By Elder Aries de Vera
Reading for the day: John 3:16
I’ve written countless materials over the years. I had a book of poetry from my college days. I have a few screenplays, teleplays, documentaries, and featured videos created for the Church’s media ministry. I’ve done hundreds of hosting and program scripts. I’ve written more than fifty stage plays and musicals both in Manila and here in Canada, not to mention the many articles published across different platforms.
But among all these, one material stretched me the most, both in form and content, and that is Finding Christmas.
At first, all I wanted was to write something that converged the whimsical world of The Grinch, the wonder of Christmas, and the power of salvation done musically. But my first draft was politely dismissed by our creative team. I understood why. Bringing a green, mischievous creature like the Grinch into a church play, complete with his outrageous personality, was not exactly ideal.
Then came the bigger challenge: How do I create a Christmas musical that feels different, fresh, and meaningful?
For generations, people across the world have retold the same stories, sung the same songs, and watched the same productions. I couldn’t simply pattern the play after well-known Christmas stories because audiences would immediately recall the originals. After much evaluation, feedback, and navigating the limitations of both cast and production, I finally found the direction I had been searching for.
And thus, Finding Christmas.
For its synopsis, I’ve written:
Finding Christmas is a heartfelt story of forgiveness, hope, and redemption. It follows Michael, a man who has spent most of his life resenting the very season others cherish. For him, Christmas is a painful reminder of loss, betrayal, and broken promises. Haunted by his past, Michael has built walls around his heart, shutting out both people and faith.
Everything begins to change when he crosses paths with Lily, a woman whose quiet strength and unwavering faith challenge his bitterness. Through her compassion, Michael begins a journey of healing—rediscovering joy, faith, and the meaning of forgiveness.
As Christmas approaches once more, Michael faces a choice: remain imprisoned by the ghosts of his past, or embrace the hope of a new beginning. In finding Christmas, he discovers something far greater—the power of grace, the beauty of redemption, and the peace that only forgiveness can bring.
But what makes Finding Christmas so meaningful to me, beyond its story, are the lessons God revealed in the process of writing it.
First, I realized that every challenge is simply a doorway to another chance. If the first draft fails, write another. If the idea doesn’t work, reshape it. Life is full of second, third, and even fourth chances. God, in His mercy, continually gives us opportunities to rise, to change, and to find answers even when we feel stuck. The characters in Finding Christmas reflect this truth, they stumble, they struggle, but eventually they find light. And that is true for all of us. We, too, are always being gently led toward hope.
Second, this project revealed to me the deeper power of forgiveness. If God can forgive us, completely and compassionately, who are we to withhold forgiveness from others? His forgiveness comes with a promise. When we repent sincerely, He forgives instantly. And He assures us of salvation. As written in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This is the very heart of Finding Christmas. It is not merely a musical play; it is a reminder that the true meaning of Christmas is not found in presents, lights, or traditions. It is found in love, hope, and forgiveness – the very gifts Christ brought when He came to save us.
Today, December 6th, the PMCC 4th Watch of Toronto will present a musical play entitled Finding Christmas. It is our earnest prayer that every person who witnesses it will not only enjoy the story, the music, and the performance, but will truly find Christmas – the Christ who heals wounds, restores joy, and offers redemption to all.
May those who watch discover that Christmas is not a season. It’s about a Savior. And He has been waiting for us all along.
Reflection: If you could “find Christmas” in a new, deeper way this year, what would you hope to discover about God, about others, and about yourself?
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