A Festive Celebration of Giving: Reflections from the Christmas Flea Market

Our Filipino congregation lives out what it is to be “more blessed to give than to receive.”

A Spirit of Giving in Action

On December 8, 2024, the Filipino Congregation at Emmanuel Assembly of God hosted its very own Christmas Ukay Ukay, a phrase used to describe a flea market in Tagalog. Inspired by the verse in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” we were encouraged to raise funds to help support our church’s mission work.

We started the day by welcoming friends and family of our congregation, along with new friends at our worship service. Emeritus Pastor, Rev Alfred Ang, preached on the theme of generosity in giving.

A Marketplace Full of Blessings  

From the busking of traditional Christmas carols to the aroma of classic Filipino dishes and delicacies, a festive atmosphere was in the air.

One of the most popular stalls was the Filipino food, where delicious homemade treats reminded everyone of the comforts of Christmas at home.

The heart of the flea market was not just the items for sale but the unity and generosity of our church community.

From the volunteers who worked tirelessly to set up, decorate, and run the event to the generous donors, the collective efforts made the flea market a success and strengthened the bonds within our church.

Stories of Impact

Through an online feedback form, our guests shared their joyful experiences. They also wrote down prayer requests ranging from healing and financial worries to family concerns back home. Stories such as churches receiving financial support due to the recent typhoons in the Philippines or a person’s loved one finding comfort from their struggle with health issues through prayers inspire and remind us of the real impact of our actions.

A sister from our church said, “I’m inspired and encouraged by the spirit of Unity.” A donor encouraged us to do it again and promised to pack more stuff to sell.

More than just a shopping experience; it was a chance for us to connect with our community here.

Special Thanks

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to every individual who contributed to the success of this event:  

• Volunteers: Their selfless hard work behind the scenes and on the day of the event was a blessing to us all.
• Donors: Their generosity in cash or kind brought life to the market and helped us reach our fundraising goals.
• Attendees: Their presence and support are invaluable to us, and we hope to continue to connect with them in the future.

The True Spirit of Christmas

This event reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas: God’s generous love for us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. We can be generous in giving because He first gave to us.

May the blessings of this season fill your hearts and homes with love, peace, and joy. May we always remember that giving is more blessed than receiving, as we experienced in our Christmas Flea Market.