True Meaning of Christmas Tour
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Those visiting Kierland Commons in Scottsdale, Az. (15205 N Kierland Blvd.), with visions of sugarplums might also get a glimpse of the true meaning of Christmas – and it comes with free hot cocoa.
“The True Meaning of Christmas Tour,” sponsored by The United Methodist Church, will be bringing its signature gift-wrapped truck to the mall on Monday, December 10 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. It will be parked off of Main Street between the Papyrus and Nobilitea shops. The family-friendly festivities are free and open to everyone. #UnwrapChristmas Scottsdale serves as one of 11 cities on the 23 day nationwide tour. Guests are invited to pick up a free hot chocolate, capture memories at an interactive photo booth and enjoy holiday music while spending time with loved ones and meeting new friends. A craft station will also be on site for decorating greeting cards that will be gifted to patients at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Attendees are also invited to share prayer requests, engage in conversations about the reason behind the season and to join congregations in their community for Christmas services and events. Volunteers from various United Methodist churches from the area will be on-hand to assist with the activities. "We want to help people remember that celebrating Christmas is not about to-do lists and shopping," shares Dan Krause, chief executive of United Methodist Communications, which created the tour in partnership with local churches. In fact, research shows that commercialization and gift purchasing are what people like least about Christmas, while spending time with family and friends and religious reflection/church are favorite activities. “Being present with others is a simple gift of hospitality we can bring to our community,” acknowledges Rev. David Rennick, Sr. Pastor of North Scottsdale United Methodist Church. “The true meaning of the season is the birth of seeing Jesus in others as we reach out to share the hope, peace, joy, and love of Christmas.” “The True Meaning of Christmas tour” will run from November 25 through December 17. Follow the tour online at UnwrapChristmas.org and #UnwrapChristmas. A consortium of churches from the metro-Phoenix area will partner with the tour. Churches that will participate are: -North Scottsdale UMC -Red Mountain UMC -Desert Mission UMC -Cross in the Desert UMC -Velda Rose UMC #UnwrapChristmas 
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Fairview Heights, IL – 11/25
Columbus, OH – 11/26 Harrisburg, PA – 11/28 Baltimore, MD – 11/29 Atlanta, GA – 12/2 Columbus, MS – 12/4 Shreveport, LA – 12/6 Phoenix, AZ – 12/10 Los Angeles, CA – 12/12 Salt Lake City, UT – 12/14 Kansas City, MO-KS – 12/17 North Scottsdale UMC Handbell Choir
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What is Christmas really about?
The question has been asked in many ways for many years. We certainly understand that Christmas is about more than unwrapping presents, decorating trees, hanging lights or eating large meals. We hear the voices of children expressing that Christmas is something more. We sense there is something deeper to Christmas.
Christians believe that Christmas is about closeness. Christmas is a celebration of God coming close to humanity in the presence of Jesus. So we celebrate by coming close to friends, loved ones … and even those who we tend to hold at a distance much of the year. At Christmastime, many people offer their time to serve close to others, to connect in special ways with friends and family, and to provide others with a feeling of belonging.
At each stop, we’re offering the chance for people to come close together and unwrap the true meaning of Christmas. We’re looking forward to sharing smiles and conversations with a lot of people. We hope to share a lot of cups of hot cocoa. And we plan on drawing people together by doing good for one another.
The question has been asked in many ways for many years. We certainly understand that Christmas is about more than unwrapping presents, decorating trees, hanging lights or eating large meals. We hear the voices of children expressing that Christmas is something more. We sense there is something deeper to Christmas.
Christians believe that Christmas is about closeness. Christmas is a celebration of God coming close to humanity in the presence of Jesus. So we celebrate by coming close to friends, loved ones … and even those who we tend to hold at a distance much of the year. At Christmastime, many people offer their time to serve close to others, to connect in special ways with friends and family, and to provide others with a feeling of belonging.
At each stop, we’re offering the chance for people to come close together and unwrap the true meaning of Christmas. We’re looking forward to sharing smiles and conversations with a lot of people. We hope to share a lot of cups of hot cocoa. And we plan on drawing people together by doing good for one another.
Kierland Commons
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Contact UsLet us know if you can join us!
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