It started as a vision of St. Mark’s Ocean Park member, John Reader, ODNW, to put “Christ back into Christmas” in an outdoor display back in 1999. Now “The Journey of Christmas” is celebrating its 20th year with its combination of a multi-media outdoor display and free nightly concerts in the parish hall. This year’s 9-night event begins Dec. 16 at 4pm with a celebratory service when we will give thanks to God for His vision to John and for sharing the message of Christmas for two decades. We will sing carols and share the history and the inspiration that has continued for longer than many outdoor displays have lasted.
The outdoor display features 9 theatres set in the woods behind St. Mark’s, Ocean Park’s buildings telling the story of the first Christmas with mannequins, theatre props, lighting and an audio soundtrack. Your 22-minute guided tour ends in the hall with hot chocolate, cookies and our nightly “Arts Showcase”, the events that are confirmed are listed above.