United Church of Christ
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) equips a courageous Church alive with Christ’s transforming love.
Scripture Text | Luke 1:26-38
Wonderings
1
When have you felt excited about doing something that is a big challenge for you?
2
How does joy come up through the process of doing something before getting to the end result?
Games/Movement
Dance a Yes
Materials: candle lighter or matches; Advent Wreath with five candles; optional: print the instructions
How to: Set an unlit Advent Wreath in an accessible space for children. Light the first three Advent Wreath candles and observe the flames together, how they are moving.
- Ask: How do you think it feels to be a flame? How do you think it feels to be so full of potential?
- Then, stepping away from the candles: Invite everyone to be like a flame. Stand tall. Feel the breeze or a breath and splutter. Move like a flame!
- Regroup to reflect and connect.
Reflect:
- How does it feel to move smoothly? To burn brightly?
- How does a flame decide to burn bright or die out, when a breath or breeze blows on it?
- What does “yes” feel like?
- How does it feel to know that you are so full of potential?
Creative Project
Joy Poem (or Song or Story)
Materials: your voices. Optional: paper and pencil to write things down; instruments to layer in sounds.
How to: Sit in a circle and select an order in which participants will take turns.
- Take turns saying one word or phrase at a time, adding to a joyful shared song/poem/story.
- The only rules are that you add to what has come before you (hint: listen carefully!), and that there are no ‘wrong’ answers. Support participation by inviting repetition, circling back to phrases, and even writing down what you hear so you can read it back.
- If the group is bold, you can put the words to music or turn it into a story to act out.
Caring for the Common Good
Hosting a reverse advent calendar donation drive?Check in with kids to learn how their Daily Giving Challenge is going and offer encouragement to keep going (or restart relaxed efforts).
Share Joy with Elders
Reach out to a senior community center or nursing home. Offer to connect joyfully in a way that works best for both their needs and your group’s interests.
Ideas for joyful connection:
- Sing carols together, over video chat or in person.
- Read poems and passages, over video chat or in person.
- Craft joke-filled cards with the tips below.
Joyful card-making tips:
- Bring a joke book, print this list of silly holiday-themed jokes, or print this list of more jokes for kids to include in cards.
- Invite kids to create silly art that illustrates their jokes. Googly-eyed animals like this reindeer, sweet thumbprint snowmen, or these cute cupcake liner angels would all be fun ways to dress up a hand-made card.
Reflect:
- What phrases or images might make someone smile this Christmas season?
- How can we share joy with elders in our own lives?
- What family members, neighbors, or friends do you want to share joy with this season?
Books
Picture Books
- Paulie Pastrami Achieves World Peace by James Proimos
Equal parts silly and sweet, this fun tale is sure to add heart and giggles to storytime. Pair this book with a quick act of kindness for a fun, family adventure. - Everywhere Wonder by Matthew Swanson
Take a journey through the imagination of a child and practice discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary.
Chapter Books
- A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
Learn to appreciate the many, crooked ways we are all perfect. - Unidentified Suburban Object by Mike Jung
This hilariously relatable fish-out-of-water story will captivate middle-grade readers.
Additional Resources
- More Service-Minded Ideas:
- Send cheerful holiday mail with the national organization: Love for our Elders
- Reach out to a local children’s hospital instead to see what their donation needs are. Create activity kits and cheerful cards to encourage them during their hospital stay.
- Additional Books: Slacker by Gordon Korman; Sing a Song: How “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Inspired a Generation by Kelly Starling Lyons
- Also, check out these picture books or chapter books that celebrate older adults and aging. These books show older adults as the dynamic, complex people they are.