Sharing Christmas as a Community
On December 6th, the small village of Christiansburg celebrated Christmas together – as a community. Kids and families joined together to celebrate the fun things at Christmas and to be reminded of the real reason to celebrate – the birth of Jesus Christ. Based on the participation and initial feedback, a new Christmas tradition has begun.

For many years, the Christiansburg Fire Department has hosted a visit from Santa Claus. Community participation had been waning for this yearly event. This year, members of the Christiansburg Church of Christ in Christian Union determined to add to this event and create something for the whole community to do together.

So this year, Christiansburg CCCU made preparations to have a community Christmas tree with a special tree-lighting ceremony. Working with local business owners at Karen’s Pizzeria, arrangements were made to place an 11 foot tree on the empty lot at the center of town. The local United Methodist Church joined the CCCU church to put together a service to lead up to the Christmas tree lighting. This service included Scripture reading and Christmas hymns and carols. After the tree was lit, kids were able to begin decorating the tree with their handmade ornaments.

Following the tree-lighting ceremony, activities at the fire house began. The local Masonic Lodge, the Christiansburg Fire Department, and the Church of Christ in Christian Union worked together to organize an enjoyable time for kids and families. Because of the great community participation, it was a great crowd that gathered there to visit with Santa, to make more decorations for the tree, to eat cookies, and to fellowship together.

With contributions from community leaders and organizations, this year’s event was a great success. Celebrating Christmas as a community was a great way to start the Christmas season.

Testimony at Daybreak Dedication

Daybreak has given my family so much in the ten months that we have been attending here. We have gained friends and confidants, clarity and closure with life’s issues, and answers to questions we were not even aware that we had.

Our journey began when my wife, Angela, was looking for a space to host her Girl Scout troop. Dr. Tipton, as gracious as he is, offered unlimited use for any and all Girl Scout business as well as storage for troop items. Dr. Tipton asked if we were currently attending a church and then proceeded to extend an invitation to us for the following Sunday. I can only speak for myself but I felt a nudge by some unseen presence giving me the distinct impression that we should not miss this opportunity.

My wife and I have been unchurched our entire adult lives. Our daughter, Amanda, did attend some Vacation Bible Schools. We had discussed finding a church but had never made it a priority. We were a bit unsure of how we would be received at Daybreak.

Angela and I were absolutely amazed as everyone here welcomed us and were genuinely pleased that we had chosen to worship with them. I have to admit that we were surprised by this. We had visited a couple of churches in the past and were not really acknowledged at all.

To put the icing on the cake, Dr. Tipton preached on a subject that touched my wife and me so deeply that we were brought to tears. It was like God had given this message to Dr. Tipton especially for Angela and me. We felt that he was speaking directly to us and no one else. Dr. Tipton had no knowledge of the troubles that we were facing at that time, yet he ministered to them ALL through his sermon that day. Both of us knew at the end of the service that we had FOUND what we HAD NOT even been looking for. God had left absolutely no doubt in our minds and in our hearts that we belonged at Daybreak and that we belonged to God and that He had been patiently waiting for us to figure that out.

I believe God has led us to Daybreak and I believe God will lead many more here. I would like to see Daybreak change the lives of people who live in this community.  I would like to see Souls saved, Love poured out, and Hearts taken in by OUR Heavenly Father and the amazing men, women, and children of this little big church called Daybreak.

Congratulations to West Central District Ministers