Calvary Church’s annual carols spectacular event drew its biggest turnout yet this year, with more than 3,500 people attending four shows last weekend.
Campus Pastor Tim Peters, who led the event this year together with worship director, Henry Janse van Rensburg, said the church hoped to remind the community of the true meaning of Christmas.
“We’re really hoping and praying that people realise the reason for the season that the most important thing is love, specifically God’s love,” Peters said.
Inspired by the Christmas classic Joy to the World and its line “Wonders of His love,” this year’s theme centred on awe, wonder and the belief that God is close and present.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, our God is not a distant God but a God who came close.”
Peters said his team wanted the community to leave with a sense that “God is for you, God is approachable, God is with us.”
Now in its eighth year in the Quigney, the carols show has become a major highlight on the Calvary calendar.
Peters said the event had grown steadily, with bigger crowds and more offerings each year.
“This year, we expanded the market and introduced new performances and story elements.
“Children took centre stage by narrating the story of Jesus’s birth, while musicians delivered fresh interpretations of traditional carols.”
He said many performances stood out, but praised two in particular, Megan May’s powerful rendition of O Come, O Come Emmanuel, which he described as “the kind of performance that gives you goosebumps.”
“Yanelisa Sishuba’s moving version of Silent Night, really captured the theme.”
Beyond the main show, families enjoyed a festive market selling food, crafts, clothes and sweet treats.
A special children’s area offered games and arts-and-crafts activities, making the event a vibrant outing for all ages.
Peters said hosting such events was vital for churches during the Christmas season.
“People are open to invitation and more likely to say yes to a carols event.
“It’s a time for families to celebrate together.
“The church sees it as an opportunity to serve and connect with the wider community,” he said.
Peters said the event also supported Calvary’s ongoing outreach in Quigney.
“Funds raised will help sustain the church’s soup kitchen, which provides meals and a children’s programme for families in need.
“Our goal is to be a light in the area and help whoever lives nearby.”
He praised the the long hours of preparation with 350 volunteers and eight staff members working for months, and expressed gratitude for the strong community response.
