“Experience A Contemplative Christmas … Through Trees” will return to Palm Valley Community Center in Goodyear, December 18-23, 2024. This open house event features 25 themed, decorated trees designed to inspire reflection and contemplation telling the story of God and us from Genesis to Revelation.
This is a community event coordinated since 2018 by Rosella and Jim Reggin. The event was inspired by multiple biblical scriptures mentioning trees, which prompted the use of trees to highlight the story of Jesus’ birth. Rosella states: “We celebrate his birthday, but there’s so much more. We start at the beginning, with the Word tree, because in the beginning there was the Word of God...” The story is told metaphorically using symbols and words.
The next three trees represent the creation tree, the tree of life, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil … and continues through the story.
Each person who arrives receives a program and then can take a leisurely self-tour enjoying the displays accompanied by Christmas carols in the background. Folks can enjoy the ‘sit down’ Milk and Honey Café with Christmas treats and hot beverages.
The Contemplative Christmas event runs from 4 to 8:30 p.m. daily Dec. 18-23 at Palm Valley Community Center, 14145 W. Palm Valley Blvd. Admission and parking are free. Any donations made during the event will benefit the veterans’ charity Arizona Bridges to Healing. (azbth.com).
The Reggins and a crew of volunteers spend several days setting up the event. The event is currently privately funded, with sponsorships welcomed.
We are grateful for this open door to share this event with the Goodyear community.
Keeping Christmas, Christmas. Learn more at contemplativechristmas.com.