As the world prepared to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, a small congregation of the Nairobi Christian Church met at the YMCA Central in Nairobi on 21st December for the usual midweek service. However, unknown to them, this time around it was midweek with a difference.
A fair number of the disciples having had travelled for the festivity, it was only expected that a handful will come for the service, but it was encouraging that as the proceedings continued, the number swelled and the children were also part of the service.
The Church had prepared in advance a number of Christmas Carols and placed printed copies of the songs on each seat. The sweet melodious tunes of ‘Angels we have heard on high’, ‘Go tell it on the mountain’,’ Silent night! Holy night! And Away in a manger among others left the audience spiritually lifted and yearning for more.
The enactment of the manger scene with the lights off and the candles really brought to life the humble birth of Jesus Christ. Mary Ondatto says that the enactment of the dark manger brought a new view of Jesus birth. A reality of how we can take things for granted like birth of Christ in a manger. We should appreciate that we are born in a dark world but we should depend on God from day one. ‘The scene was beautiful and inspiring,’ she adds, ‘This was an awesome experience which brought a new understanding of Jesus birth to most of us who considering our backgrounds have never had candle light carols. ‘
The Lead Evangelist John Kilaha maleya, also an accomplished song leader, led the disciples and as the congregation sung, “we wish you a merry Christmas” while greeting each other; it was evident that Christ had already been born in our hearts.
