Christmas with candles 2009

On the24th of Decembers, 2009 young people from "Alpha and Omega" youth center and their friends and relatives celebrated one of the most joyful and lightest christian holidays.

This festive service was in the building of central Baptist church of Dnipropetrovsk and there were more than seven hundred people, who wanted to praise God on His birthday. On the 24th of December, according to a Gregorian calendar, millions of christians all over the world celebrate Christmas. The "Christmas evening with candles" in "Alpha and Omega" has already became the family tradition, it has been conducted during 9 years, and it is a special time of praise and worshiping God, a wonderful time for thanksgiving God for His infinite love to us and the greatest gift – baby Jesus.

"Alpha and Omega" celebrates Christmas twice: on December, 25 and January, 7 - and this is not just a tradition or contribution to the fashion, it is an expression of sincere desire of our hearts to feel special joy and peace, which are given by Holy Spirit at this time, again. Also it is a wonderful opportunity to tell others about Jesus.

To the "Christmas evening with candles" christians from different churches are invited, who invite their friends, neighbours and relatives. There are also orphans, who are always invited to come. S feeling of the special spirit of Christmas is assisted by music, decoration of hall, reading of verses from Bible about Christmas, performing of Christmas history and sermon. This Evening was lead by Aleksei Navrotsky. Music groups "X-Press" and “Zavet” took part in program of this year, and also singers - Katherine Dzen’, Vladimir Davidenko, Natalia and Victor Ionovs played the violins, musicians Aleksei and Alexander from the city of Zaporozh’e. There were many Christmas songs and music compositions, that made everyone think about the essence of Christmas again and to thank God for birth of Jesus Christ. A sermon of Nikolai Slobodyanyuk was very inspired and interesting. Letters of congratulations on Christmas from Roland Syens and Michael Zhovnir were filled with special warmth.

On this Evening we had a special action called "Warm Christmas" for orphans. Everyone, who was interested in this, could bring warm clothes (hat, scarf, mittens, socks) and give a present of a warm Christmas to those, who needs.

At the end of this Evening a hall was lighted up by hundreds of lighting candles, that were lighted up from a central candle, symbolizing the Light which given to the world by Jesus and which lights in us, as a candle in darkness. It was wonderful and unforgettable! This service was finished with a prayer of blessing by pastor Aleksei Navrotsky.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May God bless you!