Below is a collective list of ideas activities for Heritage District churches/families to celebrate Advent and Christmas
Ideas and Activities
- Centerpiece or ornament that each person in the congregation receives as a visual connection to the theme for the season (“home for the holidays” “angels among us” “hope is born”)
- Delivering candy canes with messages of hope/ love/ peace/ joy
- Decorating the outside of the church instead of the inside
- “Living Nativity” with different scenes in the driveways of church members – a sort of road rally or scavenger hunt
- Hand-delivered front porch drop boxes with craft items to assemble, or pre-packaged food items
- Drive-in Christmas Eve candlelight service (using battery operated candles)
- Families / individuals video record themselves singing carols and uploaded to Facebook page
- Send Christmas Cards
- Use Sermon by Phone app to record sermons or worship services for those who cannot connect online
- Encourage youth / young adults to host Netflix watch parties
- Provide open Zoom “coffee hour” or “office hour” for people to drop in and have conversation
- Prepare devotional guides for use at home or in small groups
- Purchase Faithful Families for Advent & Christmas by Traci Smith. To purchase use link below:
http://www.traci-smith.com/faithfulfamilieschristmas/
If purchasing multiple books check bulk discounts available at Chalice Press.
*Suggestions from the Faithful Families Christmas Book
- November 29 Advent Chain page 8
- December 6 Jesus’ Family Tree page 47 (cost is $3)
Luke Genealogy family tree: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Genealogy-of-Jesus-in- pictures-According-to-Matthew-1-4752935?gclid=CjwKCAjwoc_8BRAcEiwAzJevtZ5_SNhNZDLmtWjLxH71lcVn3Fixh1qpRRYGab8uy5jYIcBRk3Fb8hoCxpQQAvD_BwE
Print out and cut up cards.
- December 13 Homemade Christmas Gifts page 36
- December 20 Christmas Card Prayers page 26
- December 21 Longest Night Prayer with Candle page 72
- December 24 Christmas Eve Candle page 78
Candles available from Dollar Tree: https://www.dollartree.com/glass-jar-candles-8/167532
Use the Michigan Conference Family Friendly Christmas Eve Service
- December 25 – January 5 12 Days of Family Time page 86
Fill out the 12 Days of Family Connection, let each member of your family choose at least one activity. Click here
More resources at the Michigan Conference Website
- https://michiganumc.org/resources/childrens-ministry-tool-box/seasonal-resources-advent/
- Free Devotional for all ages: #pictureadvent (keep checking the link above for more details)
*Resources for Faithful Families Christmas Book gathered by Rev. Mary Hagley
at Dixboro UMC. If you have questions email at [email protected].