Conference yukon::christian_v7

Good idea! 
	Right place
		Right time!

Welcome, Amy!  It's late here (UK), and I have to get home, because the 
car's needed, but I'll think about this one.  Some basic ideas, but it 
depends on the age & relationship of the participants, and their spiritual
stance - are they all Christians, who would respond to the Bible readings,
etc? 

I look forward to seeing the ideas!

						God bless
								Andrew

    Thank you Andrew, for your quick response.
    
    The ages will be varied.  From 5 months and upwards.  Most will be
    adults.  Children range from 5 months to 17 years old.  The people
    that will be coming are from my church and friends.  Most are
    Christian, but one or two are searching.  The teens in the group
    are believers and I do want to make it special for them as well.
    
    In Him,
    Amy

>                       <<< Note 643.2 by MAIL2::MANZO >>>
>                               -< Ages - varied >-

>    The ages will be varied.  From 5 months and upwards.  Most will be
>    adults.  Children range from 5 months to 17 years old.  The people
>    that will be coming are from my church and friends.  Most are
>    Christian, but one or two are searching.  The teens in the group
>    are believers and I do want to make it special for them as well.
    
    Amy,

    Since one or two are "searching", scripture reading may be very
    appropriate, especially if you begin by reading some of the old
    testament prophecies about Jesus' coming followed by the new testament
    accounts of the birth of Christ.  You might even go a little further by
    reading scripture where Jesus professes who He is, perhaps the account
    of when He reads the verses in the temple and then proclaims that they
    are fulfilled.

    For the children, you might have some singing, selecting songs that are
    simple and that the children can relate to.  Perhaps you could do a
    variation of what Pam does in her house.  If you have a manger scene,
    you could have the children take the figurines and have them "travel"
    from far corners of the house to find the baby Jesus.  Reading the
    scripture verses of the Maji searching for Jesus prior to the children
    actually beginning the "journey" could be beneficial.

    Finally, how about everyone taking a turn telling of something that
    makes Christmas special to them.  Repeats would be quite acceptable.
    In this way, the searchers may not be made to feel uncomfortable, i.e.;
    they would have the option to simply repeat what someone else has said.
    You may want this to follow the scripture readings.

    Hope this helps.

    Ron

    P.S.  Welcome!

I like Ron's ideas there...  You could have little things to be unwrapped 
that represent parts of the passages being read, to bring them to life for 
the children.  Very small things, just to illustrate the story, not to 
replace or overshadow people's gifts that would be exchanged at other times 
in the day.  Maybe even items for the nativity scene, as Ron suggested.  
That could keep little fingers occupied, and attention focussed, as they 
wait to see if it's a black sheep or a white sheep... not a real one ... ;-)
A little bottle of bath salts, or some such, from the drug store to 
represent frankincense, etc...

							Andrew

    Andrew and Ron,
    
    I like your ideas.  Amy, I'm glad you started this topic.  I
    am having a family Christmas party next Monday and am quite
    nervous.  It is the first time that the family is getting together
    at our house in over a year.  
    
    I am still trying to decide exactly what to do with regards to
    scripture reading.  Most of the family are Christians, two are
    open and searching and one is against the idea and is feeling
    pushed by my sis-in-law and is starting to resent it.  I don't
    want to push him further away by forcing him to participate in
    scripture reading but I don't want the rest of the family to
    miss out on the joy of retelling the miraculous story of our
    Saviour's birth!  So, I will be thinking about this one.
    
    Amy,  I will try to think of some other ideas for you....
    and welcome!
    
    Pam

    Thank you Ron, Andrew and Pam.  Some very good
    ideas.  I certainly will incorporate many of
    these on the Eve of His birth.
    
    Thanks again and regards,
    In Him,
    Amy

    My children are 7 and 10.  We have been singing "Happy birthday" to
    Jesus every since they were born.  All the kids know the song and we
    put alittle manger scene on top the cake.  It's simple but it works for
    my family cause some of them forget what the true meaning of Christmas
    is.

	We told Emily that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birthday,
	and she's been singing Happy Birthday in the car lately...

	Only she sings "happy birthday dear Christmas"

	attempts at correction are severely rebuffed!

	Karen

    .7
    
    ha!!! I do exactly the same thing.. minus the hay on the birthday cake!
    :-)
    
    We then read the scripture on Christ's birth and pray before any
    present is EVER opened.

    
    
    Nancy,
    
    Put some light brown colored frosting into a well cleaned garlic
    press.   squeeze it on to the cake - presto - hay that's fit
    to eat!
    
    Pam

    .10
    
    WHAT?????????? spit-ptooey! 

>    Put some light brown colored frosting into a well cleaned garlic
>    press.   squeeze it on to the cake - presto - hay that's fit
>    to eat!
>    
>    Pam

That's actually a very nifty idea!

Nancy, leave out the garlic.  ;-)

MM

    .12
    
    OH... :-) leave out the garlic.. yeah I got that... [blush]

 Send me the garlic!

    The following poem might be an appropriate replacement for a reading of
    the "Night Before Christmas" :^) :^)  :^)
    
    ...Kathy
    
    
    
    
    Author Unknown
    
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    T'was the night before Jesus came all through the house,
    Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
    Their Bibles were laid on the shelf without care,
    All hoping that Jesus would not arrive there.
    
    The children were dressed to crawl into bed,
    Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
    And Mom in her rocker with babe on her lap,
    Was watching the late Show while I took a nap.
    
    When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
    I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
    Away to the window I flew like a flash,
    Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
    
    When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
    But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here!
    With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
    I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
    
    The light of His face made me cover my head,
    It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
    And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
    I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
    
    In the Book of Life which He held in His hand,
    Was written the name of every saved man.
    He spoke not a word as He searched for my name,
    When He said, "It's not here," my head fell in shame.
    
    The people whose names had been written with love,
    He gathered to take to His Father above.
    With those who were ready He rose without sound,
    While all of the rest were left standing around.
    
    I fell to my knees, but it was too late,
    I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
    I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
    Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
    
    In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
    The second coming of Jesus draws near.
    There's only one life and when comes the last call,
    We'll know that the Bible is true after all!