Pastor’s Corner

Connecting People with a Living Christmas Card

I admit it, I was a skeptic about Portage Faith’s Living Christmas Card. Weeks of planning for a couple of nights of “shine”? And then it all gets stored away for another year.

Last year my wife, Diane, and I, were drive-through spectators of the Living Christmas Card. This year Diane and I were Mary and Joseph, thanks to some age-forgiveness clause. I found out that the Living Christmas Card began in the 1980s, an idea hatched by Kay Hinchman with help from Dorothy Caldwell.

Why does Portage Faith do a Living Christmas Card? Community outreach? Yes! Sharing the spirit of Christmas? Yes!

Perhaps the idea is to get people to drive around the outside of the church so that they will eventually want to come inside the church and . . . grow their life of faith and serve others. Yes!

Portage Faith’s Living Christmas Card does what every Christmas card does – it connects people. Our “card” is a living, walking, flesh and blood, drive-by card. We organize ourselves with a steady stream of text messages. We talk with each other while we’re setting up, while we’re standing out in the cold, while we eat supper together. Personalities inevitably come out. We get to play a part and wear a costume. There’s something for everyone to do. It’s this “in it together,” “find all the volunteers we can,” that vitalizes the life of our church and attracts guests.

This year I learned that Portage Faith’s Living Christmas Card has a powerful lingering effect. I will never forget watching Mary Tipton cross the church driveway, flap her angel wings, and proclaim “Fear not. I bring you good news.” The “certain poor shepherds” were Roy with his shepherd-appropriate cane, Rick, hands raised in amazement, Nathan bundled up in his wheelchair, and Tom down-home comfy in his camp chair. Mary, Roy, Rick, Nathan, and Tom put themselves into their roles. I saw them in a new light. I can still see them! What if we all lived our lives like we were in a Living Christmas Card? Well, I know life is not that simple, but it’s a good thought.

In November 2023 I led a memorial service for Mae Davis. Mae’s grandson told me, “The thing I remember about this church is participating in the Living Christmas Card.” Several kids have already told me that they want to be in next year’s Living Christmas Card. It’s certainly something to look forward to.

Our deep gratitude to Bev and David Fletcher, Taylor Electric, the Horner girls (and bros), and a huge supporting cast for all their hard work. Until next year!

Pastor Bill

SEE PORTAGE FAITH’S IMAGES  OF OUR DECEMBER 2023 LIVING CHRISTMAS CARD!