The sun had set two hours prior. The city was hustling and bustling; people were going about their usual business. The air was bitingly cold. I passed by the Opera Plaza where the little chalets were already set up, ready for the Christmas market to be opened in just two days. The Opera House was beautifully lit up and served as the perfect backdrop to the Christmas village.
I finally reached the train station and boarded the train that was going to take me home. My thoughts were still racing about all the work that was done today and of course all the work that I still needed to get done when I got home, after the kiddos were bathed, and sang to sleep. On the train I continued to work not paying much attention to anything else.
Once I arrived at the tiny little train station at the bottom of the hill in our village, I zipped up my coat, wrapped my thick scarf tighter around my neck and started walking up hill. I was listening to O Holy Night, by the one and only Rebecca Pfortmiller Hart (best rendition of this song, EVER!). My mind was still wrapped up in the worries, concerns and todo lists of the day, when suddenly I felt a nudge in my Spirit. I stopped in my track, listened closer to the song and looked up. Wow! The sky was clear and black. BUT the stars.. The stars were so bright and vast in numbers it took my breath away.
VERSE 1
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn
CHORUS 1
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
In that moment HOPE was brought to the forefront of my mind. Sometimes work, marketing, tireless brainstorming, event planning, accounting and all the things that need to be done in ministry to see people reached, can be overwhelming and it can get easy to lose sight of what truly matters; especially when an event is less than two weeks away and there’s so much left to be accomplished.
BUT the stars… HOPE. You see, we are about to have a One Hope Event in an Italian city where there are no Italian speaking, Jesus proclaiming, hope and love bringing churches. Bolzano, Italy is the capital city of the province of South Tyrol in northern Italy. With a population of 105,713 (2013), Bolzano is also by far the largest city in South Tyrol. Bolzano is the seat of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, where lectures and seminars are held in English, German and Italian. This city is a hub for students, for people, like you and I, eager to learn, yet no place to go to receive true hope.
Almost exactly a year ago we met a lovely couple in Torino, Italy at a small pastors conference. Simone and his wife Jacqueline have two kids, live just outside of Bolzano and have a heart to see the city and especially the university students reached with the Good News of Jesus. Tucked away in this alpine city they started a church but need the proper tools and support to reach the city. After a busy year, prayer, phone calls, and lots of texts, One Hope Bolzano was born.
So, on December 1st we will head to Bolzano with a small team, including Francois and Geraldine Guernier, dear friends of ours, who planted a church in Annecy, France just a couple of years ago. Their passion for Jesus, their heart for their city, and their knowledge and experience in church planting makes them the perfect addition to our team for this event.
BUT the stars… HOPE. Our heart’s desire, even cry, is for Bolzano to experience God’s love and receive hope like never before in history. Saturday morning we will offer workshops for the pastors couple and their friends and any leader that wants to participate. The Evening of Hope will take place that night. Our venue isn’t big, we won’t have flashy lights, or sound. But we have an expectant heart to see God show his glory and flood the people’s heart with His love. Francois and Geraldine will lead worship and Shawn will bring a message of hope in this Christmas season. The day before and the day of we will visit the Christmas market in town and will invite as many people as we possibly can to attend the Night of Hope. We have also started a social media campaign targeting the city with #OneHopeBolzano invites. Jesus, the hope of the world, will be proclaimed and lifted high over this city.
BUT the stars… HOPE. Will you be part of our team by praying for this event and giving financially?
We cannot do this alone. Will you be part of the sea of stars that illuminate this city for December 2nd?
–> To give please visit https://igniteeurope.com/donate/ where you can choose to give by mailing a check or donating through PayPal.
We appreciate your support on bringing the light of the world to Bolzano, Italy.
Blessings,
Tanja
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VERSE 1
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn
CHORUS 1
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
VERSE 2
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains He shall break
For the slave is our brother
And in His Name
All oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy
In grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise His holy Name
CHORUS 2
Christ is the Lord
O praise His Name forever
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
His power and glory
Evermore proclaim
CHORUS 3
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night divine
