Christmas event at NWP apartments in Boise

The Christmas Celebration – a community outreach event

“And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭7‬)

These words rang out from behind the puppet theater curtains as a group of teenage puppeteers from Linder Road performed the first of two Christmas-themed plays for the children at the Northwest Point Apartments in Boise, Sunday afternoon, December 4, 2022.

The Christmas Celebration was a community outreach event which included a Bible Readers Theater group reading the Christmas story from Luke 2, two puppet skits themed around the birth account of Jesus, group singing, snacks, and Christmas gift bags for each attendee.  

The first play was a creative guest show scene entitled “What’s Christmas all about?” The cast included Noel Firstly as show host and featured the famous celebrities Miss Know-it-All, Mr. Don’t-Know-a-Lot, Mrs. Remember-Well, Forgetful Francine, and Cackles the Crow.  The answer to this important question, provided by Cackles, “Christmas is Christ” was met with loud applause and the scene concluded with the puppets leading the kids in singing “The First Noel”.

During the intermission, Dr. Kevin provided a short refresher lesson on hand hygiene and sanitizer use before eating.  After this, cupcakes, cookies and cider treats were served to the children and adult attendees.

The second play entitled “The Savior’s Birth – A Nativity Play” was a re-enactment of the Luke 2 birth account narrated by Isabella and Aurora, two sisters with different storytelling styles, one narrative and the other musical.  At the conclusion of the play, the puppets led the audience in singing “Joy to the World” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

The kids were each given gift bags which included sweet and nut treats, fruits, and age-specific, biblically-themed activity and reading materials.  The event ended with the sounds of laughing children and the crunch of snowballs hitting the ground (and the kids) as they took advantage of the recent snowfall to join together in a bit of outside playtime!

It was a delightful afternoon spent making new friends and reconnecting with our ongoing friends by sharing the love of Jesus in this community, where so many of the resident families are refugees from other countries rebuilding their lives here in the Treasure Valley.  

We are very thankful to have been the hands and feet of Jesus, our Savior, Messiah, and Lord, striving in this small way to shine his light and love into our community.

“but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” (‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭11‬, ‭13‬-‭14)