his past Christmas season, our church came together in a meaningful, lighthearted event called "Deck the Halls." While it’s not the first time our church has been decorated for Christmas, organizing it under this name and how it got done was a first. Honestly, it all started out of necessity. The late Marianne Schroyer, who had such a beautiful vision for this, passed the role to her husband, Dave. When he decided it wasn’t his calling, it somehow landed in my lap—and let’s just say, artistic ability isn’t exactly my strong suit! But my goal was clear: bring people together to make decorating not just a task but a shared experience.
We switched things up by hosting the event after the second service on a Sunday. Pastor Mike rallied a group of strong volunteers, and in no time, totes were coming out of storage and decorations were being unpacked. Around 20-25 of us stayed to share a lunch featuring Miss Becky’s famous chili (a tradition in the making), and then the real work began. Trees went up, lights were strung, greenery adorned windowsills and the balcony—it was truly a team effort. Within hours, our space was transformed from ordinary to Christmas ready. The old adage rings true: many hands make light work.
The event wasn’t just ornamental but it was seeing our church community gather, work together, and find joy in the process. When we decorate, it’s not just about looking pretty. It’s a way to enhance our worship and draw us closer to the awe-inspiring truth of what Christmas means: God becoming man, dwelling among us. Every decoration becomes a reminder of this wonder.
So why do we decorate? To celebrate, to reflect, and to focus on the love of a God who came near.
