Worshipping, fellowshipping and feasting with friends and loved ones are the hallmarks of Christmas.

But not this year.

This Christmas will be unlike any in recent memory, with Covid-19 restrictions in place and a sombre economic outlook kicking off the new year.  

Yet the Christmas message of Isaiah 9:6 is unchanged:

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

How are churches continuing to commemorate and share this message of faith, hope and love this Christmas amidst the social restrictions? Here are some creative celebrations you can join in:

Hear heartfelt sharing by Felicia Chin & Olivia Ong: Stories of Hope

Just because churches are unable to hold large evangelistic events does not mean evangelism should not, or cannot, take place.

After a meal at home with invited guests, watch a short, simple, heartfelt video testimony by MediaCorp actress Felicia Chin (in English with Chinese subtitles).

Though not a church, the Thirst Collective – which includes Salt&Light, Thir.st and Stories of Hope – have put together a Christmas Invitation for all to find out more about Jesus.

Instead of the message being shared in church buildings, the Collective believes this is the year to bring the message to your home. 

If you cannot invite your pre-believing friends/family to church this year, why not invite them to your home for a meal and Christmas carols sung by Olivia Ong, the singer of the Little Nonya theme song? 

And instead of having them watch an elaborate Christmas drama/musical production, why not invite them to watch a short, simple, heartfelt video testimony by Felicia Chin?

Extend them A Christmas Invitation to a meal, and anyone with a smartphone or TV can share the Gospel with them.

Candlelight service at home: Victory Family Centre 

Invite your friends and have a cosy candlelight Christmas service at home.

Victory Family Centre will be celebrating the joyous occasion with its very first Christmas candlelight experience online.

In previous years, its congregants and visitors held candles and passed the flame to one another while Christmas carols were sung on stage. Though this event will now be moved online, VFC is encouraging its families to host their loved ones and friends in their homes while tuning in to its Christmas candlelight service on December 24 and 25.

The candlelight service would be live-streamed at three different timings: 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Viewers can still continue to light up candles at home while carols are sung online. 

VFC’s large-scale Christmas events of the past included the huge “Singing Christmas Trees” (carollers arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree) at the then-World Trade Centre and National Stadium in the 80s and 90s. 

Pastor Paul Lim from VFC told Salt&Light: “We may not be able to celebrate Christmas in a big way this year. But like that first Christmas, the same message of love, joy and peace can be replicated in our homes with family, friends, and the community at large.” 

The worship team at Victory Family Centre recording its Candlelight Service.

Catch the live-streaming of VFC’s Christmas candlelight service here and on its YouTube and Facebook pages. Those who wish to join a small Christmas gathering can contact VFC here.  

Prayers on the tree: Cathedral of the Good Shepherd

Those who submit Advent prayers online will have their petitions hung on the Christmas trees in front of the church.

The historic Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in the heart of downtown Singapore is celebrated for its annual brilliantly lighted angels on display around its Queen Street compound during the yuletide season. The church usually also features an elaborate, animated Bethlehem village with a full nativity scene.

Though the church is closed to the public this year, the Cathedral continues to support its community. People can submit a 10-word prayer intention or request online, and the petition will be displayed online and then hung on Christmas trees in front of the church.

Families with children can also put together their own little nativity scene at home by printing out DIY cutouts of the various characters and scenes from the church’s website. Printed die-cut copies are also available in the Cathedral. The nativity scene is a reminder of God’s tender love as he comes to us as  a vulnerable baby, bringing hope and joy.

The church will be moving its events online this year, with a video recording of carols and a children’s party on Zoom. Its annual Christmas Pageant – the story of Christmas – is also recorded and posted online this year.

A cut-out of the DIY nativity scene provided by the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd for use at home. Baby Jesus is traditionally only put up during Christmas.

Said Ms Jeslynn Seah, who is in charge of Communications and Pastoral Services at the Cathedral: “It’s important to celebrate Advent and prepare our hearts for Christmas, especially when we aren’t clearing leave or going on a holiday.

“This year we are at home with a little less stress of holiday packing. And as we spend more time with our families, we are reminded to treasure that fact that God is with us.” 

More information on its Christmas events can be found here: https://cathedral.catholic.sg/xmas2020/

BFF outreach: 3:16 Church

Children from 3:16 Church tie-dying shirts with their friends.

Instead of putting up a skit or having a large Christmas party, as they have done in previous years, children from 3:16 Church have been brainstorming and organising their own mini Christmas outreach.

Called BFF Adventures, the aim is to introduce their Best Friend Forever (BFF), who is Jesus, to their other BFFs in school or in the neighbourhood. The children will host their own groups of five to do the activity that they have chosen, whether it is a Beyblade competition, an Among Us game, a jewellery making session or a sports outing.

A few of the children have also written and drawn their own gospel tract – customised for children – to be given out to their friends. 

Said the 3:16 Kids Ministry leader, Debbie Yow: “We wanted the children to be responsible for their own generation and reach out to their own generation. There is no ‘junior Holy Spirit’ and the way they invited their friends is so organic that they are inspiring the adults.

“Empowering the kids to do their own outreach is a powerful way for them to experience God.” 

Join the children from 3:16 Church at their Christmas service on Dec 20 by registering here by Dec 16.

Carolling in the living room: St George’s Church 

The nativity scene as part of the Christmas decorations at St George’s Church.

Those who prefer to attend Christmas services in person will have reason to cheer with St George’s Church holding a total of seven services on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day.  

The historic landmark along Minden Road in Dempsey is multiplying the number of services they will be holding so as to offer more opportunities for people to attend. 

Those interested to come in person for its Christmas Eve family services at 4pm and 6pm, Christmas Eve communion services at 9pm and 11pm, as well as Christmas day services at 8am, 10:15am and 5:30pm, will need to  register for a slot here. 

As worshippers are not allowed to sing in church nor can the church have live music, its two Carol events – Carols by Candlelight  and 9 Lessons and Carols (with choirs of adults and children) – will be pre-recorded and offered online with an encouragement for people to invite their friends over to watch and sing together.

Rev Ian Hadfield, vicar of St George’s Church, told Salt&Light: “Over this year of the pandemic, we are lacking in close personal relationships – the meeting of people face-to-face and enjoying what that means.

“At Christmas, we celebrate what is often taken for granted, that God became human in Jesus. This Christmas in 2020 we are reminded that God joined humanity, joined a family, met people face to face and was willing to be exposed to the diseases and ills of our world.” 

Christmas in cell groups: Faith Community Baptist Church

FCBC is inviting its worshippers to hold their Christmas celebration at home.

Faith Community Baptist Church is celebrating Christmas in cell groups, with pre-recorded Christmas programme premiering on its YouTube channel on Dec 18 at 8pm.

Senior Pastor Daniel Khong will lead the viewers in a time of games, Christmas carols and thanksgiving, as well as sharing a Christmas message.

Cell groups and families can gather with friends for their own Christmas party and tune in to the programme at the same time. It will be structured in a way to allow for those watching to also interact with one another.

The programme is child-friendly, and will be available in three languages – English, Chinese and Hokkien. After the premiere on Dec 18, all three videos will be kept posted on its YouTube channel for rewatching or for screening at additional parties held at other times.

If you would like to join a Christmas party, leave your details here. Or host your own party and join the church live on YouTube on Dec 18. 

Celebrations at migrant worker dormitories: Tamil Methodist Churches

Migrant workers putting up a Christmas skit at Ang Mo Kio Tamil Methodist Church last year.

Seven churches under the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference (ETAC) will be holding Christmas celebrations with migrant workers at their dormitories. 

Apart from sharing the Christmas story, there will be motivational talks, games, goodie bags and gifts. 

About 250 migrant workers are expected to join in at each dormitory.

Volunteers from other churches or members of the public who are keen to help out can contact Wilson Sampath at [email protected] or 9009-5640. 

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