Guess who was ‘St Nicholas’ at CFC Advent Giving?

Couples for Christ (CFC) had its first ever Advent-Giving event on November 30. CFC decided to bring members of its various family ministries together to get a better understanding and appreciation of the season of Advent.

The day began with an opening prayer led by our National Director, Mark Poon Tip, followed by a short talk on Advent by spiritual director Bishop Emeritus Malcolm Galt. He likened our mood for this session to that of waiting in a doctor’s office. For example, there is waiting in silence, anxiousness and joyfulness.

This was followed by Advent wreath making while the little children were engaged in the fun of bouncy castle and face painting.

After the wreath making the children were surprised by a visit from St Nicholas, portrayed by Bishop Galt, in full episcopal dress to match St Nicholas, who was also a bishop. And like St Nicholas, Bishop Galt made one and all happy by giving out gifts!

After all these activities the fun did not stop as Chris Garcia came to perform which led our CFC family to get on their feet to dance and sing along.

Garcia serenaded the crowd with some original songs such as ‘I Like Myself’ and religious fan favourites such as ‘You Raise Me Up’.

The next item on the programme was decorating The Jesse Tree. A short explanation on the Jesse Tree was given by two members of CFC Singles for Christ, so participants could have a better idea of what the history of this tradition meant and to help with their Advent spiritual preparation.

Each person then wrote what they had to be thankful for in 2019 and added it to the tree so that as one body we were thankful together, giving God all the glory at our Advent-Giving.

After the Jesse Tree activity everyone was served a sumptuous dinner and the day culminated with a fun, competitive and very exciting Dutch auction.

This family event was truly an amazing experience that CFC plans to have again.

—CFC