AN OPEN DOOR FOR ALL: CHRISTMAS JOY ACROSS GENERATIONS AND CULTURES

I was deeply moved when Phoebe shared about her intention behind the nativity presentation. She didn’t just assign roles; she saw people.

The youths became the shepherds—full of energy, curiosity, and wonder.
The young adults stepped into the roles of Mary and Joseph—navigating faith, responsibility, and obedience in the middle of life’s uncertainties. And our seniors from SAFE became the wise men—journeyed, reflective, and rich with lived wisdom.

As a young adult herself, Phoebe carried a quiet but powerful conviction: that Christmas joy is meant to be intergenerational. In her planning, I caught a glimpse of a love that reaches across ages, honouring every season of life, and drawing us together as one family.

And truly, this reflects the heart of our Lord. In the Gospels, Jesus’ love is unmistakably intergenerational. He welcomed children and said the kingdom belongs to such as these (Matthew 19:14). Youth like John Mark serving alongside the apostles (Acts 12:25). Older disciples such as Simeon and Anna rejoicing at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:25–38)

From the very beginning, the story of Jesus was never limited to one age group, it was for all generations. But His love goes even further.

The birth of Christ itself is profoundly intercultural. The wise men came from the East—outsiders, foreigners, seekers from another land. Yet they were welcomed into the story of salvation. Throughout His ministry, Jesus crossed cultural, racial, and social boundaries: speaking with a Samaritan woman (John 4:1-42), healing a Roman centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13), praising the faith of a Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30).
 

Again and again, Jesus opened His heart wide, inviting those on the margins to come near.  His love is both intergenerational and intercultural, an open door through which all are invited to enter, dwell, and abide in Him.

As we grow in our intimacy with Christ, may we never forget those around us, those older and younger than us, and those beyond our familiar circles, cultures, and comforts. This is what it means to be His missional disciples: to receive His love deeply, and to extend it generously.

A few years ago, Joshua and I wrote a song together titled “It’s You Who Opened the Door.” We sang it again recently during a Mooncake Festival outreach at another church. Each time I sing it, I’m reminded of the quiet joy of collaboration across generations, and the lasting beauty of reaching out together.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl9QF_bvXD4&list=RDKl9QF_bvXD4&start_radio=1

Christmas joy is like that. It multiplies when shared. It deepens when generations walk together. And it overflows when cultures meet at the feet of Jesus.

This Christmas, may we remember: Jesus Himself is the Open Door for all. And through Him, love can truly change everything. We warmly invite you, your family, and your friends to join us at our Christmas Outreach Concert & Mini-Fair - “An Open Door For All.” Come and experience a joy that crosses ages, cultures, and boundaries, the joy of Christ, given freely to all.

Being His Missional disciple,

Pastor Forest