Christmas is two months away, but you can never plan too soon for this wonderful festival. Christmas plays a massive part in the lives of children, young people and families: traditions, visiting families, presents, food, maybe going to Midnight Mass – all make up the ‘magic’ Christmas, regardless of church background. So how can we make the most of such a festival?
There’s an old Christmas rhyme:
“Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat,
Please put a penny in the old man’s hat.
If you haven’t got a penny, a ha’penny will do.
If you haven’t got a ha’penny,
you’re obviously a children’s worker trying to stay within a really tight budget.”
We can’t hope to compete with the presents, food and general financial outlay of better off families. Nor, if many of those in our parish struggle with difficult financial situations, then we can’t hope to make a material dent into the lives of so many in need. And if we spend most of our limited children’s or youth work budgets on Christmas, what will we have left for the rest of the year – for resources, residentials or all the million-and-one other things we need to finance?
There are some ways we can show the love of Christ without breaking the bank, or at least our fragile budgets. Here are a few suggestions you might want to explore during the upcoming festive season.
Provide space
Sometimes, family time at Christmas can be explosive. Family arguments can be intensified, people remember why they see some of their relatives so infrequently, alcohol and rich food (and the cost of supplying this for family events) can cause huge issues. Could we open up our building to provide space for people to escape the pressure of the season? We don’t need anything special, just some hot drinks, some toys and games for children to play with, maybe a biscuit or two and the wisdom when to talk and when to stay silent.
Provide a listening ear
As well as space we can provide an ear to listen. Sometimes, over Christmas, issues can come to the fore and there is little outlet to talk them through. We can be there to listen and, if necessary, offer help, though for many, the mere act of talking a problem through is enough to decide what to do next. We need to remember how to listen, not just wait for the person to stop speaking so we can have our turn!
Provide a welcome
Whatever event we might be inviting people to, we need to make sure they’re welcomed. Perhaps more than anything else, visitors to our community will remember how they were made to feel when they arrived. Did people smile when they came into church? Were they shown where to go or where the toilets are? Is your church ready to welcome children into the building? Or do you need to do some work with those who are quick to show their disapproval when children are loud during a service? First impressions are important, and don’t cost us anything.
Provide the good news
Tell the story of God’s great plan for salvation through Jesus. However you do it, with pictures, drama or even a real-life donkey, tell that amazing story. Those new to your community may never have heard it before so don’t waste any time, get straight to the good news!
Alex Taylor is Children’s Ministry Trainer for the Diocese of London and LOVES Christmas.
Photo credit: Davide D’Amico Christmas Tree via photopin (license).