PARAMUS, N.J.—Most people remember how, as children, they looked forward to Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa and Christmas gifts. These holidays were filled with laughter, joy, and songs. Sometimes people indulge in their everyday life and forget to offer children the gift of a true Christmas celebration. Yet, for more than 30 years, the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) and the Evangelical Church of Armenia have not forgotten the children in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh during the Christmas season.
Christmas in Yerevan
During the 2015-16 Christmas season, in more than 40 towns and cities in Armenia and Karabagh, Christmas and New Year’s programs were organized in the final days of December until the end of winter vacation for children, teens, and their parents. Through these programs, God’s love and “Christmas joy” was brought to thousands of children and their families. The real message of Christmas was proclaimed through music, recitations, games, and drama with the children presenting Christ’s birth, conveying the meaning and importance of His birth, and telling of the plan of God’s salvation. Each program included a special visit from Santa distributing “Christmas joy” boxes of school supplies, socks, candy, toys, Christmas story activity booklets, puzzles, and coloring books.
Christmas in Yerevan
The highlight of the Christmas programs took place at the AMAA Center in Yerevan on Jan. 8 and 9 for more than 1,500 children and their parents. Four presentations of a beautiful and exciting drama by AMAA’s “Hayasa” Theatrical group, entitled “The Giver of Joy,” were staged and directed by Nune Abrahamyan.
Christmas in Goris
The AMAA is appreciative of all those who prayed for and contributed toward these programs, and of the volunteers who participated in the process of assembling the “Christmas joy” boxes. The AMAA especially recognizes Nelson Randolph and Al Jibilian, who coordinated the purchasing and shipping of the boxes and their contents from the United States to Armenia. Jibilian even traveled to Armenia with U.S. volunteers to assist with the packing and assembling of the “Christmas joy” boxes. Since their involvement over the last few years, the Christmas Joy Program has strengthened and continues to grow.
Christmas in Alaverdi
Source: Armenian Weekly
Link: AMAA Spreads Christmas Joy in Armenia and Karabagh