The Friday Finish - Most Important Ingredient, Jesus! - On Time Delivery - Family Christmas - 8th Grade Athletes Recognized
- Tim Crawford
- Dec 26, 2025
- 4 min read
December 26, 2025
The Most Important Ingredient – Jesus!
Rebecca Smallwood came to Red Bird to teach over 30 years ago, and continues to teach Art and Bible classes as a volunteer in her retirement. She, like so many of us, have experienced loss in the past year, but she shares how God brought joy to her through the children at Red Bird Christian School. We hope you are encouraged by her witness shared with us.
“In a season of personal loss, my heart longed for a bit of joy. Then the Lord gave me that gift through my 8th Grade Bible Class as we practiced and performed our “Cardinal Christmas Cookie” puppet show. It was fun watching students bring their characters to life and for some to conquer their fear of performing. We need all of the right ingredients to make perfect Christmas cookies, yes; but the most important ingredient for a sweet Christmas is Jesus!”
On Time Christmas Delivery
Over 100 new coats had been collected and scores of toys to help children this Christmas, but the organizer had no means of fulfilling the distribution due to a late delivery. However, God had a plan because St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee has a reputation for helping folks in need.
Within minutes, not days, Karen Alexander at St. Mark’s received the plea to get these gifts to someone in need. Karen started calling her local ministry coordinators and reached out to Tracy Nolan, Red Bird Mission Community Outreach Director. Just two days later, this past Saturday, the volunteers from St. Mark’s were unloading the balance of this charitable collection at Red Bird Mission. Community Outreach now has coats and toys for last minute, urgent needs to help when families are desperate for a winter coat or a toy to bring joy to a child at Christmas or a birthday this winter.
Tracy shared proof this week that urgent, last minute needs are a reality because family circumstances can change in an instant.
“Community Outreach was able to assist a grandmother who got temporary custody of her grandson last week with gifts, crafts, clothing, shoes, undergarments, hygiene needs, a teen bible and Christmas decor. She is a recent widow and had not gotten anything for Christmas to celebrate previously with her limited income and loss. She had renewed hope to provide her grandson with necessities and joy. We were able to assist with a food box as well.”
A Red Bird Family Christmas
Staff and volunteers came with their family members last Friday evening to celebrate Christmas together as Red Bird Family. Work Camp staff prepared the basic entrée offerings of meat, potatoes, broccoli and a salad while families carried in their favorite vegetable dish or dessert. One could feel the relaxed family atmosphere in the Red Bird Christian School dining room during the meal.
Afterwards, everyone focused towards the stage listening for their ticket number to be called for dozens of door prizes donated by local businesses that appreciate how Red Bird Mission serves and enriches the region. Tracy Nolan, Community Outreach Director, shared a short, inspiring Christmas message with the group. The children and grandchildren of staff and volunteers were then invited by age groups to come forward and select from leftover toys and games.
8th Grade Athletes Recognized
The following is taken from a Red Bird Christian School Facebook post highlighting the special tribute last Thursday prior to a Middle School Boys basketball game. Our 8th Grade student athletes will be moving on from Middle School competition.
Tonight at Red Bird Christian School, we were proud to pause and recognize some very special students—our 8th grade cheerleader and boys basketball players—for their dedication, leadership, and heart they bring to our school community.
We proudly honored our 8th grade cheerleader, Halline Pennington, whose spirit, enthusiasm, and encouragement is a blessing to our team and fans.
We also recognized our 8th grade boys basketball players:
Dalton Whitehead, Brian William Smith, Braxton Asher, Kayden Brock, Charlie Gray, and Matt Henson.
These young men have represented Red Bird Christian School with determination, teamwork, and good sportsmanship—both on and off the court.
We are incredibly proud of all of our eighth graders. They have grown so much academically, athletically, and spiritually, and they continue to set a wonderful example for the students coming behind them. Our students are the heart of Red Bird Christian School, and nights like tonight remind us how blessed we are to walk alongside them as they grow into the leaders God has called them to be.