On Saturday and Sunday, December 17th and 18th, Stoughton LIFE TEEN participated in the most highly anticipated service activity of the year, Christmas in the City. A total of over 30 teens participated in one or both of these two days.

On Saturday, the teens showed their creativity by creating large banners to decorate the inside of the Bayside Expo Center, including a very impressive image of a Christmas iPod! They also worked hard in many other ways to transform the bland expo center into a lively and festive area that would be welcoming to the mothers, fathers, and children that would arrive the next day.

On Sunday, teens we assigned to help out with two Boston-area shelters: Catholic Charities at Bird St. and Griffin House. Teens welcomed the families with thunderous applause and served them meals that included pizza, chicken, hot dogs, turkey, and more. Teens then helped parents by taking their childen off their hands for a little while and entertaining them in the exciting "Winter Wonderland" area of the expo center. Our teens saw the face of Christ in these young boys and girls who they cared for during this incredible day, and it was clear that these teens were also the face of Christ to those kids they served.

Many, if not all the teens would agree that this has given them all a new view about just what Christmas is all about. A HUGE THANK YOU to all those who participated in this event. The entire CORE was touched by your hard work, your maturity, and your Christ-like compassion.

Please read this great article written by Globe columnist Brian McGrory about Christmas in the City and its founder, Jake Kennedy prior to the event this year:

Where the Spirit Beckons

Also read this article written by Globe correspondant, Nathan Hurst who gives a recap of this year's event which served about 4,000 people:

Volunteers Bring Joy to Thousands