2007 Christmas Activities at the Apostolic Faith Church

Hempstead, New York

By Daniel Tetteh and Tayo Ajayi

Our Christmas activities for this year started on Friday, December 21, with a trip by the members of the youth choir and orchestra, the Sunday school superintendent, and Sunday school teachers, to the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, New York, to watch a performance of Handel's “Messiah” by the New York Philharmonic. It was an inspiring outing and we all had a really great time as members of the New York Philharmonic, through their performance, reminded us of the prophesies concerning Jesus, including His birth, which is the reason for the Christmas season.

After the performance, members of the youth choir and orchestra had dinner together in the city. Not only did we enjoy the good food but also the sweet fellowship among ourselves. Following dinner, we went to Bryant Park in New York City where some members went ice skating. It was a delight to watch our friends who were on the ice for the first time. We all went home excited and inspired for our upcoming Christmas program.

Our Christmas program was held on December 23 at 4:00 p.m. The title for this year's program was, “The Glory of Christmas.” The youth choir sang an arranged version of “The First Noel” to open the program. After this, the primary recorder class played some selections which included, “Meadows,” “Surprise Song,” and “Jingle Bells.” The primary choir then sang “Gentle Mary Laid Her Child” followed by a recitation about the First Christmas. Fourteen children held letters which spelled the words “First Christmas” with each letter representing a phrase relating to the birth of Jesus. The primary choir then sang “The Lord of Love Came Down.” Following the performance by the primary choir, the youth orchestra played “March into Christmas.” Tayo Ajayi played “O Holy Night” on his flute and then the youth choir sang “Let's Go Caroling,” a medley comprised of “Caroling, Caroling,” “Joy to the World,” and “How Great Our Joy.” A play was put on by the primary, junior, senior, and young adult Sunday school classes. They retold the circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus, with a highlight on the innkeeper not being able to give Joseph and Mary a room in the inn. The performers also told the story of some Bible characters that came in contact with Jesus and the impact He had on their lives. One of these characters was Zacchaeus. At the end of the play, we were all admonished that though there was no room in the inn for Jesus, we could make room in our hearts for Him. The audience was then invited to join with their voices to sing “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne.”

The youth choir sang “Christmas Glory Medley” comprised of “Glory to God” and “Gloria.” Three members of the youth choir, Grace Coker, Kristell Noezil, and Femi Odulaja were awarded scholarships for excellence in the youth choir and orchestra. The program ended with a song from the combined primary class choir and youth choir. They sang “Merry Christmas,” a medley comprised of “Here We Come Rejoicing,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” before singing “Feliz Navidad” to bring another year's Christmas program to a successful end.

We thank God for all His blessings throughout the year and as we prepare to enter into a new year it is our prayer that God will keep all these children and young people and add to their number.