Insight

Christmas giving

I've been encouraged in the last few weeks with youth workers writing about how they are helping young people to express and think of giving to others over this Christmas season. Of course we all love receiving, but our giving to others can make a huge difference to their experience of Christmas and their understanding of the real Christmas message. The wise men came to worship the new-born King and they expressed that by giving gifts. May God help me to express my worship to him this Christmas time through giving to others.

In this article I asked what we might do. My thoughts included a visit to a children's ward in the local hospital, giving to a Christmas appeal, visiting a homeless shelter bearing gifts or helping with meals, making Christmas cards for folks who will be alone this Christmas to let them know someone is thinking of them.

I enjoy reading Brian’s blog, and in recent weeks his Advent thoughts. He lists some of his own thoughts here which include,

Christmas - more food for thought

Aren't we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know… the birth of Santa. Bart Simpson

This is Christmas: not the tinsel, not the giving and receiving, not even the carols, but the humble heart that receives anew the wondrous gift, the Christ. Frank McKibben

Love came down at Christmas; love all lovely, love divine; love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign. Christina G. Rossetti

Christmas began in the heart of God. It is complete only when it reaches the heart of man. Anon

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. George Matthew Adams

There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. W.J. Cameron

The First Christmas

'The First Christmas' takes another look at the historical account of the birth of Jesus. The thoughts and feelings of the main characters are brought to life through the group discussion, role play and interviews.

Read the story in a modern version of the bible.

The texts are Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 1:18-25 and Matthew 2:1-18.

If necessary, explain any unusual words in the story. Engage the young people with an interactive reading including narrator(s), angel(s), wise men, King Herod, King Herod's advisors and shepherds. Have Bibles available for the group activities or print the passages on a worksheet.

Divide the young people into small groups of 4 to discuss the reactions of one of the main characters in the story. Give a character or character group i.e. wise men to each small group.

• Mary - when first told she was to be Jesus' mother.
• Joseph - when he learned his fiancé was pregnant.
• Mary and Joseph - when told they would have to journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census.
• Shepherds - when they heard the message from the angels and went to see the baby.
• Wise men-their compelling desire to visit the new king in spite of the long journey to get there.
• Herod - when he discovered there was a new king whom he thought would challenge his own position.

Giving to others at Christmas

We all like to think about what we might receive at Christmas, but Christmas is also a time of giving.

We look forward to what people will give us, but our giving to others can make a big difference to their Christmas and their understanding about the birth of Jesus.

This resource can be used as part of a youth night, youth club or Christmas presentation. It works well with 11-14's but please adapt according to the knowledge and age of your group.

GIVE A GIFT

Bring in some colour magazines or catalogues which contain lots of ideas for gift items. Divide your group into teams of 4 or 5 and give each a magazine, a large piece of paper, scissors, paste and pen. Tell them they need to make a collage of gifts they would send to the following people,

• Dad
• Mother
• A baby
• The queen, (or president, prime minister)
• Your best friend
• Your wonderful youth leader!
• Yourself

For older groups you can also add the extra factor of working to a budget £500 ($1000).

Christmas around the world

'Christmas around the World' helps young people discover more about Christmas traditions, think about the worldwide church and encourage prayer for believers who live in places where this Christmas they will continue to be persecuted for their Christian faith.

These Christmas resources can be used as part of a youth night, youth club or Christmas presentation.

FINISH THE PHRASE

The opening icebreaker begins the session by asking the group about their own experiences of Christmas and their expectations for this year. Write the ten unfinished phrases onto cards and place a number (1-10) on the other side. Explain to the group that the cards contain a phrase about Christmas which they need to finish i.e. the best present I ever had was... Ask a young person to select a number and finish the phrase. The same number can be selected more than once. Play until as many as want to have had a go, get involved yourself and encourage your helpers to participate.

• The most exciting thing about Christmas is...
• The happiest Christmas I ever had was...
• My favourite food at Christmas is...
• The best party I have ever been to was...
• The worst thing about Christmas is...
• The best present I ever had was...
• I like Christmas because...
• I think Christmas is important because...
• The present I most want for Christmas is...
• My most embarrassing moment at Christmas was...

Christmas unwrapped

Two Christmas icebreakers and a youth talk on giving gifts and God's greatest gift in Jesus. Help young people look afresh at the Christmas story and reflect on the real meaning of Christmas.

This Christmas resource can be used as part of a youth night, youth club or Christmas presentation. It works well with 11-14's but please adapt according to the knowledge and age of your group.

Gifts are an important part of Christmas for everyone. We all like to receive gifts, but Christmas also provides an opportunity to give gifts to our family and friends. What kind of presents are you buying this year for your mum, dad, brother, sister or best friend? Discuss.

Introduce the two icebreakers by explaining that we are going to practice wrapping a gift - but with a few differences!

TEAM WRAP

Preparation: two large cardboard boxes, Christmas wrapping paper, two pairs of scissors, tape, two ribbons or bows and a whistle.

Select two teams of six young people who stand at one side of the room. At the other side is placed a large cardboard box for each team with wrapping paper, scissors, tape, ribbon and a bow. Explain that at your signal the first person runs across the room to the box and begins to wrap it. After 15 secs a whistle will blow and they must run back to the other side of the room and tag the next team member who continues the wrapping process. End the relay when the box is wrapped or everyone has had a turn. Encourage everyone for their efforts and award a small gift to everyone for taking part! Come on its Christmas!

What's in a name?

A Christmas icebreaker and youth talk reflecting on the name and titles given to Jesus.

This Christmas resource can be used as part of a youth night, youth club or Christmas presentation. It works well with 11-14's but please adapt according to the knowledge and age of your group.

How was your first name chosen? Usually it's by our parents, who choose names they like or names from within the family. Sometimes it might be from someone they admire, or a famous person or a celebrity.

Ask the young people if they know why their first name was chosen. Was it after someone older in their family? Do they know what their first name means? Give time for responses.

Explain that many of our names today have been passed down through history and often originate in other languages. In Europe many names are derived from Latin or the Greek and Hebrew languages. Most originally described something about the person who was given the name i.e. Timothy (from the Greek) which means 'one who honours God.'

The real meaning of Christmas

A Christmas icebreaker, quiz and talk helping young people to look afresh at the Christmas story and reflect on the real meaning of Christmas.

These resources can be used as part of a youth night, youth club or Christmas presentation. They work well with 11-14’s but please adapt according to the knowledge and age of your group.

CALL MY BLUFF

Explain to the group that they have to guess the correct meaning of each word. Only one description is correct. Read out or display the word and then give the three different meanings. Have the group divide into three smaller groups according to which description they believe is correct.

I'm sure you know all the answers! However, just in case, the correct answers are given at the end of the article! If you wish, choose your own words and add your own creative descriptions.