By: Elder Aries de Vera
Reading: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.” – Isaiah 9:6
I woke up past seven this morning. I looked outside the window and saw the snow slowly falling on the ground: quiet, calm, and delicate. I dressed up, ready for worship. It’s Sunday, the Lord’s Day. I hit the road carefully, traversing the way to church. On the 401, I had The Apostle’s Take blasting through my sound system. Apostle Jonathan journeyed through the roots of our Pentecostalism, reminding me how God has led our faith from the beginning. I exited Warden Avenue, passed by the Tim Hortons on Birchmount Road, ordered a dark roast double-double, and headed straight to the chapel at 2 Delbert Drive.
This is my usual Sunday morning routine. But today felt different, in a good way. Though I’m tired and exhausted like many in the church, and though I’m cramming for physical strength, there is a joy in my heart I can’t ignore. We found Christmas.
Yesterday, the PMCC (4th Watch) of Toronto held its Christmas crusade entitled Finding Christmas. Not only did we have a heartfelt story that touched the emotions and senses of the audience, but God also gave us an astonishing outcome. His grace was overwhelming, beyond comprehension. Those who came to watch found what Christmas truly means, but so did I, along with my fellow believers. We are convinced once again of His goodness and His nearness.
A month of preparation was not enough to pull off a production like Finding Christmas. It should have been impossible, especially during this season of joyous sacrifice. But God works in the places where our strength is not enough. He performed while we rehearsed. He conducted our affairs when our schedules were chaotic. He guided us when our emotions and minds felt stretched thin. Truly, as the Word of God says in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
As the brainchild of Presbyter Joseph and Pastor Genalyn Concepcion, we, the cast and production, willingly obeyed. And obedience always brings blessing. That’s exactly what we witnessed yesterday. There were two showings of the musical play, and in both showings, people were deeply touched. They didn’t just enjoy the music, acting, or production elements – they received the message. The Gospel stood at the center, wrapped like a precious gift for everyone.
On a personal level, I was blessed to see the outcome of this work. Despite the challenges of conceptualizing and writing the material, I saw the mighty hand of God carrying us through. My goal was not only to persuade viewers to understand the story but to invite them to reflect and respond to God. For me, that is the greatest reward of writing something like Finding Christmas, drawing people closer to Jesus.
The characters of Michael, Lily, the father, and the mother represent each one of us. Their struggles mirror the different seasons of our lives. Yet in every situation, God remains constant, His message of love, hope, and salvation always waiting to be received.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.” – Isaiah 9:6
Finding Christmas taught me to be more resilient, faithful, and thankful. Christmas is still a few days away, but my heart is already full. God has already blessed me in a remarkable way.
Yes, we found Christmas!
Reflection: What does “finding Christmas” personally mean to you this year?
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