The holidays are a great time to boost your group's sense of community.
by Erin Brownback
For a small group, it's always a good idea to celebrate Christmas in a warm and memorable way. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Meet on a Sunday afternoon, or at a time when you can enjoy each other's company for longer than usual. Have everyone bring food, and allow yourselves to feast on goodies all day long. See if there is a Christmas pageant or play your group could attend in the evening. You may also want to invite your group members' spouses or family.
A creative way to find out how your group is feeling about the holiday
by Tami Rudkin
There are lots of characters, real and imagined, that are part of our Christmas celebrations. With which of the following do you most identify, and why?
Subgroup to find out what is required to enjoy the hoilday season.
by Tami Rudkin
Divide your members into smaller groups of 3, then have each group answer the following question. After the groups have discussed and come up with an answer, have them share their responses with the larger group.
"If you were coaching a team of 'never experienced Christmas before' men and women, what three strategies would you tell them were absolute musts in order to enjoy the season? Why?"
What ideal gifts would you like to give this Christmas?
Tami Rudkin
Think of the 4 (or however many) closest people to you. If you could give them anything for Christmas this year, what would it be? (Explain that money is no object.)
Participate in narrative readings about Christmas and sing carols.
Tami Rudkin
Leader: This time of worship includes narration and singing. Ask several different people who are comfortable reading to help you read the narration. Choose your own carols or praise songs, or use the ones suggested. Be sure to have someone play the guitar, piano, or have a CD if your group would feel uncomfortable singing a cappella. Always have the words of the songs you plan to sing printed out ...
Use tinsel to help your group members talk about what currently decorates their lives.
Tami Rudkin
Pass around a handful of tinsel and instruct your group to take several strands, it doesn't matter how many, and then say, "For each strand of tinsel tell us about one thing that decorates your life with beauty."
What you will need: 5 candles and matches. If possible: A CD or tape of Christmas carols and the lyrics printed out for each person.
The following readings come from the texts of traditional Christmas carols. Assign each reading to those in your group who feel comfortable reading out loud. Give each narrator an unlit candle. Begin with a fairly dark room.
Pray. And then light the first narrator's candle, ...
Christmas trees are decorated with ornaments of family traditions, memories and personality. If your life was represented by a Christmas tree what would you hang on it to tell the world who you are?
Draw festive words out of a hat and use them in a sentence.
Tami Rudkin
Write each of the following words on a small separate piece of paper. Fold each piece in half and put them in a basket (or baseball hat). Beginning with the leader, draw out a word and use that particular word in a sentence. Continue passing the basket until everyone has had an opportunity to share.
Christmas tree
Candy cane
Angel
Wise men
Snowman
Gifts
Shepherds
Manger
Star
Carols
Parties
Stockings
Santa
Cookies ...
Printer view of these results
