Every Christmas, some seekers, out of curiosity, attend church for the first time to experience the true spirit of Christmas.
Brother Wang has been a Christian for fifteen years, and he vividly remembers that unforgettable Christmas Eve in 2009. Coming from an impoverished family, Brother Wang had to drop out of school before finishing junior high to support his family. He went to work in a southern China city, where he toiled for over a decade without fundamentally changing his fate, and experienced the full range of life's flavors.
On Christmas Eve in 2009, he wandered the streets after work, with nothing particular to do. He noticed a church packed with people and, out of curiosity, went in. The warm reception from the church staff and the cozy atmosphere of the Christmas Eve service deeply moved him. Although he didn't quite understand what the pastor was saying, he was infected by the fervent atmosphere when the call to respond came during the church service, and resolutely went up to receive the pastor's blessing.
Brother Wang said that he felt an immense joy after that night. Since then, he has attended church activities every week, gradually understood Christianity, and accepted the gospel. Currently, Brother Wang serves in the church, becoming a capable fellow worker.
For Sister Zhang, Christmas is one of the happiest holidays of the year. Every Christmas, she would go to various shopping malls and amusement parks with her close friends, enjoying a cheerful Christmas.
One year, a new colleague, a Christian, joined her company. As Christmas Eve approached, this colleague hoped their coworkers would visit a church to experience the Christmas atmosphere. Sister Zhang decided to try something different that Christmas Eve.
Upon arriving at the church, she was captivated by the pastor's sermon. Although Sister Zhang came from a well-off family and lived comfortably, she felt a deep spiritual emptiness. Despite enjoying herself every Christmas, she always felt something was missing. After attending the church service, she found her soul became fulfilled. Soon after, she accepted the gospel.
Ms. Wu has a favorable view of Christianity, but due to rational considerations and some family relationships, she has not yet become a Christian. However, she has a good impression and often recommends that others visit a church.
This is mainly because of her experience on Christmas in 2006 when she entered a church. She was not only attracted by the enthusiasm of the believers but also deeply moved by an incident. While taking photos in the church, she accidentally lost her bag. With the church packed with people, it would have been very difficult to retrieve her belongings. However, a sister in the church, upon learning of the situation, spent a significant amount of time and effort to help her find her bag, which left Wu deeply touched. This experience made her first visit to the church particularly memorable.
- Translated by Oliver Zuo
