Click here to view the photo slideshow MSIA’s Christmas Eve Seminar.
I arrived around 2:00 p.m. at the 2101 Wilshire building in Santa Monica on December 24th to the attend MSIA’s Christmas Eve Seminar. The building was already filling up with early arrivals in anticipation of being seated in the main ballroom. I like to sit in the other rooms as well. However, since I am reporting, I wanted to get a full view of everything. After checking in, I went upstairs to my seat in the Brentwood Room. I was approached by fellow eNDH reporter, Penelope Bright, who offered me a seat next to her. Electricity and excitement were in the air in anticipation of this event.
In the upstairs lobby was a vast display of beautiful and intriguing gifts to purchase. We were serenaded there by the MSIA Choir. I headed back to the ballroom to take my seat. It was time to come together and give thanks.
The main ballroom is where the Internet broadcast is being manned by the fabulous NOW Productions team. We listened to the beautiful music played by Claire and Aaron Roose on flute and oboe as everyone took their seats. The program opened with Miss Ariel Downs singing Silent Night in an angelic voice that got our attention.
We then welcomed to the stage Lynn and David Raynr and their children as our family hosts for the evening. David called us forward into the Light to bring us into a place of receptivity and oneness. The children’s ministry group, called HUGS, was introduced next. They performed a skit about making Traveler’s stew that the children themselves wrote. It was full of loving, caring, sharing, hugs, kisses, forgiveness, smiles, and much more, until the stew was complete and tasty.
Next we heard an unexpected sharing from Jsu Garcia giving us the full details of John-Roger’s recent fall where his eye was injured. We started experiencing the miracles that took place with John-Roger’s recovery. To read Jsu’s sharing in full, click here. After his sharing, Jsu told us that J-R was coming into the room, and to hold the peace. J-R expressed his loving to all of us and there was not a dry eye in the house. There is no way I could put this sharing into words other than to say that Spirit was definitely in the room.
Afterwards we heard a lovely piano composition by Karen Hassett that was perfect for the mood in the room. Following Karen, we heard from the delightful Barbara Wieland and Angel Gibson singing “Peace be Still.” Next was Eric Lumiere on guitar singing a song he wrote called “Here to Live,” accompanied by his father Taras Lumiere on violin and vocals. Eric continues to amaze me with his brilliant talent for composing. I’m ready for the CD.
Next, David Raynr introduced John Morton and we all welcomed him. John said he was called to read some quotes from the Bible that takes us through the Old Testament. We listened to Micah, Samuel, Isaiah, Daniel, and Luke. It was like hearing the story of the Christ from a young boy into adulthood.
The bottom line message that I heard from John Morton was about loving one another. As the Christ said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). John Morton included loving your neighbor and loving others the way you want to be loved. John Morton ended his portion of the evening by reading a blessing from Robert Lewis Stevenson. It was right and fitting for the evening for sure.
John stood to leave the stage and we stood with him in our hearts. There is something to be said for the silence. In my experience, it gives the Spirit a chance to be heard and felt in a way in which everyone can partake. John decided to introduce one of the closing songs because it was one he requested. The song is sung by Denise Lumiere, Angel Gibson and Karen Hassett. Also doing vocals and guitar were James Hassett, John Morgan and Jeff Morgan. The final song of the evening was quite fun, performed by Penelope, Laren & Arissa Bright, with James & Karen Hassett, accompanied by Steve Chopyak on accordian.
MSIA’s Christmas Eve was truly a walk through the Holy Land. May God Bless you and keep you in the coming year.
