Every advent season, the members of the Cross Roads Presbyterian Church in Monroeville, eagerly await the "posting of names." For over 10 years now, Cross Roads has participated in a holiday gift giving program through East End Cooperative Ministry. At Cross Roads, the program is called the "Gifts of the 4th Wiseman." Based on the story by Henry Van Dyke in which the 4th Wiseman, Arteban, gives away all that he has to those in need, this program provides gifts for the children of the East End.
At Cross Roads, the program is sponsored by the Deacons and in late November, they post the names and wish lists of the children. This year, there were over 80 names (first names only!) with a list of three gifts each. On Sunday, December 10th, the children of Cross Roads heard the story of the 4th Wiseman and then, with their parents, brought the gifts forward to be blessed. The chancel was heaped high with beautifully wrapped packages and at the end of the service, a "fireman's brigade" was formed down the center aisle to pass the packages to a van, waiting outside the door. It is just one of the ways the congregation at Cross Roads prepares for the coming of the Christ Child.
1 comments:
That's an excellent tradition that should be much more widely practiced. Thanks for sharing the idea.
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