It’s been a tough year. But the Eastern PA Conference’s Celebrating our Cultures at Christmas, on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 3 to 5 PM, will bring music to our ears and smiles to our hearts. It’s our virtual celebration on Zoom and Facebook Live that shares glimpses of how families, churches and cultures throughout our global village signify and enjoy Advent and Christmastide.
We’ll learn about traditions from Central America, Mexico, Korea, United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Caribbean and Native American communities, and also about the African American tradition of Kwanzaa (celebrated the week after Christmas), and the Latino celebration of Dia de los Tres Reyes (Epiphany on Three Kings Day). We’ll enjoy diverse rhythms and rhymes, spoken-word poetry, and fond holiday reminiscences of families and churches, like Mother African Zoar UMC in Philadelphia.
Special highlights include:
- a colorful slideshow depicting Christmas Nativities from around the world;
- a tour and musical performance on the Carillon housed in the belltower of First UMC of Germantown; and
- a soulful, grand finale singing of “Silent Night” by members of the Philadelphia United Methodist Mass Choir, as we all light our candles to celebrate the most sacred, hope-filled night of the year.
The event will have closed captioning and signing of “Silent Night” for Deaf viewers. And Spanish translation will be provided.
Don’t miss a single minute of this awesome, captivating celebration of faith, culture and tradition. You will witness an abundance of talent and passion that will delight your eyes and ears, and stir your heart with gratitude for the rich diversity of gifts we share as the beloved family of our Creator God and our Blessed Savior. Come join us!