Idea for discussion: HOW DOES YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG CONNECT TO CHRISTMAS? Ask each teen to consider their favorite Christmas song, and how it connects to the holiday. (This means they may have to think a little harder about how "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" intersects with the Nativity than "Silent Night" does!) Have a couple of your own ready to go to start the conversation.... Have them share in small groups, and let the groups pick one to share with the larger group. Challenge to add - as one teen says the name of a song, challenge the others to write down an many lyrics as they can... (shows the influence of music, and possibly how we can 'hear' without truly listening... after the song is presented, discuss any words or phrases they do not understand. Look up any you do not know to share the answers the following week!) Ones that are easily tied to the Nativity could include:
What others would you/your teens add to the list? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This can easily be adapted for use with YOUNG ADULTS (and you can probably have them play the songs from their cell phones for all to hear) and for FAMILY MINISTRY by asking families to work together as a small group. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ One quick personal reflection on "Mary Did you Know?" and "Breath of Heaven" I recently read one article critiquing the theology of the first song, but I have to say that it was a transformational song for me along with "Breath of Heaven"... these two songs gave me a deeper respect for Mary, the Mother of God. Before reflecting upon the lyrics, I pretty much glossed over level of sacrifice and pain that Mary may have experienced in her saying "YES" to God via Gabriel. These two songs helped me to relate a bit more to the humanity of this young girl who once walked the earth. Perhaps I did did not before give her credit for having emotions, except for when I envisioned her crying during the Stations of the Cross. Since I have not experienced pregnancy, I never really thought much about how she could have felt which Jesus grew in her womb. Since I have not given birth, I had not really considered the physical pain being paired with emotional concerns for his health and safety and well-being even though she KNEW he was God's own son. However, especially in the second song, I learned that doubting or questioning are not the important aspect of the story... faithfulness is! Even IF Mary wondered if she were worthy, she remained faithful. Even if Mary didn't completely comprehend how Jesus would suffer as a young adult, she new He was in God's hands and she just needed to do what God called her to do, Who God called her to be. Isn't that we are all asked? While my epiphany moments began after first hearing "Breath of Heaven" back in 1992, I still pause each Advent to deepen my appreciation and work on my own openness to God's call in my life. ********************************************************************************************* Lyrics: "Mary Did You Know" (originally by Mark Lowry (lyrics) and Buddy Greene (melody)) Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your Baby Boy has come to make you new? This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you. Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand? Did you know that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod? When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God? Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo The blind will see. The deaf will hear. The dead will live again. The lame will leap. The dumb will speak The praises of The Lamb. Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation? Mary, did you know that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations? Did you know that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb? The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am. ********************************************************************* Breath of Heaven(CHRIS EATON, AMY GRANT) I have travelled many moonless night Cold and weary, with a babe inside And I wonder what I've done Holy Father, you have come And chosen me now To carry your son I am waiting in a silent prayer I am frightened by the load I bear In a world as cold as stone, Must I walk this path alone? Be with me now Be with me now Breath of heaven Hold me together Be forever near me Breath of heaven Breath of heaven Light up my darkness Pour over me your holiness For you are holy Breath of heaven Do you wonder as you watch my face If a wiser one one should have had my place But I offer all I am For the mercy of your plan Help me be strong Help me be Help me Breath of heaven Hold me together Be forever near me Breath of heaven Breath of heaven Light up my darkness Pour over me your holiness For you are holy Breath of heaven Hold me together Be forever near me Breath of heaven Breath of heaven Light up my darkness Pour over me your holiness For you are holy Breath of heaven Breath of heaven Breath of heaven
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I love this idea 'borrowed' from Catholics Mobilizing: An Advent Jar What’s an Advent Jar you ask? Well, it’s just like an advent calendar, except you use a jar and Popsicle sticks. This is a creative and fun way to incorporate prayer, scripture, service and family time into your Advent journey as a family (or with roommates or even alone). For this project you will need: Mason Jar 26 Large popsicle sticks (the ones that are like tongue depressors) – colored ones are best 2” Wide Ribbon ½” wide ribbon Fine tip Sharpies Glue dots Starting with a clean, empty mason jar, cut the wide ribbon long enough to wrap completely around the jar with a bit extra on the ends to fold over. Fold over one end of the wide ribbon about an 1/8 of an inch. Using glue dots or double sided tape, adhere the large ribbon to the jar. Cut the ½” ribbon long enough to wrap around the jar with enough extra to make a bow. Place the smaller ribbon so it lays over the wider ribbon and tie it around the jar using a bow to secure it. Once the jar and ribbon is done, it is time to make your advent jar popsicle sticks. Using a fine tip sharpie families (or roommates or even an individual, as I did) should select 26 things – either from the list below, or they can make their own – that they can do throughout Advent. Write one thing on each stick and place it in the jar. Each morning, take 2 seconds before running out the door to grab a stick and make that your goal for the day. Or if your family (roommates) gathers for dinner take the stick out before diner and talk over dinner about doing that item for the day. If you draw one that you can not do that day, simply place it back and draw another. 1. Say a prayer for someone who is sick or lonely 2. Drive around the neighborhood to look at Christmas Lights 3. Go out to the town’s annual tree lighting 4. Go to Church this Sunday as a family 5. Do something nice for some who you may not always like 6. Bake Christmas Cookies and listen to Christmas music 7. Read a favorite Christmas story together as a family 8. Decorate the Christmas tree as a family 9. Baking cookies for Santa – make extra to give to neighbors or those who are homeless 10. Read the Nativity story – Luke 2:1-14 11. Send a letter to a family member that lives far away 12. Set up the Nativity 13. Pray Psalm 25 together as a family 14. Write a note to a family member telling them one thing you are thankful for – about them! 15. Offer to help with a chore that is not normally “yours” 16. Make a Christmas Card for your favorite teacher and give it to them 17. Say a prayer at dinner for all those who are hungry 18. Do a kind act for a neighbor 19. Read the story of St. Nicholas whose Feast Day is celebrated during Advent 20.Make 5 Christmas cards and deliver to a hospital or nursing home 21. Make hot chocolate and watch a Christmas movie as a family 22. Pray the joyful mysteries of the Rosary as a family – dedicate your prayers to those who go without 23.Collect change for 5 days – the entire family collects all their extra change each day – donate what you collected to an organization that helps those who are sick. 24.Pray for those who do not have families during this holiday season 25.Wrap presents for friends and family 26. Write your own ideas..... (Could also write carious Scripture verses on each stick to help you remember to include the Bible in your daily life!) I found green and red craft sticks at Dollar Tree (40 for $1) as well as ribbon and a jar...so this can be done very inexpensively and can be used from year to year! Happy Advent! |
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*** Note: The Office Blog is now inactive, but posted for continued reference as needed (6/30/21) ***Cindee Case, MPSFormer Director of the Diocese of Youngstown Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry (2/2002 - 6/2021) Archives
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