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Thrive! Journal - Edition #6
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The Christmas Toolbox
Christmas is just around the corner. Do you know how you are going to help your students (and families) enter into this holy season? Here are a few resources you might be able to use. Some are fun, some are prayer resources.
Games & Activities
There are so many places to find fun activities and games for Christmas. A quick review of some of our past toolbox entries will yield a ton of great results. Here is where I would start:
Download Youth Ministry: www.downloadyouthministry.com
The Source for Youth Ministry: www.thesource4ym.com
Taking Christmas to the Next Level
I think a more difficult part of celebrating Christmas among our Youth or Young Adult Ministries is how to help students reflect on what the real "reason for the season" is in creative ways. Here are a few angles you might be able to use to help students experience Christ in a new way this season.
"O" Antiphons
If you know the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, you know the "O" Antiphons, even if you didn't know they were referred to in that way. Its not difficult to find information about them, but I did come across an interesting way to present it, or it could even be a craft or some sort. It is directed at those that work with younger kids, but I think the concept is easily transmitted to older students as well.
http://catholicmom.com/2017/12/15/bringing-o-antiphons-alive-children/
Christmas Reflection Videos
Sometimes finding a great video to use in a prayer service is a life-saver. Worship House Media produces some great videos. I do wish they weren't as expensive as they are, but sometimes, its just worth it.
https://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies
Matt Maher's "The Advent of Christmas" Album
Matt Maher just released a great new Advent and Christmas Album. We have been listening to it a lot around our office. It also has a few pieces that can be learned by your musicians if you have them or played for prayer in the church in front of the Nativity and/or Blessed Sacrament. It is available on Spotify or for purchase (I'm always a big fan of supporting artists by buying their albums).
https://www.mattmahermusic.com/
Games & Activities
There are so many places to find fun activities and games for Christmas. A quick review of some of our past toolbox entries will yield a ton of great results. Here is where I would start:
Download Youth Ministry: www.downloadyouthministry.com
The Source for Youth Ministry: www.thesource4ym.com
Taking Christmas to the Next Level
I think a more difficult part of celebrating Christmas among our Youth or Young Adult Ministries is how to help students reflect on what the real "reason for the season" is in creative ways. Here are a few angles you might be able to use to help students experience Christ in a new way this season.
"O" Antiphons
If you know the song O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, you know the "O" Antiphons, even if you didn't know they were referred to in that way. Its not difficult to find information about them, but I did come across an interesting way to present it, or it could even be a craft or some sort. It is directed at those that work with younger kids, but I think the concept is easily transmitted to older students as well.
http://catholicmom.com/2017/12/15/bringing-o-antiphons-alive-children/
Christmas Reflection Videos
Sometimes finding a great video to use in a prayer service is a life-saver. Worship House Media produces some great videos. I do wish they weren't as expensive as they are, but sometimes, its just worth it.
https://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies
Matt Maher's "The Advent of Christmas" Album
Matt Maher just released a great new Advent and Christmas Album. We have been listening to it a lot around our office. It also has a few pieces that can be learned by your musicians if you have them or played for prayer in the church in front of the Nativity and/or Blessed Sacrament. It is available on Spotify or for purchase (I'm always a big fan of supporting artists by buying their albums).
https://www.mattmahermusic.com/
