Children Recite Bible Verses in Tamil
The weather was not too friendly; it was drizzling and cold and yet the air was filled with goodwill, joy and cheer! It was December the 25th and "Christmas" once again at the Atlanta Tamil Church.
Friends, family and church members gathered in the worship hall at the Korean Community Presbyterian Church on Duluth Hwy, where they usually meet once a week.
The worship was well attended by almost 60 adults and children. Carols were sung in Tamil and English and the sermon topic "NEW" was delivered by Pastor Palmer Paramadhas,.
After the worship service, it was time for the children's performance. The usual Christmas pageant was rendered in a song-dance medley sequence choreographed by the Sunday school teachers and performed by the children of Atlanta Tamil Church. The next highlight was watching little kids recite Bible verses related to the Nativity Story in their mother tongue, Tamil. The effort to keep their cultural roots intact even though they were far-away from their home base was highly appreciated.
No Christmas celebration is complete without the legendary appearance of Saint Nick – who arrived all the way from the North Pole and looked very Indian in appearance in spite of the snowy white beard and candy-apple-red robe. After gifts were handed out to all children and the church annual picture taken, a traditional Indian festival lunch was served to all. They left with warmth in their hearts and a smile on their faces.
Mrs. Barbara Pollar, wife of late Rev. Alfred Pollar said, "I felt welcome here and even though it was a language I did not understand, the translation and the attitude of the people made me feel at home".
Christmas is a festival that unites the world irrespective of nationality, caste or color and so it was that the Tamil speaking people from India, decked in their finery, assembled in a Korean church located in the United States to celebrate the birth of the Savior in unity and harmony.
~ Titus Constantine
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