Ablaze Christmas Party
Christmas. Many call it the best time of the year. It is a time of joy, love, giving, gratitude, and above all, family. On the 16th of December, 190 people came to enjoy and experience the annual celebration with the Ablaze family. One could call the time spent together magical, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Fun, laughter and cheers were spread out all over the Hope Sanctuary (the party venue) on that fateful Saturday evening. In fact, it was more than spectacular; it was epic.
The festivities kick started with a round of games, breaking the ice among the members of the audience. Different people were called out onto stage to perform a series of activities carried out in varied categories, such as the “fastest”, the “longest” and the “punniest”. Prizes were given to the winners of each category. Later, Aaron, our youth leader, played a little slight-of-hand card trick on the crowd, using it to show us how our faith and sin go hand-in-hand. A video presentation and a dance performance ensued soon after. The crowd was intrigued. I know I was. The excitement in the air was practically tangible.
After the presentations came to a close, Aaron wrapped it all up with a short prayer and that was when the fun really began. Out in the coffee talk area, food had been prepared and everyone was lining up just to get a bite. There was spaghetti, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, cream puffs, potato wedges and chicken fingers, fish balls, and cheese cake. Blue lagoon was served as well. In the midst of all the refreshments, game booths were set up all over the hall and different games and activities were carried out at each one. The games included life-sized snakes and ladders, a paper plane game and a twist of ‘pin the tail on the donkey’. There was also a station for gifts, whereby a person could pick a number from the Christmas tree and receive a gift with the same number attached. The queues for each station were close to endless, but everyone was more than willing to wait just for their shot at some holiday fun.
Pictures were being taken everywhere. I suppose you could say that by doing so, we’d be keeping these precious memories with us forever. And indeed, this year’s Christmas party is unforgettable. The night ended with 3 salvations! Praise the Lord! An astonishing 190 people not only came for the celebration, but also got to learn more about the history of Christmas and what it is truly about. It certainly is a time for love and cheer, for laughter and family. But more than that, it is a time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That message was definitely conveyed this year, and hopefully it planted a seed in all the newcomers’ and visitors’ hearts.
With the coming and passing of Christmas marks the end of 2017. In hopes that the seed planted that beautiful night will grow, may each and every member of the Ablaze family continue to carry out their mission and vision: to raise a Christ-centered generation that radiates God’s love wherever they go. This event was just the beginning. As this chapter of the book ends, I can’t wait to see what is to come.
Ablaze, Hope Kuching