COME Dec 6, right up to Christmas Eve, the nights in Changi Village will come alive to the light of the Star in the East and the voices of carollers. This is Love Changi Christmas Light-up 2003.


The organising churches comprising the Salvation Army, Changi Baptist, Changi Christian Fellowship and Living Hope Methodist Church, collectively known as the Love Changi Geo-Network, have come together again in unity with the grassroots organisations to bring back this year-end community bonding project on a larger scale.


When it was first organised in 2001, the Love Changi Geo-Network came together in a unique alliance of Christian and secular organisations to promote community bonding and healthy family-oriented activities for the holiday period. At that time the highlight of the event was the light-up of Changi Village and the nightly carolling.


This year's event will be officially opened by Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, the Speaker of Parliament, as he did the last time, underscoring the community-bonding objective.


First-time participants, the men of Changi Air Base, have done the Republic Singapore of Singapore Air Force proud by contributing a giant 20-ft by 15-ft lighted star, inspired by Matthew 2:10. Other first-time highlights include the screening of Christ-centred movies, puppet shows and drama skits on weekend evenings.
Given the gloomy economic outlook and the SARS outbreak, the objective to bring the Lord's cheer and words of encouragement to the community takes on an even greater urgency.