All Christmas articles
-
ArticleTwelve-week Advent prep
Autumn is sweeping around again, with the new school year and the leaves turning gold. I wonder if you have ever thought, ‘Maybe I should plan Advent early this year?’
-
BlogJesus is for life, not just for Christmas
With Christmas just around the corner, you may have already slipped into auto-pilot regarding the events you attend and the things you do. Alex Taylor thinks it’s time to think afresh about what you are doing so that your works benefits for the rest of the year too.
-
-
BlogCome thou unexpected Christmas
Many of us will have been fighting to shatter the peaceful but one-dimensional snow globe scene of the Christmas story for years, highlighting the light and shade that makes the birth of Jesus such an epic tale. But something about reading it in the light of the ups and downs of 2020 has made the unexpected parts of the story stand out more than ever before. Diving into them can help us explore our sense of confusion, exhaustion, disappointment and excitement at celebrating Christmas on shifting snow (or sand, who knows with this year!).
-
BlogChristmas rebooted
Christmas; the one time of year when you know exactly what you’re doing, right?
-
BlogWhat can we learn about Christmas from sausage rolls?
Christmas: a time of giving, loving and – of course – the coveted Christmas Number 1. Over six decades we’ve seen everything from Bohemian Rhapsody to Band Aid, Mary’s Boy Child to the Spice Girls (even Bob the Builder made it to the top once); and now, for the second year in a row, a chart-topping song about sausage rolls.
-
IssuesIn case of an emergency: Uses for leftover Christmas paraphernalia
Click here to view the PDF.
-
Faith at homeForming faith rituals: Faith at home at Christmas
Advent and Christmas are notoriously busy; so much so that there could be a case for not bothering to do anything faith-focused at home and just starting again in the new year. However, I believe it’s such a wonderful season that we would be crazy not to take advantage of the opportunities.
-
BlogHow not to make the local paper at Christmas
One assembly may have gone to plan but it may not have been the best plan…
-
Faith at homeIt was the first Christmas
Here is a story for you to tell at home, perhaps at bedtime or as part of a God time during the day. Read the whole story at once, or split it up into verses, depending on how much time you have. You could also use it as part of a children’s session.
-
Faith at homeBlack Friday and Christmas
Nori Chesney looks at the implications of black Friday on our families and how to build Christmas traditions as grandparents.
-
Faith at home
Christmas Tradition
Christmas is a funny time for Christians because it’s a central story for us, but the festival has become all sorts of things to all sorts of people.
-
BlogSadness brings hope: a story for Christmas
Christmas is always a great time for stories. Jane Howarth offers a festive yarn to enjoy and share this Christmas.
-
BlogHappy Birthday Santa! The Christmas story half of children believe
Over half of children think Christmas is Santa's birthday and Jesus is a football player. Ed Mackenzie looks at what we can do to change these startling statistics.
-
BlogDisadvantaged children in London will get less for Christmas than an average pet
As children across the UK sharpen their pencils for their letters to Santa, the Childhood Trust have been using theirs to collect data from 22 different charities across London as well as wider figures from across the UK. The statistics they reveal are shocking.
-
Faith at homeFostering Faith at Christmas
As it’s nearly Christmas, Alex Taylor looks at what we can do to help children celebrate this important festival in our homes
-
Faith at homeForming faith rituals: Christmas
Christmas is a great time to celebrate Jesus. However, it is also a very busy time, so how do we make sure we find the space to celebrate Jesus together as a family? I think we need to be intentional, get prepared in advance and keep it simple.
-
Issues
Christmas Games
Christmas is often perceived as simply being a time of fun, frivolity and food. As youth workers who are interested in the holistic development of the young people we work with, why not battle this inadequate view of what the season is all about by playing these games, which neatly encapsulate fun, frivolity and food. I have included a handy ‘reason-for-the-season’ link for each game too incase you wish to take your group ‘deeper’ into the Christmas story.
-
IssuesChristmas at Ho-Ho Home
Church services, nativities, Christmas cards…It’s easy to get carried away IN the whirlwind of festive activities on offer. Despite this, most of our early memories of Christmas revolve around family traditions. Jane Butcher gives us her top tips for a creative Christmas at ho-ho-home (sorry, it had to be done).
