At the end of last year for the Advent season, there were many events that celebrated something special about the Christmas story. With each of these, I found I could take a message away about how important it is to celebrate Christ. The first event was already held on the 6th of December with the end-of-year function at the St. Johannisheim. The hall was beautifully decorated, and we sang Christmas carols and songs together. There were sweet decorations on the tables and lovely food to share. At my table, I sat with the German and Swiss consulates, which made for interesting conversation and reminded me of how the Christmas celebration brings together people from different countries and backgrounds. The theme for the day was “Home is where the heart is,” and I shared about how important it is to see those around us—living in our Heim, complex, or street—as part of a broader family. For many people living in the St. Johannisheim, the absence of close family can make this time of year lonely. But just as the early church brought together people from different backgrounds to form a family, we, too, can be family to one another through the bond of Christ.The second event was held on Sunday the 22nd of December, where we had our carol-singing service. In this service, we sang hymns and carols in English, German, and Afrikaans, read Bible texts that foretell the story of Jesus, and shared in fellowship afterward with coffee, tea, and cake. It was wonderful to hear how the congregation sang these beautiful carols together, voices united in worship. Afterward, I played a short extract from a podcast about the 1914 Christmas in the war-torn area of France. It brought to life the miraculous power of singing together. In the podcast, an English soldier recounts how, in 1914, the German army and their opponents sang Christmas carols together, and for a holy moment, made peace, shared fellowship, and even exchanged gifts. This moment was a powerful reminder of how Christmas can transcend conflict and division, bringing the light of Christ into the darkest places.
The third event was the Christmas Eve service, wherein we heard the story be- fore the story. The characters of Zechariah, Mary, and Elizabeth were brought to life by congregants playing their roles in a play. Through their stories and interactions, we learned of how doubt can turn to praise for Zechariah, how important it is to share the joy of the Christmas miracle like Elizabeth did, and how fitting it is to answer God’s call with awe and a willingness to listen as Mary did. These stories remind us that our own lives are part of God’s large story, and we are called to live in readiness, preparing for the ultimate story of Christ’s return.
The final event was the Christmas Day service, where we explored the profound mystery of the Word becoming flesh through John 1. This text, rich with meaning, invites us to see the gospel as God’s ultimate gift – a promise that spans creation, witness, response and grace. Like a thoughtfully chosen present, its true value unfolds over time as we come to understand and experience its transformative power.
A gift is more than just an object; it is a promise made by someone who knows you, who has thought about your needs and desires, and chosen something specifically for you. In the same way, God’s gift to us in Christ is deeply personal. Through the Word, God declares, “I know you; I made you; this is for you.”The light that entered the world in Jesus is a promise that, no matter how great the darkness, it can never overcome the light. This gift of grace through Christ is not just for one season but for all of life. It continually renews us, reminding us of God’s eternal love and the hope we have in Him. It is a gift that invites us to share its joy, to live in its light, and to carry its promise into the world. Truly, this is the gift that keeps on giving – grace upon grace, for all who receive it.
As I reflect on these four events from the Advent season, I am reminded of the many ways Christ’s light shines in our lives and how it calls us to repond. From embracing the broader family around us, even in the absence of biological ties, to the unifying power of shared worship and song that transcends division, I see the importance of building connections and celebrating Christ together. The stories of Zechariah, Mary, and Elizabeth inspire me to live with faith, readiness, and joy, while the mystery of the Word becoming flesh reminds me of the gift of grace that continually transforms and sustains us. As I step into 2025, I want to live intentionally—seeing those around me as family, sharing the joy of Christ’s love, preparing my heart for His call, and carrying the light of His promise into the world. May we all embrace the opportunities to be a blessing to one another, guided by the hope and grace that Advent revealed to us.
Pastor’s Pen – Schalk Treurnicht
