Mary and Jesus, part of the Dundarave Nativity.
The Dundarave Festival of Lights in West Vancouver does an admirable job of combining seasonal and Christian elements.
Their mission is “bringing light, goodness and beauty into the darkest days of the year,” while also adding ‘the ultimate Canadian Christmas’ just below the main header.
Throughout the week you can see a small forest of decorated Christmas tree along the beach. The Forest of Miracles features “more than 150 beautifully decorated Christmas trees lining the West Vancouver Waterfront from the Grosvenor Ambleside Galleria to Dundarave Beach. Each tree is decorated by a local family, business, church, school or organization.”
Upcoming Saturday concerts look enjoyable:
- Nativity & Paddle Songs (Dec 9, noon – dusk)
- World Christmas (Dec 16, noon – dusk)
- Christmas Bonfire, with carols (Dec 23, 4 – 8 pm)
A nativity scene is part of the festival:
The Dundarave Nativity is the labour of love of two master carvers, a tender witness to hope fulfilled and a joy that defies description.
Carved of ancient red cedar and displayed on Dundarave Beach for generations, these figures tell the story of the first Christmas. The figures show the faces of all races.
Bill Seminoff with the Dundarave Nativity; several of the carvings are his.
This speaks to the power of this moment, the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, that a child would be born of a virgin mother and he would be called the ‘Wonderful Counsellor,’ ‘Mighty God,’ ‘Everlasting Father,’ ‘Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:7) . . .
The renowned Frank Carius carved the original setting – the Madonna and Child, Joseph, one king, a shepherd, a lamb and the archangel – and finished them with oil. . . .
Curated by the Dundarave Festival, Master Carver Bill Seminoff restored the original carvings, stripping off layers of lead paint and bringing them back to life. In 2012, Seminoff completed the setting with Caspar, who presents to the infant a gift of myrrh. . . .
The carvings have been blessed by the Elders of the Squamish Nation, because they are a labour of love that speaks to an inexhaustible grace.
Go here for the full text.
The Chosen: Holy Night
Local theatres will feature Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night next week. Faith Films described the movie:
A young mother labelled impure. A shepherd boy considered ‘unclean.’ Experience Jesus’ birth through their eyes as Christmas with the Chosen: Holy Night blends The Chosen’s two special episodes, The Messengers and The Shepherd, into one new remastered and re-scored story.
Plus, a never-before-seen performance from Andrea and Matteo Bocelli highlights seven musical performances and two beautiful new monologues.
The special also includes the most fan-requested performances from the previous two specials: Brandon Lake’s ‘Gratitude,’ Matt Maher’s ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing,’ Bonner Family’s ‘How Great Thou Art,’ Zach Williams’s ‘Go Tell It,’ One Voice Children’s Choir’s ‘What Child is This’ and the ‘Joy to the World’ finale featuring Phil Wickham and Maverick City Music.
Writing for Light Magazine, Marion Van Driel said:
If you are skeptical about productions with biblical themes, be encouraged. Launching Season 4 in January, The Chosen, now a global phenomenon, challenges the stigma often surrounding faith films. Creator, writer and director Dallas Jenkins and the entire team are passionate about offering excellent, top-tier content to both the curious and the long-time believer. They succeed in every aspect, contextualizing the narrative in a realistic rendering of culture and humanity during first century Israel.
The disciples are vulnerable to their weaknesses, struggling with Jesus’ divinity, with faith and with each other. It’s not hard to relate. We meet the perfectly human and divine Jesus (played by Jonathan Roumie) who brings deep compassion and understanding – interspersed with a healthy sense of playfulness – to the world He loves. The series provides a close-up of the politically motivated climate affecting religious and government leaders who feel threatened by Jesus’ miracles and popularity.
The Chosen has become a workplace water cooler topic, with 600 million episode views in 175 countries. Now dubbed in 50 languages, it is moving towards a goal of 600 subtitle translations and one billion views. The series is credited by critics and viewers alike for its historical and biblical accuracy, stirring drama, genuine humour and life-changing impact.
Go here for the full article, and here for links to theatres and show times.
Ignite Vancouver
Roger Helland (left), with David Koop, and Fran and Ray Duerksen.
There has been more prayer during our church service over the past few weeks, and that is quite possibly due to the influence of Ignite Vancouver, which took place November 17 at Broadway Church.
Pastor Ray Duerksen told leaders in the afternoon session that there are three kinds of churches:
- Those with no prayer.
- Those with prayer, maybe scheduled: “Better, but not that good.”
- Churches of prayer: “God doesn’t want a visitation; he wants a habitation.”
Other speakers reflected a similar perspective, and there were ample opportunities for prayer during the gathering, which was co-sponsored by the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, National House of Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation Network, and Vineyard Canada.
Local hosts were pastors David Koop of Coastal Church and Darin Latham of Broadway Church.
Some 700 people gathered for Ignite Vancouver’s evening worship and prayer.
Roger Helland, the EFC’s Prayer Ambassador, and one of the key planners of the event – one of several across Canada – said:
About 200 gathered for the free afternoon seminar to explore how to cultivate a culture of prayer in the local church.
Pastors Ray and Fran Duerksen of Church Renewal International (Steinbach, Manitoba) and Jacob George of Centre Street Church in Calgary offered teaching and stories, followed by small and large group prayer for empowerment and then a free catered dinner.
The evening of public prayer and worship, focused on unity and spiritual awakening, drew about 700 people. They came from a wide assortment of churches, cultures, languages, ministry organizations, traditions and generations – all assembled as a colorful mosaic of the Lord’s people joining together in exuberant Jesus-centred prayer and worship.
Duerksen said, “Desperation is from God,” and maybe for the church in Canada, adding “in ministry, if it ain’t got humility, it can’t be used.” He encouraged the gathered leaders to share eight renewal practices (see image).
A video recording of the evening program is available at TheEFC.ca/Ignite.
Nov 2023
Prayer for UN Climate Change Conference – November 30, 2023 - December 12, 2023 at 9:00 pm - 9:15 pmDec 2023
A Christmas Carol (5 shows) – December 7, 2023 - December 10, 2023 at All Day
Exploring Social Justice in Health Care – December 7, 2023 at 12:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Book Launch with Loren Wilkinson: At the Centre of All Mysteries – an introduction to Circles and the Cross – December 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Glow, with the Amabilis Singers and guests – December 8, 2023 - December 9, 2023 at All Day
Presents and Presence: Daniel Whitehead – December 8, 2023 - December 10, 2023 at All Day
The Christmas Express: Singing Christmas Tree (10 shows) – December 8, 2023 - December 10, 2023 at All Day
First Christmas Experience – December 8, 2023 - December 10, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Journey Home Community: Once Upon a Starry Night – December 8, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Songs for the Season – December 8, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
West Coast Symphony Orchestra: Holiday Magic – December 8, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Good News (3 concerts) – December 9, 2023 - December 10, 2023 at All Day
2023 Lighthouse Advent Luncheon – December 9, 2023 at 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Dundarave Christmas Fair: Nativity & Paddle Songs – December 9, 2023 at 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Carols and Bells – December 9, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Christmas Sing-along Concert – December 9, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Messiah in the Valley, Georg Friedrich Händel – December 9, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Missions Under Discussion – December 9, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Sing-Along Messiah with United Voices Choir – December 9, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir – December 9, 2023 at 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Christmas Lullaby: Maddalena's Descant Women's Choir – December 9, 2023 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Holy Night Christmas Ballet (2 shows) – December 9, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Christmas Grand Services – December 9, 2023 - December 10, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Songs of Winter – December 9, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
A Festival of Carols – December 9, 2023 at 7:45 pm - 9:00 pm
Chantez Noël – December 10, 2023 at 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Taizé Contemplative Service – December 10, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Blue Christmas – December 10, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Abendmusik Vesper Choir: Advent 2023 Vespers – December 10, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: We Three Queens – December 13, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Regent College Bookstore Sale – December 14, 2023 - December 16, 2023 at All Day
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – December 14, 2023 - December 23, 2023 at All Day
BEZ Open Mic, with Russ Rosen (Thursday evenings) – December 14, 2023 - December 21, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Christmas With Chor Leoni (six shows) – December 15, 2023 - December 18, 2023 at All Day
Good Tidings! A Good Noise Gospel Christmas (3 concerts) – December 15, 2023 - December 16, 2023 at All Day
Christmas Tales: Fireside Edition – December 15, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria with classical Christmas favourites – December 15, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Christmas With We Are Messengers – December 15, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Jazz Vespers: Christmas Jazz - Quintessential Jazz – December 15, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
North Shore Community Christmas Dinner (volunteer opportunities) – December 16, 2023 at All Day
Dundarave Christmas Fair: World Christmas – December 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Hope Alight – December 16, 2023 at 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Christmas at RPC – December 16, 2023 - December 17, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Antonio Vivaldi's Gloria with classical Christmas favourites – December 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale Christmas Concert – December 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Messiah in the Valley at Good Shepherd – December 16, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Christmas Presence (four shows) – December 17, 2023 - December 19, 2023 at All Day
Home Alone on the Big Screen – December 17, 2023 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Nine Lessons and Carols – December 17, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Poems and Carols – December 17, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens – December 17, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Gloria Dei Chorale Christmas Concert – December 17, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Multicultural Festival of Carols – December 17, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
In The Longest Night – December 20, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
FAITHx Vancouver 2023: A Night of Hope & Encouragement – December 20, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Lessons and Carols at the Mission – December 20, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Blue Christmas – December 20, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Ilhan Saferali plays a Charlie Brown Christmas – December 20, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Community Christmas Dinner – December 21, 2023 at 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Longest Night of the Year – December 21, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Candlelight: Holiday Special (2 concerts) – December 22, 2023 at 6:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Vancouver Cantata Singers: The 20th Christmas Reprise – December 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Grand Christmas Gala – December 23, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Vancouver Cantata Singers: The 20th Christmas Reprise – December 23, 2023 at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Advent Service – December 24, 2023 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Salvation Army Cariboo Hill Temple Band: Carols for the City – December 24, 2023 at 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Christmas Eve Candlelit Service – December 24, 2023 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Canada Chinese Christian Winter Conference – December 27, 2023 - December 31, 2023 at All Day
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Tom Arntzen & Friends – December 27, 2023 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Prayer & Fasting Gathering: Loving Muslims Together Network – December 29, 2023 at All Day
Worship in the City – December 31, 2023 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Worship Invasion New Years Eve Praise Party! – December 31, 2023 at 9:30 pm - 11:45 pm