tips for youth workers                                                                           NOVEMBER 2011

PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS

Wow, it’s hard to believe that we have now entered November and it’s time to start planning our Christmas activities.  Many of our young people are probably already eagerly anticipating what they’ll be getting for Christmas, making lists and putting them in strategic locations.  But it’s more important that we engage them in activities that will help them focus on the real meaning of Christmas, God’s invitation to having a relationship with them through his son, Jesus Christ.  We also want to provide opportunities to help them think about others and not just themselves.  Here are a few ideas you may want to try with your young people.

• Family Advent Readings.  Help parents teach children to prepare their hearts for Christmas by providing them with advent readings they can use each day during the weeks of advent.

• Advent Readings can become a part of your meeting openings at your children’s programs.  Find age appropriate readings and invite participants to read to the group and to light a candle each week of advent.  This can happen during your Pioneer club meeting, Sunday school, after school club program and youth discipleship programs.

• Toy and Food Drive initiatives.  Contact your local Family Services Worker or Food Bank and find out what items they feel are the biggest need they will have this Christmas season.  Then help your young people put together a plan for organizing a toy or food drive at their local school.

• Toy or Hamper Depot Volunteers.  Take your class or group to the local toy depot or food bank for an evening or afternoon and volunteer to help sort items, pack hampers for those in need or to provide child-care to families who are visiting your centre for assistance.

• Kettle Carolers.  It can be a long cold evening or day for kettle workers who are working outside on Christmas kettles.  Divide your group’s young people into teams with a driver and have them visit different kettle locations throughout the town and have them serenade shoppers who might feel more inspired to give, thanks to the carolers.  This is also a great way to show our kettle workers how much we appreciate their willingness to volunteer their time to stand out in the cold.

• Christmas Play or Musical.  Families love to see their children in action.  Why not put together a simple Christmas musical, play or caroling event and invite families from the church and the community to come and hear the Christmas message.