Comments on: A christmas story

By: dan

dan — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 08:52:05 +0000

Thanks Janet - I saw your story on your site - I agree that it is a great way to spend Christmas. And as I was reflecting with people from work who had all of their arguments, hassles and difficulties with family etc, I was glad that I would spending a significant part of my Christmas with people that wanted to be together at this time of the year.

By: Janet McKinney

Janet McKinney — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 07:59:51 +0000

Dan

We in Maryborough (Church at Christ) had out 15th Community Christmas Dinner. We had about 100 people come, and at my table I had a man who sleeps on the street, a lady why was still grieving over the death of her fiance earlier this year, a 80+ yr old who was the most delightful conversationalist, my 73 year old Mum and husband and couple of friends who helped serve dinner.

It was absolutely delightful.

We decorated up our church hall like Christmas - including a Christmas Tree which was laden with presents for everyone (just small ones, but every year we hear of a story where it is the only present they get at Christmas).

All the food was donated - by the church community, and several businesses donate chicken, fruit and veges and bread each year.

It is a simple meal, but it is lots of fun - we even sing Christmas Carols. I go there by choice for Christmas lunch because it feels like a village Christmas, where we all come together just to have fun

Glad to hear of your adventure
Janet McKinney

By: Jon Owen

Jon Owen — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 12:38:11 +0000

Good on you guys for making what is primarily the saddest part of year for most people a little bit more bearable, maybe even hopeful!

Have a challenging 2006!

By: Lionfish

Lionfish — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 01:05:41 +0000

Thanks for sharing that Dan.

That was far removed from my own ‘middle class’ family Christmas, though something is playing heavy on my heart to put an idea into action.

Uncanny as well - “God became flesh and pitched his tent amongst us”…now that was the essense and the exact terminology used by a Pastor in his Christmas morning sermon that I attended.

It was contrasted with leadership (eg. The US president in the New Orleans flood) who comes in for a short while with promises and rhetoric and leaves…where as Christ came in ‘and pitched his tent amongst us, and lived with us, with us for the long-haul etc’.

By: dan

dan — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 23:45:34 +0000

Maybe you can join us next year, Rev. Hope you also experience the peace and relaxation of these final days of 2005.

By: the rev

the rev — Tue, 27 Dec 2005 23:34:08 +0000

Should have visited with you, sounds like my kind of CHristmas.

hope you enjoyed the few days peace afterwards.

the rev