Our First Christmas at Estacada AG

Christmas had always been our favorite time of year.

For as long as we could remember, Christmas meant being surrounded by family. Grandparents filled the house with laughter. Cousins ran through the living room. The kitchen was always busy, and every corner of the house felt warm and alive.

We never imagined spending Christmas somewhere new.

A few months before the holidays, our family moved to Estacada for work. We knew it was the right decision, but leaving behind everything familiar was harder than we expected.

As December arrived, the excitement of the season was replaced by something we had never felt before.

Boxes were still stacked in the corners of our home. We had not made many friends yet. Our children missed their grandparents. We missed family dinners and familiar traditions.

One evening, our youngest daughter asked a question that broke our hearts.

We smiled and told her it would.

But honestly, we weren’t sure.

A few days later, we decided to visit Estacada Assembly of God.

We walked through the doors not knowing anyone. We expected to quietly attend the service and leave afterward.

Instead, something unexpected happened.

People noticed us.

Not in an uncomfortable way.

In a caring way.

Several families introduced themselves before the service even started. Afterward, people stayed to talk with us. They asked our names. They welcomed our children. One family invited us to an upcoming Christmas fellowship event.

For the first time since moving, we felt seen.

The following weeks were filled with Christmas activities at the church. Our children quickly made friends. We attended services, fellowship events, and holiday gatherings.

Little by little, strangers became familiar faces.

Then came the Christmas fellowship dinner.

We almost didn’t go.

We were tired from moving and still trying to settle into our new life. But we decided to attend anyway.

Looking back, we’re so thankful we did.

That evening, the church building was filled with laughter and Christmas music. Families gathered around tables, sharing food and stories. Children ran through the room excitedly. Everywhere we looked, people were smiling.

At one point during the evening, I looked across the room and saw our children laughing with new friends.

I smiled.

And then I cried.

Not because I was sad.

But because for the first time in months, I felt at home.

The loneliness we had carried since moving began to fade.

God had answered a prayer we had not even spoken out loud.

He had given us a family.

Not by blood.

But by faith.

When Christmas morning arrived, we still missed our relatives back home. We still wished we could hug our parents and share the day with them.

But something was different.

We no longer felt alone.

We had people praying for us.

We had friends checking on us.

We had a church family that welcomed us with open arms.

Looking back now, years later, our first Christmas at Estacada Assembly of God remains one of the most meaningful Christmas seasons we have ever experienced.

It wasn’t because of gifts.

It wasn’t because everything was perfect.

It was because God used ordinary people to remind us that we belonged.

Whenever Christmas comes around, we remember that season and the kindness we received.

And every year, we try to welcome new families the same way we were welcomed.

Because sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone is simply helping them feel like they’re home.