Good News - December 2018

When my daughter was younger, we’d bake a cake together and decorate it to say, “Happy Birthday Jesus!” Then after dinner, we’d bring out the cake and sing Happy Birthday to Him! Joyce Feldman, Founder, BiG Children’s Foundation, Inc. We love serving our church family and the community for LOTS of Christmas services! So on December 26 we have a tradition called “Pajama Day.” We stay in our pj’s all day, eat leftovers, watch movies and celebrate all the amazing memories made during the Christmas season. Julie Mullins, Pastor, Christ Fellowship Every Christmas we had a tradition that my son Justin would put the first orna- ment on the tree and my daughter Lindsay would put the angel on the top of the tree. I remember one year as the kids were in their twenties I didn't think they would want to continue with this tradition and set up the entire tree alone. A lesson learned...traditions must carry on. Oh yes, I took every ornament off the tree so Justin could put on the first ornament and Lindsay could put the angel on the tree. Linda Giambattista, Executive Director, Taylor's Closet When our children were younger, my husband and I would make sure our chil- dren had all the presents and toys, but we also wanted to include special trips or events that would make the holidays extra special. As they grew into young men, we realized they did not always remember the presents they received, but they cer- tainly remembered the memories we made and the places we went. Now that we are grandparents, we want to give our children and grandchildren memories, not gifts. So we go to special places and events such as the Ft. Lauderdale Christmas Pageant; cruises down the intracoastal waterway to see the Christmas lights; live productions of “Cinderella” at the PerformingArts Center; Disney on Ice; and a new one this year – the new Ft. Lauderdale train ride on the "Polar Express." Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College The McDonald Family's unique Christmas tradition: We have been collecting Snow Village® for over 30 years, and November 1st we begin setting up the village. It helps us anticipate the season and adds the nostalgia of Christmases past, along with a little "snow," as we remember the White Christmases we enjoyed growing up in Canada and Michigan. Nancy McDonald, President/CEO, Hope Women’s Centers Growing up in a Ukrainian community in Cleveland ,Ohio, we had a tradition of bundling up and going out caroling door-to-door, singing old Ukrainian carols and carrying a large Star of Bethlehem. People would enjoy hearing the old carols in their native tongues and would reward the carolers with cookies and chocolates. It was a blessed and joyous time for all involved. Oksana Horton, Artistic Director, Revelation Ministries Our family’s most unique Christmas tradition is making our rounds to both sides of the family to exchange Christmas gifts and share in the excitement of opening gifts and adding a few pounds by enjoying good old fashioned Christmas meals. O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center Most of our traditions are the usual ones than many others do, Operation Christmas Child, Christmas Eve service, breakfast Christmas morning with the whole family, and so forth. This year, we are starting a new tradition that my son felt called to do. We are putting together Christmas Backpacks for the Homeless. In them, we are placing a Bible, personal care items, non-perishable healthy snacks, water and a Christmas Card, with a personalized message. We have de- cided to distribute them to those on the streets during the week of Christmas. We are hoping to build upon this yearly. Patricia Colangelo, EdS, Director of Operations – Florida, Trinity Interna- tional University My family’s favorite Christmas tradition for the past 15 years is getting to do archery at God’s Little Acre’s (a ministry in Coconut Creek that serves children with special needs and their families) the Saturday before Christmas. We shoot the bow and arrow with these special children (most of whom are in wheelchairs). When I put my hand over their hand to help them pull back the string on the bow, I feel as if “my hand is on Jesus’ hand” (Matthew 25:40). Then they all receive a “Jesus Loves You” gold medal! We thank God for the privilege to be a part of these precious children's lives!!! Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder, SAINTS of Florida Homeschool P.E. and SAINTS International Sports Ministry Christmas morning when our children were young was all about trying to bring the real meaning of Christmas together with the joy and excitement of giv- ing gifts and having some great family time. So before any gifts could be opened, we would read the Christmas story from Matthew. Then after the gifts were all opened our boys got to hunt for the “little green pickle.” The one who found it was rewarded with a special gift, and as German folklore would have it, good fortune for the rest of the year! Romney C. Rogers , Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler LLP Great Christmas Tradition: meeting on the west coast beach of northern Florida every other year for a week in three beach houses, with about 40 family members from my wife’s side of the family is a blast that we have been doing for years. Lots of food, activities, golfing, swimming, games, singing, dancing and acting silly while we’re doing it. Great memories. It used to be every year, but changed to every other year a few years ago. Ron Bramos, Senior Pastor, Victory Life Church Wants to Know… Don Campion Doug Sauder Fred Scarbrough Gita Santangelo JoAnne Daudt John Offerdahl Joyce Feldman Julie Mullins Linda Giambattista Dr. Mary Drabik Nancy McDonald Oksana Horton