Christmas is a time of celebration, and what better way to enjoy Christmas when we celebrate it with old folks? Our church took the liberty to come out with our first mega project, by creating a Christmas event @ the park~! Held on 22nd December, it was located at East Coast Park beside the Lagoon Food Centre.

Planning for such an event was very new to us, especially when the committee members consist of Pre-U students (including the army guys). Heading the committee was our very dedicated and very experienced Uncle Gilbert, who painstakingly went through all of our amateur proposals and decisions, listening to our problems and providing solutions around it. Being the Design and Decor IC in this event, my role was to provide the tent with every single colour and attraction I can ever think of. It was good that I was able to work on this project during my offs and leaves from the army, else I may never have done so many designs up in such a short time. And with everyone's schedules tight, it was difficult to plan when there was more than 1 people missing at a time. But we are a closely knitted group, and we kept each other informed of the changes and the updates needed

And so as the event drew closer to the eventful day on 22nd December, preparation for it grew more intense. Game boards were done up and pictures were painted on it. Banners and flyers were done and reeditted and done over many times. Games changed their formats every once in a while. Materials were bought and expenditure continue to rise. But every once in a while, we would pray for this event as well, it being Christmas; the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. One thing that was very heartening was that the whole church was in this together, and were very supportive in helping in this church. We were doing it for God. We were doing it for the old folks. We were doing it for ourselves.

The day begun with me going down to Kovan to get more ornaments for the tentage. The tent was pretty large, ranging 90 feet by 36 feet (27m by 12m). Tables and chairs were neatly arranged and there was a certain elegance to the setup, be it the table cloth used, or the stage backdrop, everything felt like it was indeed Christmas. At 12pm, more things were prepared. Music slowly crept into the tent, as Christmas songs and carol played out in the speakers, and finger food were ready to be served. My decorations were by then all set up and I was busying myself helping in the other departments. At 2pm, after a word of prayer, we set off in East Coast Park, welcoming people into our tent, providing what East Coast Park cannot offer on Christmas Day.

At the corner, ZH was mending his Carnival games, and that attracted a group of young children, many of them eager to try to put a hole in one in our mini-golf set and claiming their lollypops as their prize. At the opposite side, Jeslyn was handling her station effectively, as her face-painters labouriously paint faces of children and adults alike. And as Clinton promote the event to the rest of the public, more people started to take notice of what was installed for them. Few came in and sit with us, watching performances played by our friend Junwen(excellent Jazz piano player), and doing brainteasers prepared by Jessica. It was really becoming a Christmas Day.

And even while it started to trinkle, and then rain, and then downpour, Pastor Alvin was not troubled by the change of weather, and led us in a prayer in the midst of the chaos. And sure enough, the rain did stop, as God really did hear our prayers. And so came the arrival of the old folks and the event proper slowly unfolded. There were performances played by Junwen, following by a Canto Duet. Next was a calligraphy appreciation where Esther's Dad graciously came down and painted a beautiful picture of orchids. After dinner, there was singing by Fel, Esther and Jessica, in which the duet singers sang after them. Then, as the old folks were prepareing themselves to take their leave, we presented them with gifts, and to end off at a good note, we switched off the lights and broke our lightsticks and wave them in the air as we sang carols into the night. That scene.. will never leave my memory.

There was an A-capella group who sang after the old folks left, and it brought the Christmas @ the Park event to a closure. They sang like angels, and it was definitely an honour to have them with us. And hence, 22nd December slowly disappeared into the night as we kept the logistics and accounted our stores.

I was relieved that this event is finally over. Certainly a lot was put into this event, and this being our 1st event, the next Christmas @ the park would only get better. And yet, there was also a sense of fulfillment in my heart. How does anyone celebrate Christmas in Singapore? Well, a standard answer would be to walk around in Orchard and see Christmas lights, or to go to an expensive restaurant and eat a Christmas Dinner.

For me, celebrating Christmas with the ones you love is more important than anything else. And as I send all of the old folks off to the bus that was waiting for them at the carpark during their departure, one of elderly ladies was smiling with us. Her smile covered her faces such that her eyes cannot be seen. When we made our leaves, she waved to us all the time until the bus went away. We have made Christmas for someone who couldnt have Christmas. And now, it is time to spend my own Christmas with my own family.

Blessed Christmas and have a good holiday~!