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Joy to the World: Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration Returns TODAY With Expanded ‘Passport of Joy’ Experience
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
A look back at the joy of the 2024 Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration — and just a glimpse of what’s growing. This year’s celebration builds on these moments and goes even bigger with the Passport of Joy.
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Today, families across Cookeville are invited to step into a celebration centered on joy, faith, and the true meaning of Christmas as the Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration returns - expanded, reimagined, and ready to welcome the community.
What began last year as a simple birthday party for Jesus has grown into a full, immersive experience designed especially for families and children. This year’s theme, “Joy to the World,” comes to life through the newly expanded Passport of Joy, a hands-on journey that invites families to experience how the birth of Christ is celebrated across cultures and continents.
The Passport of Joy - Expanded for 2025
The Passport of Joy - Expanded for 2025
At the heart of this year’s celebration is the Passport of Joy, an interactive experience that transforms the event into a global journey of faith.
When families arrive today, children will receive a keepsake passport and begin traveling from station to station, each representing a different country or region of the world. At every stop, they will:
- Learn how Christmas is celebrated in that culture
- Participate in a hands-on craft or activity
- Hear a short, child-friendly message connecting the culture to the Gospel
- Receive a passport stamp before continuing their journey
Organizers say the expansion allows children not only to learn about Christmas, but to experience the truth behind it:
Jesus came for the whole world - every nation, every people, every heart.
While the Passport of Joy takes families around the globe, every path intentionally leads back to one place: Bethlehem.
The Bethlehem hub serves as the spiritual center of the celebration, featuring a walk-through nativity, Scripture readings from Luke 2, and quiet prayer spaces. Volunteers are available throughout the evening to pray with families or simply talk.
“From Bethlehem, joy spread to the world,” Kelly Parkison, one organizer shared. “That’s the story we want families to leave with today.”
A Celebration for the Whole Family
A Celebration for the Whole Family
Today’s event includes:
- Family-friendly activity zones and inflatables
- Crafts and games tied to global Christmas traditions
- Live music and worship moments
- Photo opportunities themed around “Joy to the World”
- Face painting and hands-on experiences for kids
Everything is designed to be welcoming, joyful, and safe - a place where families can celebrate Christmas without distractions or confusion.
A Spirit of Generosity
A Spirit of Generosity
This year’s celebration continues the tradition of giving back. Proceeds from ornaments and donations collected tonight will benefit Hope Adoption Ministries and the Cookeville Pregnancy Center, reflecting the heart of Christmas through tangible support for families and life-affirming ministries.
Churches United
Churches United
More than a dozen churches and ministries are working together to make today’s celebration possible. Each has taken ownership of a station, activity, or need - serving side by side with one shared purpose: to honor Jesus.
“This is what unity looks like,” one volunteer said. “Different churches, one message.”
An Open Invitation - Happening Today
The Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration is:
-
FREE
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Open to everyone
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Family-friendly
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Christ-centered
You don’t have to belong to a church.
You don’t have to bring anything.
Just come and celebrate.
You don’t have to bring anything.
Just come and celebrate.
Event Details (TODAY)
- Happy Birthday Jesus Celebration
- Hosted by AREA CHURCHES
- AT THE Putnam County Convention Center, Tennessee Avenue
- TODAY FROM NOON TO 6PM
- Free and open to the public
