Two hundred volunteers. A live Nativity. Wagon rides. S’mores around a campfire. An indoor snowball fight. Santa. A puppet show. Christmas Cookies. Food vendors.

Christmas Traditions is upon us. Our celebration runs 3 to 7 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 9. The community is invited and other than the food from vendors, everything’s free. If you’re a volunteer, you should already know your assignment. Activities are both indoors and outdoors, so dress for the weather.

For a few thoughts about this year’s event, we spoke with Erin Blume, director of Adult Ministries; and Dave Creek, associate pastor of Family Ministries.

EB:

It’s very intentionally family focused. We really wanted opportunities for families to create traditions that maybe they don’t have, or to add some new things.

There are three opportunities for the gospel to be shared. It’s very intentional. We’ve got the stage show that happens three times throughout the evening. We’ve got the Live Nativity and then we have it in the passport book that they get when they come in.

DC:

We’re trying to put on a fun experience where the family can come and participate, but they don’t have to do anything except show up and be involved and enjoy time together. Parents can be with your kids, join in with your kids, laugh with your kids, do all of that. There’s no prep work for you except putting enough layers.

EB:

Exactly. We really want it to be a free event. You can come and not spend one penny here. We have opportunities for food that people can buy. But everything is a gift to the community. All the popcorn, cookies, hot chocolate, lemonade are free and a gift. We just want families to not feel any financial pressure to provide an opportunity for their kids to experience Christmas.

I love to see kids come in and see the wonder on their faces of the huge, gigantic tree. Santa’s right there so they can see him. The whole thing is just fun.

Prayer Guide

DC:

Pray for a spirit of joy—that individuals, family, people can show up and experience a joyful time that is giving, it’s fulfilling, it’s immersive, it’s something they can take with them. It reminds them of the reason we celebrate Christmas. It’s the joy of Christ in our lives.

And then functionally, for things to go smoothly. There are so many so many parts to making an event like this happen, it would be great for everything to run smoothly for the staff and volunteers. And for everyone to stay healthy.

EB:

Pray for the people that are going to come who maybe haven’t set foot in a church or haven’t been here in a long time—just that they would experience the peace of Christ as they enter.

We put a really high value on people volunteering and that’s great. And it takes about 200 people to pull this thing off. But there’s also a huge aspect of, who can you come with and who can you invite to be a part of it with you? So many people volunteer for two hours and then grab dinner or something and head out.

So be praying, Lord, who would you ask that I maybe invite to come with me to walk around for an hour and a half at the event? Maybe there’s a neighbor or maybe there’s a sister-in-law with kids. And then actually walk around and grab popcorn with them and sit in the stage show and watch the Live Nativity and get on the horse-drawn wagon with them.

And then of course pray for those who are coming of their own accord.

Rock House Kids donations

Throughout the night, we will collect items for Rock House Kids, a local ministry seeking to meet the physical, emotional, and educational needs of at-risk kids in Rockford. Please bring any of the following items:

• Boxed Dry Cereal, 1 oz.
• Peanut Butter & Cheese Crackers
• Fruit Cups
• Pudding and Gelatin Cups
• Cookies
• Capri Sun Pouches
• Fruit Snacks
• Breakfast and Nutrition Bars
• Baked Chips
• 100% Juice Boxes

All items must be shelf-stable, non-perishable, non-refrigerated, and wrapped in single servings that can be eaten with the fingers.