Coming together to experience the Spirit of Christmas

Jan 16, 2015

By Joseph Raj
Nearly 800 people of all, ages including migrants and non-Christians, came with their families to Dewan Holy Spirit at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit (CHS) on 20 December to participate in the festivities and experience the true spirit of Christmas. The theme for the Christmas party was A time to give.

The programme started with a short praise and worship. Dancers and singers helped to enliven the session, followed by some games.

This was followed by the combined carolling from two groups who also went house-to-house carolling until Christmas Eve.

Two people gave their testimonies on how God had changed their lives. Tan Lilian related how she was questioning God while watching her premature son dying in ICU 13 years ago. She wondered how Christians bore difficulties with cheer and hope. Eventually, she joined the RCIA and was baptized along, with her four sons, two years later.

Uncle Garry was struggling with gambling and problems with children five years ago. He started following his wife for novenas and life changed miraculously.

Msgr Bernard Paul played a video clip of Jim Reeves singing C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S and everyone joined in. Msgr Bernard then invited those who wanted Jesus to be born in their hearts to come forward while he prayed over them.

The Christmas party was the only highlight celebrated at CHS, but the joy of Christmas went beyond CHS boundaries, transcending race and religion. Before the start of Advent season, the Advent Outreach Team, consisting of a few ministries, started a project called A Time to Give. The Advent Team selected four orphanages, one old folks home, one AIDS rehabilitation centre and poor families for their project.

The residents of the homes were asked to present their wish lists for Christmas. The Advent Team gathered 462 wishes from 350 residents in all the homes. The wishes included school books, stationery, toys and even laptops. The wish lists were displayed in the Advent Room specially created for this purpose, where interested donors could pick up the lists, purchase the items requested and leave them in the Advent Room. All the wishes were fulfilled by generous donors and there were even a few extra presents.

From 13 to 21 December the gifts were distributed to the various homes. Donors had the opportunity to take the joy of Christmas to the residents and personally hand over the gifts and spend time with them. Both donors and the residents were deeply touched.