AL AIN COMMUNITY TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD

The community of Al Ain will be given a rare opportunity to experience firsthand how many different countries and continents around the world will be celebrating Christmas this year.

Hosted by The Evangelical Church of Al Ain on Friday, 22 December 2006, an International Celebration will take place in the form of two special Christmas services (starting at 09:00 am and 11:00 am respectively) in the church sanctuary on the grounds of the Oasis Hospital.

“We live in a community with more different nationalities, languages and ethnic groups than most people will ever have the privilege of encountering in an entire lifetime”, says Rev. Brad Hillman, pastor of Al Ain Evangelical Church. “However, for most of us it will be impossible to be with our loved ones, family and friends to exchange gifts, share a Christmas meal with them or exchange gifts. We would like to invite the residents of Al Ain to be our family and friends with whom we share this very special day, while learning a bit more about each other’s unique customs and way of life”, he says.

Countries that will be “visited” as part of the celebrations include Argentina, America, South Africa, Fiji, Pakistan, India, The Netherlands and Sweden. Representatives of these nations will proudly be wearing their traditional dress, display their national flags, sing Christmas carols in their native languages and explain how they typically celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

“This event will go a long way in fostering greater understanding and tolerance for each other”, says Rev. Hillman. “We are looking forward to a day filled with fun, colour, music and festivities and trust that everybody will leave our service feeling a little less lonely – knowing they are part of a community of people that are more the same than we often care to realize”.

For more information about the celebration or church services call (03) 722-3337