What would make for a better Christmas?  Perhaps it would better weather – snow on Christmas Eve, or better presents under the tree, better family times, better parties, better decorations, a better recipe for that stuffing that no one ate last year, not even the dog!

But what if a better Christmas was not about improving our Christmas game?  What if it was about addressing the deep longings of the heart for beauty, meaning, life, love?  Come join us in our Christmas journey as we explore a better Christmas by considering a better beauty that is offered, better answers to our deepest longings, a better journey in life than we could design on our own, and a better joy and hope that is tied to Jesus who has come among us. 

• Holly Jolly Outreach - Dec. 1, Black Mountain, 5:30 pm

  Sassafras on Sutton - Outside the Second Floor Entrance

A team of evangelists and youth will partner to share the joy of Christ with others, including gifts, crafts, and books for children! 

• Children’s Christmas Pageant - Dec. 3,  Graham Chapel, During Worship

The children of Christ Community, dressed as shepherds, angels, magi, will be sharing the Christmas Story through word and song as welcome the season of Advent with a special presentation in worship on Sunday morning.  Hear the tidings of comfort and joy from our children as they put on display for our 8:30am and 11am worship service the Good News of Emmanuel.

• Thirst: Hope in the Darkness -  Dec. 5, Chapel of the Prodigal, 7 pm

The Christmas season doesn’t offer much in the way of lament.  Yet the Christmas story is full of unfulfilled longings, broken dreams, of a “people walking in darkness.”   Join us on Tuesday Night, December 5^th, as we cast our hopes and our fears, our fatigue and fallenness at the feet of our Savior.   This will be a special time of music, prayer, and scripture as we cry out our greatest longings to a God who is with us in all of the hard places of life.   Let’s be honest before the Lord together, and invite the Lord to minister to all of the places in our lives that are broken.  Invite a friend that you know may be walking in a difficult place or perhaps has experienced a loss over this year.   Meet us in the Chapel of the Prodigal at 7pm as we invite the light of Christ to overcome the darkness!

• Christmas Cantata - Dec. 10, Graham Chapel, 5 pm

“A Christmas Collage:  The Way, He Comes”

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and scripture as the choir and orchestra present to us the greatness of our God breaking through into our world.  Familiar hymns, ancient texts with new musical settings, and a new Christmas song that marvels at how God has come for us in a manger.  You won’t want to miss this opportunity to participate in this year’s Christmas Cantata as we declare together at the end of our performance:  “He rules the world!”   Invite a friend to this festive evening of praise in Graham Chapel at 5pm on Sunday, December 10^th.

• Children’s Movie Night: Elf - Dec. 15, Gaither Fellowship Hall, 5:30 pm

Children's Ministry will be hosting their annual FAMILY movie night in the fellowship hall of Graham chapel. We will be watching the movie Elf this year. The night will start at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided. Please bring a sweet treat to share. Dressing up is encouraged as well as bringing a special stuffed animal to snuggle with as you enjoy the movie and fellowship.

• Christmas Brunch - Dec. 17, Gaither Fellowship Hall, Between Services

Join the church family for Christmas fellowship in Gaither Fellowship Hall! Bring a brunch item to share!

• Christmas Eve Morningand Candlelight Service - Dec. 24, Graham Chapel, One Service 11 am / Graham Chapel, 7 pm

Bookend your Christmas Eve on Sunday, December 24^th with worship in the morning at 11am and a Candlelight Service in the evening at 7pm in Graham Chapel.  It promises to be a day filled with singing and hearing the message of a better joy and a better hope that is found in Jesus Christ.   All of your favorite Christmas Hymns and a time honored tradition of singing “Silent Night” with the chapel filled with flickering candles.   Come, joyful and triumphant!