This December, we are believing that this Christmas is going to be different! Where it so often can be a tough, stretching and lonely time for many, we are convinced that we as a Christ-following community have the mandate, resources and love to “poke holes in the darkness” and light up Christmas for those around us.
Why don’t you take up our #LightUpChristmas challenge and see how many of the items you can do this December! Some are big, some are easy but we believe that small acts can make a big impact.
- GIVE AND GO
-this Christmas we are calling on you to buy a Christmas Bucket from one of our 3 congregations, fill it up with the items on the shopping list you will find inside, and then bring it back so that we can all go together on Saturday 3rd December and hand them out to those less fortunate in the Site 5 Dunoon community.
- STOP HOARDING
-Christmas is a great time to go through your cupboard and give away every piece of clothing that you haven’t worn in the last 5 months.
- GET GENEROUS
-After you’ve raided your clothes cupboard, do the same with your food pantry and have piles of tinned and canned meals in your car ready to give to any who ask for “A Christmas box”
- WATCH LESS
-resist the temptation to just hit the couch and binge watch your favourite series or movies. Ration your series watching and rather spend that time outdoors. Why not invite friends for a walk, time on the beach or a climb up Lion’s Head?
- TAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK
-see how long you can fight off the urge to check out your notifications, tweets and Instagram feeds. Rather get really social by having friends, family and neighbours over for a braai or a coffee. Once you break your social media fast, you can post a picture of the braai that you just had!
- READ THE BIBLE WITH YOUR FAMILY
-we’ve put together a #LightUpChristmas bible reading plan that kicks off 12 days leading up to Christmas. Take up the challenge to read the bible narratives for these 12 consecutive days, but don’t do it alone! Make it a family tradition each evening with your kids, your spouse or with a group of friends. Watch out for this launching on the 12th December
- INVITE A FRIEND TO ONE OF OUR CHRISTMAS SERVICES
– Stats show that most people would go to a Christmas service if they were just invited.
We have three options of Christmas services for you to bring a friend or family member to. Saturday 24th December at 6pm (Tableview) , Sunday 25th December at 8am (Milnerton) and Sunday 25th December at 9am (Tableview).
- INVITE A NEIGHBOUR TO YOUR CHRISTMAS MEAL
-this might seem daunting, but why don’t you add an extra seat at your Christmas lunch or dinner table? Christmas is a very lonely time for many, so do a little snooping with your neighbours and find out who would best benefit from an invite to join you and your family. Take the risk. After all, the worst they can say is no.