A visiting friend puts on a Santa coat and sits with a child who is holding a new bundle of clothes. The courtyard is full. Christmas at this house is not a catalogue. It is a lap, a gift, and a name that was remembered.
The choir does not only sing carols. They become the story. Five children in white robes and maroon wraps stand with wooden staffs at the Mercy School door — shepherds, already in character. Later, on a church floor under a tree of lights, a shepherd, Mary with the child, and a zebra in a white sheet walk the gospel they have been rehearsing.
The Mercy For Life Africa Children’s Choir preaches by singing. On this night they preach by becoming the nativity. If you have been looking for a place to stand with children at Christmas, this is the house that already set a place.
From the field
The photographs and films of this story.
Partners & volunteers
Santa at the house
A visiting friend in a Santa coat sits with a child who is holding a new bundle of clothes. Christmas at Mercy For Life Africa is not a catalogue. It is a lap, a gift, and a child who was not forgotten.
Children’s choir
Shepherds at the school door
Mercy School children in white robes and maroon wraps stand with wooden staffs at the office door. The choir does not only sing. At Christmas they become the story they have been rehearsing.
Children’s choir
The nativity, on a church floor
A shepherd, Mary with the child, a zebra in a white sheet — the Mercy For Life Africa Children’s Choir playing the Christmas story under a tree of lights. They preach by singing, and on this night they preach by becoming the gospel.