Magical Time for Hosts and Guests
During Christmastime, many of us think of cozy fires, presents under the tree and a warm home filled with family. For Family Promise of Greater Des Moines' guests, the holidays look a lot different. That’s why our host congregations make a special effort to make Christmas a joyous time for families.
Ankeny First United Methodist Church hosted families the
week before Christmas, paying extra attention to details to help families create happy holiday memories together. Coordinators Pam Heilskov Zivley and Jan Temeyer planned a week full of festivities the whole family could appreciate. One evening, guests painted wooden and paper ornaments, which are theirs to keep. They spent another evening stringing popcorn and cranberries into a garland for the tree in the dining room. Families decorated (and ate) sugar cookies and enjoyed mulled cider — a first for some of the guests! Several of the evening hosts even brought gifts for the families, especially the children.
“They are carrying out the command to care for the least of God’s people,” said Pam. “They can truly be the hands of Christ working for other children of God at a holy time.”
The First Unitarian Church of Des Moines will be hosting the families the week of Christmas, starting with a nice, big, holiday meal at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Rev. Erin Gingrich said guests will then be invited to join the service or spend time together doing crafts and waiting for Santa to arrive. The church even organized a giving tree for the children, so parents will have presents for their kids.
“It’s a wonderful, really intentional week of hosting,” said Rev. Erin. “The holidays are such a joyous time for children — and their parents — so we wanted to create a space for them to enjoy.”
The host coordinator, Susan Huber, has arranged for families to enjoy a hot breakfast Christmas morning and a traditional Christmas dinner in the afternoon. Parents will be asked if they’d like to help make the special meal so they can incorporate some of their family favorites. Christmas evening will include crafts, cookie decorating and a drive to look at the lights.
These congregations are doing everything they can to create an amazing holiday for the families they’re hosting. In the true spirit of Christmas, guests are returning the gift by giving the congregations a sense of community and a shared vision of making home on Earth better for all children of God. This time of year is especially significant for the families we serve, as well as volunteers who serve them.
As Rev. Erin said, “There are people looking for a room at the inn…sounds familiar, doesn’t it?”