Whanganui City Corps Participate in Christmas Parade

It was with a sense of excitement and expectation that the community gathered to enjoy the Whanganui Christmas parade, on a stunning summer afternoon on Saturday 9 December.

There were 47 float entries, making this one of the larger parades the city had seen for several years.

Whanganui City Corps created a spectacular float, with the theme: ‘Jesus is the Greatest Gift’. Tinsel glistening in the sun and a display of brightly wrapped presents under the Christmas tree drew onlookers to the float. A baby Jesus lay in the manger in amongst the presents, with banners proclaiming the good news.

The corps family decided to hand out a gift to the community that expressed the gospel message of Christ’s birth. Being an eco-corps, CDs were re-purposed to make an ornament for people’s Christmas trees, which were received enthusiastically by children in the crowd.

Other community churches were invited to join in with Whanganui City Corps by singing carols as they walked behind the float. It was marvellous to have a large group of believers singing the true message of Christmas for the community.

The leadership team at the corps saw the parade as a good opportunity to keep Christ in Christmas. This decision was rewarded by the fantastic news that their float won first place! This was an unexpected bonus and created further opportunity to proclaim the message of Jesus being the greatest gift, with a write up in the local paper and a certificate and prize.