Two churches in Liaoning and Shenzhen held their 2022 Christmas celebration services in advance, due to the epidemic situation.
Ark Church in Datun Town, a suburb of Anshan City, Liaoning Province, on December 18 celebrated Christmas with proper COVID-19 safety precautions.
Church member Xu Liping preached about the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the son of God and came in the flesh to this world to save his people from their sins. He bore our sins in his body on the cross and redeemed us from the power of evil with his blood. His birth, death, resurrection, ascension, and second coming fulfilled the completion of the salvation of God.
After the sermon, the attendants celebrated Christmas together, presenting national and western instrumental ensembles, solos, choruses, and dance performances.
Wanhui Gathering Site in Longgang District, Shenzhen City, also started to hold celebrations on the same day. Beginning with the choir's praise hymn, "The First Noel", in the second service of the Sunday, Rev. Chen Dafa preached the sermon of "The Birth of Jesus Christ". He shared the advent message with four aspects, including "Mary's Virgin Pregnancy", "The Difficult Choice of Joseph", "The Angels Proclaimed Good News", and "Joseph’s Obedience of the Lord's Command".
Then the dance team of the church presented two performances, "The Evening Sacrifice" and "Rose of Sharon", while the host led the congregation in two praise hymns "Joyful Tidings Bring" and "Angels We Have Heard on High" respectively.
The church celebrated Christmas all day long and there were also other activities in the evening.
On December 15, Shenzhen Church issued a notice that the church will restart the onsite service the following Sunday, December 18. Attendants need to make an appointment on the app of "Shenzhen Religion" in advance and have a 48-hour nucleic acid test with negative results.
Nearly 10 other churches in Longgang District resumed onsite meetings last week, including Pinghu Church, Buji Church, and Longgang Church.
- Translated by Kristina Ran
