Christmas Pack #8 - The Light Shines in the Darkness
Introduction to this pack
Index for this SectionINTRODUCTION
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it." John 1:5*
Christ was born into a troubled world. There was poverty, oppression, abuse of human rights, economic exploitation and global instability. The people of Judea must have been desperate to believe that a little babe born in a back alley stable could make any difference. But the prophets said his coming would be good news to the poor, that his message was peace on earth and good will to all.
Even though there was no revolution, no overnight justice, no outward sign of the kingdom come on earth, Christ was and is a light to the darkness of world crisis.
Working for a More Just World
One way to celebrate Christ's birth is to participate in his incarnation by working for a more just world. Christmas can be a time to proclaim the light of Christ before the darkness of war, hunger and homelessness, cruel treatment of prisoners and the problem of human greed. If it isn't the churches' business, whose business is it?
What You Can Do
- Challenge the commercialization of Christmas and call fix ways to celebrate that help to fulfill the promise of Christ's birth
- Ask members of your congregation to divert at least 25% of what they spent last Christmas to alleviate some of the worlds suffering
- Call for a still deeper commitment to justice issues which involves giving of oneself and one's resources year round, not just at Christmas
- Designate Advent as a time to focus on the meaning of Christ's birth in a troubled world
- Encourage families in your congregation to explore their role in helping to create a more just world
- Offer a workshop or discussion group about the Santa Claus tradition and how it affects Christmas celebration
- Make less consumer oriented lifestyles and more responsible celebrations a year round focus
- Plan an alternative Christmas festival
- Conduct an alternative Christmas workshop
- Use Christmas as a time to plan a year round outreach program to provide food, clothing, medical help, education or advocacy for the poor or disenfranchised people Christ came to serve*
*Light and darkness are ancient, archetypal images for two poles of human experience. In Western culture (including the Greek culture which shaped the Gospel of John), darkness has acquired a negative connotation. It stands for the irrational, the unknown, chaos and evil. The history of this symbolization shows absolutely no connection between the origin of "darkness" as a symbolic image and dark skinned people. Whatever association exists between the two is the result of unfortunate later developments. No such association is intended here.
How To Use the Pieces in this Packet
"THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS" packet is a second level resource designed to make Christmas a time of commitment to a more just world. Presenting Christ's birth as a triumph of light in a troubled time, the packet includes resources for changing the focus of Christmas celebrations in the family and larger community, as well as in the congregation.
Christmas Planning Resource. This piece is an important introduction to the idea of alternative Christmas celebrations. It includes precise instructions for planning and organizing alternative Christmas celebrations in the congregation, as well as a complete description of both Christmas packets and a variety of other useful resources. (Available free from Alternatives.)
"Lighting New Paths: Reflections on Hope by Those Whose Work is Hopeless." This reflective piece can form the basis for four "minutes for mission" sessions during the four weeks of Advent. It can also be the basis for discussions in Sunday School classes or study groups. The pieces lend themselves to being read aloud in conjunction with the "Advent Activities for the Family."
"Advent Activities for the Family.'' Designed for home use, this piece can be distributed to congregations or Sunday School Classes, or presented for use in families at an intergenerational gathering in which families form small dusters and "practice" using the resource together by sharing the first session. The Advent Activities can also be adapted for intergenerational. use during the weeks of Advent.
"St. Nicholas, A Puppet Play." This play can be presented to people of any age level to introduce the idea of a Christmas celebration based more on giving than getting. It can be used as the feature presentation of an alternative Christmas festival; as a project for youth groups; to help parents who want to dismantle Santa Claus traditions in their homes present new ideas to their children; to offer a different perspective on Christmas to the congregation or community at large.
"War Toys and Christmas: A Contradiction in Terms." Designed to help parents, educators, church school teachers and clergy be aware of this culture's phenomenon of violent toys, this piece is useful as a resource for discussion groups at home, at school or at church. Activities and resources are suggested for families and communities that want to be forceful in their opposition to war toys.
"Guidelines for Giving II." To help individuals and families decide how to plan their alternative Christmas giving, Guidelines Il emphasizes commitment to work on justice issues through a checklist of possible projects and concentrations. Guidelines 11 can be used in conjunction with "Advent Activities for the Family," at Christmas festivals focusing on justice issues, or in Sunday School classes or study groups using the "Lighting New Paths" reflective material.
Bulletin insert. This piece can be distributed in church bulletins during pre Advent, Advent or Christmas season services, in church school classes, for distribution at conferences, at Christmas festivals, or on campuses.
Posters. Use the poster to announce special services, study groups, alternative Christmas festivals or workshops; or display it on church bulletin boards, in Sunday School classes or on campuses.
Alternative Christmas Gift Card. "We celebrate Christ's birth by continuing his work" appears on the front of this blue and white folded 4 by 5 inch card. The inside reads, "In your name, a gift hit,,
been given to ________ by ____________.
Simple Living Works! * SimpleLivingWorks@Yahoo.com
BLOG: SimpleLivingWorks.WordPress.com
| Blog INDEX
PODCAST |
Podcast INDEX
VIDEOS: YouTube.com/SimpleLivingWorks
MISSION: Equipping people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly and celebrate responsibly // An all volunteer educational organization.