Tis the Season: Christmas Campus Happenings

The Christmas season brings about a number of campus happenings. Below are a few you would be sure to find from year to year:

SPC Christmas Shop Collection

Our preschool students partnered with South Potomac Church and Lifestyles of Southern Maryland by collecting new and very gently used blankets and towels for distribution at the annual, free SPC Christmas Shop for the homeless and less fortunate within our community. Our students did not disappoint with 70 blankets, 25 emergency blankets, 15 washcloths and 28 towels collected by for the SPC Christmas Shop! The students were so excited knowing they were helping others stay warm.

Thank you so much to all who donated!

Our 1st and 2nd graders displayed the true meaning of Christmas through their Christmas Program, “The Great Christmas Giveaway.”

"The Great Christmas Giveaway"

Our 1st and 2nd graders displayed the true meaning of Christmas through their Christmas Program, “The Great Christmas Giveaway.”

Annual Live Nativity

For the past three years, I have had the honor to get a front row seat in seeing our 4th grade students bring the Christmas story to life in a unique way. Years ago, SMCA would put on a drive thru nativity by the secondary students which many people in the community would annually attend. In recent years, our elementary students have taken on this ministry, however we have made our nativity a “walk through” experience, complete with live animals from Mary’s go round.
This event requires many people to coordinate and facilitate. All the SMCA students and parents helped raise money for our animals by supporting our “purchasing a dress down day” fundraiser. Our facilities crew, Dameon and Savion partnered with Mr. Grinder to put together our different sets. Mr. Roy Gibson (who also helped with set construction) allowed us to borrow Fellowship Church’s inflatable big screen, to allow patrons to go over to the gym and watch the Christmas story Superbook movie. A special thanks to our Events Coordinator, Jennifer George, who helped gather props and costumes, as well as assisted in scene set up. And of course, La Plata Baptist Church, for once again allowing us to graciously borrow so much of their resources to clothe and furnish each person and scene.
This year’s Nativity was the largest turnout yet, and we all praise Jesus for His mercy in allowing us to share His story. It is so beautiful, so incredibly special watching young kids act out this promise being fulfilled. Our Nativity included four “manned” scenes and the cross. These scenes included: the angel visits Mary, the innkeeper’s house, the heavenly host, the three wisemen, the Nativity, and the Cross. We hope that next year will exceed the success of this one!
**Further thanks for our incredibly supportive administrative team, as well as the wonderful teachers who also faithfully advertised and many attended our event. Praising God for the gift of Jesus, as well as the community He has blessed us with at SMCA.
-Mrs. Beverly, Elementary Bible Teacher

Christmas Morning "Drive- In" Movie

Our preschoolers celebrate Christmas together in the chapel with a “drive-in” movie and yummy treats. Each student is given a cardboard box to take home and transform into their very own vehicle of choice. These vehicles are parked in the chapel and the students watch a movie in their pajamas. This is a tradition that has become a favorite for not only our preschoolers, but also the rest of our school as the creativity to-be-seen is one that is highly looked forward to witnessing in person.

Classroom Christmas Celebrations

Our classes celebrate Christmas in a variety of different ways. Some classes make ornaments and crafts to be cherished by loved ones for years to come. Many classes have parties where they play games, eat treats, and exchange gifts.

Preschool Christmas Program

Our preschoolers sing about the true meaning of Christmas to a packed audience on the last day of school. They are known to bring smiles to faces and tears to eyes. It would not be a preschool Christmas Program without singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. Mrs. Colein works for months with students and teachers to prepare for this performance. It is a performance that parents look forward to every year.