Jesus Is the Reason for the Season
A Gathering of Women, Worship, and Wonder in Celebration of Christ
Last Saturday, December 6th, Arbor Christian Fellowship once again transformed into a place that felt just a breath shy of Heaven. The annual Ladies’ Christmas Tea—a beloved tradition—brought together women from every age, season of life, and cultural background. Grandmothers and toddlers, teens and young moms, longtime members and newcomers all gathered under twinkling lights and evergreen décor to pause, breathe, and remember the heart of Christmas: Jesus.
In a month known for bustle, to-do lists, and the pressure to create “the perfect holiday,” this event offered something altogether different—rest for the soul.
A Symphony of Worship
The atmosphere warmed immediately as the Arbor Angels took their place, their voices weaving a reminder through the room: Christmas is ultimately the time to love. Their harmonies lifted hearts, anchoring the gathering in worship.
The room was then graced by the women of El Toro Baptist Church’s International congregation, whose soulful presentation carried a longing that resonated deeply:
“Come Jesus, come—
We’ve been waiting so long for the day You’ll return
To heal every hurt and right every wrong…
We need You right now; come and turn this around…”
The words felt especially poignant in a season when so many carry invisible burdens. The shared worship between congregations painted a beautiful picture of the global family of God—many voices, one Savior.
The Prince of Peace
The message of the morning came through Christine Dickinson, whose talk centered on Jesus as the Prince of Peace. Her words were gentle yet anchored in truth, a balm to hurried hearts.
Peace, she reminded us, is not something we manufacture. It’s not found in a flawless table setting, a harmonious family gathering, or a perfectly executed holiday plan. Peace is bestowed. It comes from the One who carries the very title Prince of Peace, and He offers it with a simplicity we often overlook.
Christine invited us to breathe—literally—and to pray:
“Father, You are the Prince of Peace.
In this moment when I pray, You hold my time and my tranquility in Your hands.”
The shift from pressure to presence, she said, is as close as a whispered, “Jesus.”
“I’m exactly where God needs me to be, every moment of the day.”
The Story That Never Grows Old
One of the morning’s sweetest moments came from Melissa Baker, a young mom who read the Christmas story straight from the Gospel of Luke. Her voice carried the simplicity and wonder of Scripture itself—timeless, unadorned, and more powerful than any seasonal decoration or tradition.
As she read of angels and shepherds, of Mary’s faith and the Savior’s humble arrival, the room quieted into a shared stillness. It was the hush that only the Word of God can bring.
A Heart for the Nations
Before the teacups were lifted or the music began, the morning opened with prayer—a recognition that Christmas is, at its core, a mission story. The women joined in lifting up NAMB and IMB missionaries celebrating birthdays that very day. It was a tender reminder that the Gospel reaches far beyond our tables, our gatherings, our city—and that we stand connected to those carrying Christ’s love across the world.
A Foretaste of Heaven
By the end of the tea, the feeling was unmistakable: this was more than an event. It was a sacred pause, a gathering of daughters of the King who came to remember the One who came for them.
The laughter, the music, the Scripture, the shared prayers—each moment testified to the same truth:
Jesus is the reason for the season.
He is our peace, our joy, our hope, and our song.
And for one beautiful December morning, the women of Arbor Christian Fellowship and their sisters from El Toro Baptist Church experienced a taste of what awaits us—unity, worship, and the everlasting presence of the Prince of Peace.