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  • Christmas Eve Service in the Park

    Underneath the Manger Scene | Tinsel Trail
  • Nativity at Big Spring Park

    Part of the Tinsel Trail in Downtown Huntsville

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The Christmas Story

  • Do you know why we celebrate Christmas today? It’s really a special story. The Nativity display overlooking Big Spring Park in Downtown Huntsville attempts to share it with us today. Take the journey to a stable in a small town 2,000 years ago and discover what made that night so unique that we still celebrate it today.
  • Many years ago, thousands of years in fact, an angel appeared and told a young woman named Mary that a very special baby was coming. This wasn’t just any baby - this was going to be God’s baby, and his name was going to mean “God is with us”. So, you can see why angels showed up and started telling people. Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph and there were angels that appeared and told him about it too. This new baby was such a big deal that angels even appeared to some shepherds and told them.
  • Pretty soon, word had spread about this special baby. Even people who lived far away began to hear about it, and some of them decided that they wanted to visit this special baby and bring him some gifts. These people who wanted to see the Baby had even heard that he was a King, so they started off on a journey to visit him. Today, we call these visitors “Magi” or “Wise Men.”

    The Wise Men knew that there was a palace in Jerusalem, so they stopped there to see where they could find this special baby that was going to one day be King. The current king, named Herod, was afraid that this new baby Jesus, would take his throne, so he asked for more information about the child, watching and waiting to see how he might ensure his continued power.
  • Some men called “prophets” told Herod and the Wise Men that the child of God was supposed to be born in a small town called Bethlehem, so the Wise Men left Jerusalem and headed off to see the Baby and bring him their gifts. When they arrived, they found the baby Jesus and his family, gave him their gifts, and went on their way.
  • When you are at the Tinsel Trail this year, look up and you will see King Herod worried about this new King, and the Wise Men on their journey to see baby Jesus! Stop by from December 17-23 for a chance to visit Herod’s palace and the marketplace in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago (you may even get a hot chocolate while there). And if you’re there December 20-21, you may see the shepherds and their animals who came to visit the baby Jesus too.

    He is the reason people all over the world celebrate Christmas, the reason for displays like the Nativity, and the reason people meet at churches like First Baptist Church of Huntsville. Jesus is the reason we celebrate, not just at Christmas, but all year long.

Christmas Eve Services

Christmas in Huntsville is focused around making the most of your holiday season and the time spent with friends and family. Every year, we find new ways to celebrate the season in time, become annual traditions.

If attending a Christmas Eve service at a local house of worship is not a part of your annual Christmas tradition, how about making this year the year you start that new tradition? There are many options to choose from, but if you don't know where to start, may we recommend you consider our friends at First Baptist Church of Huntsville? Or, you can join us at our annual non-denominational "Christmas Eve in the Park" services in Big Spring Park? For times and exact locations, check our social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.

Daily Readings for the Advent Season

The Advent season marks the beginning of the Christian Church year, a time of new beginnings. It’s a time to prepare our hearts for the arrival of the Savior, to remember that Love came down to Earth for us. We hope you find comfort in these Advent readings.

This year’s Advent Calendar features a local artist Christina of The Cardinal Collective and longtime friend Noelle Glaze of The Pen + Piper.  Each handcrafted card was created with the idea that it could be a standalone frameable piece of art as well as part of a cohesive group. Learn more about their work.

 

 

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‘Tis the Season for Giving

The best traditions are the ones that remind us that we are part of a bigger story. When we give back, whether it’s with a donated toy or a random act of kindness, we look beyond ourselves and the problems of the day – and become part of the solution. Christmas is a season of giving, of showing gratitude for our blessings.

Here are some great ideas to get you started on a season of giving. We’d love for you to share your ideas with us on the Christmas in Huntsville Facebook page. On Twitter and Instagram, be sure and use #ChristmasinHuntsville. Here are some of our favorite ideas, to get you started.

Load Christmas stockings for homeless people. Buy a few Christmas stockings, and pick out practical and fun items to stuff in them. Some ideas include gift cards to local grocery store, blankets, water bottles, toothpaste, lip balm and warm gloves or socks. Coordinate with the local homeless shelter. Watch this video to get ideas.

Help a student. Your local school is aware of students who could use a little help and encouragement, especially during the Christmas season. Adopt an individual that could use a little "happy" during this Christmas season.

Give a gift for our "unsung heroes." The teacher, mail carrier, garbage collector, librarian, military servicemen and women, your favorite store clerk... a lot of times we forget the people who are serving us every day! A simple "Thank you" or "hug" can make a huge impression. Do something to show that you recognize and appreciate their hard work.

Random acts of kindness. Some of the best moments of service aren’t planned. Here are some ideas for random acts of kindness:
• Leave groceries on someone’s doorstep
• Adopt a secret neighbor to serve or give gifts anonymously
• Rake a neighbor’s leaves
• Buy coffee for the person behind you in line
• Pay for a stranger’s dinner at a restaurant
• Leave a goodie basket on someone’s door
• Leave a kind note
• Slip a $5 bill in a coat pocket

Bring the holidays to a nursing home. Grab a group of your friends and call ahead to schedule your visit. Take cards and decorations to brighten up nursing home rooms, play an instrument or sing a few carols for the residents.

Adopt a family. Many local organizations and religious groups can help you sponsor a family in your area to shop for over the holiday season. Experience the true joy of giving!

Deliver some HOT homemade cookies to people who work on Christmas. Police stations, fire stations, hospitals and even retail stores are full of busy workers on holidays.

Volunteer or donate to a food bank. Pick up a few extra items at the grocery store for a local ministry or food bank or call and offer your time. They’re always in need of extra food and help around the holidays.

Ring Bells for the Salvation Army. Did you know that you can visit RingBells.org and pick a time and location to volunteer to be a bell ringer? Christmas shopping just wouldn’t be the same without the volunteers who ring the bells.

Sponsor a Child. Programs like Child Fund,  Save the Children, and Compassion International  allow you to sponsor children in need through a monthly donation.

Serve food at homeless shelter. Helping those who are hungry is a great way to give back using your time and talents.

Send Cards to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. What a blessing this is for those families who are battling childhood illness! Send some cards to the St. Jude patients. You will be a bright spot in their day.

Create 12 Days of Christmas for the elderly, widows, or needy families. Drop a small gift off at their door every night for 12 days leading up to Christmas. See if this doesn’t make you feel the “True Spirit of Christmas.”

Prepare a meal and take it to an elderly friend or neighbor. You can use this free “From Our Kitchen to Yours” printable for reheating instructions.

Pray. We may not normally think of prayer as service. It doesn’t cost anything, but it makes a huge impact. Commit to praying for a different family member or neighbor each night before bed from now until Christmas.

Blog

Huntsville’s Newest Tradition: Tinsel Trail Candlelight Christmas Eve Services

By Jana Conover

With thousands of visitors each year, the Tinsel Trail is one of Huntsville’s most anticipated Christmas season events. The glittering trees, festive music, and warm hot chocolate can put any Grinch into the holiday spirit. This year, there will be a new addition to the Tinsel Trail- Candlelight Christmas Eve services. Together, First Baptist Huntsville and Blue Springs Baptist will... Continued

Welcome to Christmas in Huntsville!

By Gina Hannah

As the familiar song goes, the Christmas season is “the most wonderful time of the year.” It can also be one of the busiest, and a time when it’s all too easy to get caught up in the shopping, the traffic, the parties. The frenzy often leaves us feeling less than… well… wonderful. But this season can be different. Christmas... Continued

Life Size Nativity Finds a Home Nestled on Top of the Hill in Downtown Huntsville

By Gina Hannah

A couple of years ago, Dr. Joseph Hicks and his wife, Cathy, were walking through Tinsel Trail just before Christmas, with a young girl Cathy had been tutoring. The couple asked the girl if she knew the story behind why we celebrate Christmas. The girl didn’t, so Hicks looked around for something he could use as an illustration. He saw... Continued

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