.  Joseph  saw  the  angel  in  his  dream

 Adoration of   the  Shepherds

 Wise men worship  Him.  Angels  in  attendance.

 Worship  dance

 Jolly   ol'  Saint  Nick  pays  a  surprise  visit

 These twin  brothers  love  to  sing.  Here  they  are  singing  a song in  the  Bhojpuri  language.

 Granny  Timothy  distributing  gifts   to   the  children

 Lined  up  for  gifts

 Street  children were  also  welcomed

Tea  and  snacks  were  served  after  service.
We  had  a   wonderful  morning