AN OPEN AIR CHRISTMAS
2020 has been a year like no other. It is fitting then, that we should have a Christmas event like no other! Early on, it became apparent that the normal plan for our Christmas Musical – big choir, big orchestra and drama, all close together on a big stage in our big sanctuary – was just not going to work. Could our choir even sing together? Yet, it is a year when people need the comfort and joy of Christmas more than ever! The isolation, anxiety and grief have taken their toll on us all. The solution? Take it outside!
Our choir has been rehearsing in the parking lot under the CLC all fall. We are six feet apart from each other and masked, but we are singing together. We’ve sweated through sultry September nights and shivered through a couple of December frosty ones. This Sunday, we’re going to turn our chairs around, face Park Avenue, and share our Christmas music and indeed the extraordinarily good news of Christmas with you all – Grace Is Born!
All you have to do is come downtown, bring a chair to sit on, a food pantry item to give, a mask to wear and a spirit hungry for the hope, peace, and joy that only the Grace of Christmas, Jesus Christ our Lord, can offer.
We will have two sessions of “An Open Air Christmas:” 2-4 PM and 5:30-7:30 PM. Both will include not only our musical which will be presented at the beginning of each session, but a 15-person nativity complete with LIVE animals, a free Christmas Llama photo booth, hot cider and cookies, and a chance to give of our abundance to those in need.
We are asking our members to bring an admission fee of a non-perishable food item for the Florida Baptist Children’s Home to help replenish their depleted pantry. Below is a list of their pantry focus for the month of December, but please feel free to bring other non-perishable items! The Children’s Home van will be on site to collect the food.
• Canned tuna/chicken
• Canned soups
• Easy mac-n-cheese
• Individually wrapped snacks
• Fruit cups
Additionally, a truck will be on-site, sponsored by the Florida Baptist Children’s Home, giving out 300 pre-packed boxes of food for those in our community who can use a helping hand right now. Walk-up food distribution will be from 2-3:30 PM and 5:30-7 PM; Drive-up distribution will be 4-5 PM, first come first served. If you know of someone who could benefit from this, please let them know!
An interpreter for the deaf will be at the 2-4 pm presentation. So – everyone, bring the kids, the family, the neighbors and let’s celebrate an “Open Air” Christmas!
Penny
