Yes, I know. I am kind of late sharing Advent and Christmas ideas. But I have been busy: I started my DMIN this fall, I am supervising a diakonal intern, and all the normal pastor ministry stuff! It’s been a great fall, so if you can’t use these ideas now, maybe you can next year. Haha.

Pop – Up Christmas Program: Today we had the annual pop-up Christmas program at one of our smaller campuses. This year, I decided to write the script to the “12 Days of Christmas!” but instead, I called it the “12 Hours of Christmas!” People loved singing it! It would make a great Christmas Eve program for a family service. If you do that, hide the number items in the sanctuary for the kids to find and add to a nativity tableau. (For example, if it says 3 donkeys – I hid 3 donkeys for the kids to find.)

Toys for Tots: We have a volunteer whose passion is Toys for Tots. For over 30 years, he has lead a group from Bethlehem, and together they have raised over $5000 to buy toys for kids in need. The Target shopping trip to spend the money and buy the gifts is an Advent highlight. It’s an amazing project with a long history! Highly recommend this service project.

A Good is so God Christmas Program: Like I said, a Christmas Program is a little late for this year, but if you need an idea for next year, here you go!

Why Now? Christmas Countdown Devotions! Here are a set of devotions about “Why now?” we need Jesus. When cut up, kids can create a Christmas countdown – paper chain. There are 24 little stories, one for each day from December 1 – 24.