Archives: Christmas Campaign |
Christmas Campaign Kit
This collection was produced for several years, ending in 2007. It contained new items produced the year of issue, such as Whose Birthday? plus many of the items from previous years.NOTE: Please ignore the out-of-date contact information for Alternatives on some PDF's. Instead, use SimpleLivingWorks.org. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Table of Contents
- Christmas Campaign Planning Guide
- WHOSE Birthday? Podcast annual series
- Alternative Giving Card: We Honor Christ's Birth by Continuing His Work [PDF in Simple Living 101]
- Bearing Gifts Does Not Make Us Wise.
- Buy Me Nothing. I'll Still Love You.
- Carols with Justice - TEXT, Audio, Video
- The Christmas Game
- The Christmas Game II
- Gratitude Card Please, No Presents. Your Presence, Please. (Whose Birthday? #16) [ GRAPHIC present1.jpg, GRAPHIC present2.jpg ] | PDF
- Let's Talk About Christmas worksheet [PDF in Simple Living 101]
- Christmas Budget Worksheet [in Simple Living 101]
- Prayerful Santa card (bottom of page)
- Ten Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas
- What Does Jesus Want for Christmas? - pageant (text) | AUDIO (scroll down a bit)
- What Is a Gift? Bulletin Insert [ GRAPHIC 3-A521, from Christmas Packet #12 ]
- Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?
- Whose Birthday? bumper sticker PDF
- Simple Living stickers PDF - Send a Message! on packages, envelopes
- Whose Birthday? AUDIO 2006 | 2007 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003
- Christmas Audio Sampler Scroll down to the audio programs that interest you.
- Christmas Audio Trilogy Scroll down to Let's Get off the Christmas Roller-Coaster, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Celebration Revolution of Alexander Scrooge and What Does JESUS Want for Christmas?.
- Vision of Simpler Living Scroll down to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Celebration Revolution of Alexander Scrooge and Break Forth into Joy: Beyond a Consumer Lifestyle.
Christmas Campaign Kit
Alternatives' Christmas Campaign Planning Guide
Yes, your congregation can have a more Christ-centered, less commercial Christmas! Alternatives can help.Here's the plan for a BIG Campaign. Use your imagination. Change it as you like. For something more modest, use elements that work for you.
This campaign can be the first step that leads to life-long simpler living.
All the resources mentioned in the plan are here on this site for free. Most of the resources produced by Alternatives are also available on one CD-ROM: "Simply the Best: Over 30 Years of Alternatives" (over 1500 pages!) Many selections may be read at http://SimpleLiving.org/Archives/index.html. Be a self-starter!
For Spanish speakers substitute "Adviento" for "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?"
Elements of the Campaign
1. EVENT. Options include, but not limited to:
A. A festival for everybody in your community, focusing on alternative giving. Try a simple open house on a Sunday afternoon with 1) healthy snacks made by members of your congregation, 2) sign boards listing alternative gifts, 3) booths with self-help Third World crafts and brochures from Heifer Project, Habitat for Humanity, and others. Include booths for social service organizations in your community.
B. A Christmas simplification workshop for adults in your community.
C. A workshop for adults in your congregation on alternative ways to celebrate Christmas
D. A skit or short play with people or puppets about St. Nicholas, for example, can be a part of a larger congregational or community event.
2. EDUCATION. Options include, not limited to:
A. Schedule adult forum or small groups sessions for special topics throughout the fall and/or the four Sundays in Advent.
B. Schedule classes for children and teens throughout the fall and/or the Sundays in Advent.
C. Schedule classes for the whole congregation on the theme of peace.
3. WORSHIP. Options include, but not limited to:
A. Prepare an Order of Service that reflects the season or that emphasizes relationships with people.
B. Develop, write and deliver a sermon or sermon series for adult and/or kids on discipleship through simple living or on shifting the focus toward building relationships with others and away from stuff.
4. GENERAL PROMOTION. Options include, but are not limited to:
A. Post and rotate powerful messages on your bulletin boards.
B. Reprint art and articles in your newsletter, e-newsletter or web site. Be sure to credit SimpleLivingWorks.org so that your readers can be in touch with us.
C. Reprint art and articles, or insert resources in your worship folder.
D. Encourage the use of resources within households and circles of friends and relatives.
SimpleLivingWorks.org provides help planning Lenten studies and life-long education in simpler living.
copyright Creative Commons (originally 2003 Alternatives for Simple Living)
Christmas Campaign Kit
What Does JESUS Want for Christmas?
AUDIO | Media ReleaseAn Alternative Christmas Pageant/Service/Program/Event
Based on Carols with Justice
This intergenerational event mixes brief scenes and carols, is easy to produce and flexible in length. Any scene can be included or not. The original purchaser has permission to copy scripts on recycled paper.
Contents:
Scene 1
Scene 1 (variation)
Scene 2 - Thoughts While Not Listening to the Christmas Story
The Story of Jason, "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" (optional)
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (optional 18 minute video - tape or DVD - reading or scene)
Program (sample)
Ten Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas (program back)
Purpose: to avoid fantasy that passes as mystery at Christmas, and to give a strong element of social justice to the traditional pageant.
Adapt scripts as needed. (The script texts are also on the CD-ROM "Simply the Best: Over 30 Years of Alternatives," v.2.0.)
Instructions: Everyone in the congregation must have access to ALL of the carols' words used in the pageant -- either in a printed program or projected on a screen.
The accompanist, song leader and soloists need a copy of the Carols with Justice music. Since most of the tunes are well known, the event organizer can copy the texts from this site for your printed or projected program.
Costumes and stage: Modern day dress (preferably without commercial logos). Traditional creche at front. Lower house lights during scenes; raise them for carol singing. Soloist/choir may be visible or not but should not distract from the carols' words. All speakers must speak slowly and clearly. Mic actors if possible.
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Scene 1 SCRIPT
What Does Jesus Really Want for His Birthday?
Six-ten elementary students gathered around teacher.
Teacher: We all know that birthday parties can be fun. I want you to imagine that you are going to Jesus' birthday party. The magi brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. What gift would you bring?
[hands shoot up]
Student 1: a new video game!
Student 2: some Legos
Student 3: my favorite movie
Student 4: a birthday cake
Student 5: lots of party hats
Student 6: a Christmas tree
Narrator: Let's think a minute. When we celebrate a birthday, we are careful to give what the person really wants or needs. Is there any doubt what Jesus wants from us? He tells us that in order to give to him, we will find him and our joy in helping people who are hungry, thirsty, new to town or our school, don't have a winter coat, are sick or even people in prison.
By helping to provide a goat for a farmer in Honduras, a decent home for a family in a poor part of Mississippi, or food for those who are victims of war, we give Jesus a birthday gift he really wants.
Teacher: Can you think of something to give Jesus that's not a thing? This might be a little harder. A gift that's not a thing. Let's sing to get some ideas.
#1 - Angels We Have Heard on High (stanza 1- congregation; 2-3 - soloists)
Student 1: Oh, you mean like peace, helping people get along!
Student 2: How about taking care of the Earth?!
Student 3: I can sing, too. Singing isn't stuff!
Student 4: I can tell people how having Jesus in their lives can help them have less stress and debt, be more hopeful, and live happier.
Teacher: Let's see what the hymn, The First Noel, tells us about what else we can do.
#15 - The First Noel (stanzas 1& 2 - congregation)
Student 5: Does care for the Earth mean that I should hug the dirt?
Student 6: No, silly! It means that we try not to pollute or be wasteful. Instead we do things that keep plants and animals and water and air healthy.
Student 3: Like recycling and picking up trash at school?
Student 4: That's good. I try to think and decide if something I do is good for the Earth and will keep it healthy and beautiful. The answer to that question helps me decide what to do.
Teacher: That is a really good idea! Let's see what the hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem" tells us about gift giving.
#10 - O Little Town of Bethlehem (stanza 1-congregation, 5-soloist)
Student 1: I don't get this song!!
Student 2: I don't either!
Student 1: What is "willful waste"?
Student 2: Is "avarice" like licorice? Is it candy?
Student 3: I'm guessing that "worthless taste" is those cold French Fries that I found on the diningroom table this morning. I tried one, yuck!
Student 4: Well, I get what the last two lines mean -- God gives us treasures and we should share them with other people.
Teacher: Thank goodness! Let's see. "Willful waste" means to waste things on purpose. Like taking lots more food on your plate than you know you could ever eat.
Student 5: I did that, then I felt bad.
Teacher: "Avarice" is not a candy. It is another word for greed. Wanting to have lots of things just because you want lots of things. Avarice makes us think of ourselves and things more than other people and what is best for everybody.
Student 6: I try to think of other people, but I admit that sometimes I only think of myself!
Teacher: It gets easier to do as you practice, believe me. You will get better at having "charity" as the hymn says.
[All exit during next carol.]
*************************************
Scene 1 SCRIPT variation
What Does Jesus Really Want for His Birthday?
Four-five actors kneel at creche like the magi/shepherds.
Narrator: Imagine that you are going to honor the baby Jesus. The magi brought gold, frankincense and myrrh. What gift would you bring?
Student 1: My new toy machine gun. [reverently takes it from out of view and places it in front of the manger]
Adult 1: My credit card. [likewise]
Adult 2: My SUV. [likewise]
Teen: My imported sport shoes make in a sweatshop. [likewise]
Narrator: Let's think a minute. When we celebrate a birthday, we are careful to give what the person really wants or needs. Is there any doubt what Jesus wants from us? He tells us that in order to give to him, we will find him the face of people who are hungry, thirsty, new to town, without enough clothes or climate correct clothes, sick or in prison.
By helping to provide a goat for a farmer in Honduras, a decent home for a family in rural Mississippi, or food for those who are victims of war, we give Jesus a birthday gift he really wants.
Can you think of something to give Jesus that's not a thing? Let's sing to get some ideas.
#1 - Angels We Have Heard on High (stanza 1-congregation; 2-3-soloists)
Narrator: So, now can you think of something to give Jesus that's not a thing?
Student 1: Oh, you mean stuff like PEACE! Like helping people get along!
Adult 2: [pause, "gets it."] How about taking care of the Earth?!
Student 2: I think it means we are to give our time, money, and help to poor people.
Adult 1: I can tell people how having Jesus in their lives can help them have less stress and debt, be more hopeful, and live happier.
Narrator: Let's see what the hymn, The First Noel, tells us about what else we can do.
#15 - The First Noel (stanzas 1& 2 - congregation)
Adult 1: Maybe we have enough stuff already.
Student 1: Caring for the Earth means that we try not to pollute. Instead we do things that keep plants and animals and water and air healthy.
Student 2: Like recycling and picking up trash at school?
Student 1: That's good. But there's more. I try to think and decide if something I do is good for the Earth and will keep it healthy and beautiful. The answer to that question helps me decide what to do.
Narrator: That is a really good idea! Let's see what the hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem" tells us about gift giving.
#10 - O Little Town of Bethlehem (stanza 1-congregation, 5-soloist)
Student 2: Now those are gifts we can really get excited about!
All: Yeah!
[All exit during next carol.]
*************************************
Scene 2 SCRIPT
Thoughts While NOT Listening to the Christmas Story
Narrator at podium; two teenagers out of sight; three adults in back of church
[Narrator reads Christmas Story -- Luke 2:1-14 -- quietly. Two teenagers talk over the reading so the audience can clearly hear what they are saying.]
Teen 1: Yeah. I got a little puppy. Really cute and soft and cuddly and lively. But now I've got to teach him to use the newspaper, to be housebroken.
Teen 2: Oh yuck, you mean... oh yuck. We're trying to toilet train my little brother. What a mess.
Teen 1: My grampa used to tell me stories about cleaning out the barn on the farm. Am I glad I don't live on a farm. That's gross. Farm animals, yuck.
Teen 2: Dis-GUST-ing. Did you hear that?! Jesus was born in a manger, a feed box, a cattle stall. Have you EVER seen how much cows slobber?! Who would ever let their kid be born in all that stink and... and stuff. It's not even sanitary!
Teen 1: Yeah, he's lucky he survived. Sure glad nobody has to put up with that anymore!!
Teen 2: Well, at least nobody in America.
Teen 1: Yeah, right.
Narrator stops reading: Let's now sing Away in a Manger, Hymn #2, Stanza 1.
#2 - Away in a Manger (stanza 1-congregation; 5-soloist; other stanzas optional)
Narrator resumes muffled reading of Christmas story.
Adult 1: Did you see that new girl at work today?
Adult 2: Yeah, a foreigner. One of THEM.
Adult 1: She did show me some pictures of her kids. They sure are cute.
Adult 2: Kids. How many? How old?
Adult 1: She has four. I asked her how things were going and she said money was tight. I think I'll look through my kids' closet and see if there are some clothes that might fit her kids.
Adult 2: That's nice of you. I'll wait to see how I like her before I offer to help.
Adult 1: I guess we're supposed to love people even if we don't like 'em.
Narrator stops reading: Let's now sing It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Hymn #6, Stanza 1.
#6 - It Came Upon the Midnight Clear (stanza 1-congregation; soloist-5-8)
Narrator resumes muffled reading of Christmas story.
Adult 1: Let's see, I've got something for Jennifer and Angie. I need to run to the mall tomorrow and get the new salad shooter for Ruthie and the new computer game for little Ralphie. Hmmmm. I hope I don't exceed the limit on the credit card again this year. That hurt. Maybe I could call and try to get it raised again. I surely don't want to be a cheapskate like Jamie and give my kids and relatives hand-made stuff. I'd never live that down. Home made bread! Poetry! How old fashioned! Coupon books for baby sitting and lawn mowing! How juvenile. When there's so much new stuff to get and collect and show off and... and... and dust. That reminds me. I need to get a lock for my glass case. I can't take a chance of any of my prize plates getting stolen, especially with those new people from Africa moving in down the street.
Narrator stops reading: Let's now sing - Angels from the Realms of Glory, Hymn #9, stanzas 1 & 2.
#9 - Angels from the Realms of Glory (stanzas 1 & 2-congregation)
Narrator resumes muffled reading of Christmas story.
Adult 2: Swaddling cloths. Rags. How primitive. Couldn't Mary have done better than that? No wonder Jesus grew up being an outsider! He didn't have the right clothes... from the very beginning.
Adult 3: Shepherds. Bet those guys had body odor! No wonder Jesus grew up being an outsider! He never did associate with the right people... from the very beginning. He helped outcasts and lepers and women with low morals. No wonder the leaders got angry at him!
Adult 1: Now let's see, I've bought for three people. Two more to go. Got to hurry. Got dinner to get in the oven and a party to get ready to go to.
Narrator stops reading: Let's now sing What Child Is This, Hymn #13, stanza 1.
#13 - What Child Is This (stanza 1-congregation; 2, 3, 4-soloist)
Narrator resumes muffled reading of Christmas story.
Adult 2: I saw a commercial about starving children on TV last night.
Adult 3: I did too. It was really hard to watch. Those bloated stomaches and those sad eyes.
Adult 2: My husband looked into the organization and they make sure that almost all the money goes to help the kids.
Adult 3: I'm thinking about making a monthly donation to give food to starving children and cut back on my Christmas budget this year.
Adult 2: We already did it. We even sent each person on our list a note telling them that we had made a donation to feed a hungry child in their name. That way, more people are thinking about it and getting involved.
Adult 3: I'm still going to think about it. It's a big change for us at Christmas.
Adult 2: I guess we're supposed to love people even if we don't like 'em.
Adult 1: [appearing from the side of the stage]. Oh great! I've only got one more gift to buy! I'm not sure what to get for Melvin, he's got everything. Surely there must be something fun that I can find. Then off to sort, and wrap, and mail, and hide the presents, and decorate the tree, and bake the cookies, and go to the party, and...
[Turning to the audience]
Why are you looking at me? You'd better get busy! Are you any different than me? [She leaves the stage mumbling.]
Narrator: Let's sing God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, Hymn #8, stanza 1.
#8 - God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen (stanza 1-congregation; 2 & 3-soloist)
"I think we can still make it!"
The Story of Jason:
Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?
In the Land of Puzzling Tales, there lived an eight-year-old boy by the name of Jason. Now in this land and in the neighborhood where Jason lived, the unexpected always happened. Instead of football they played kneeball; instead of the children "going to school" the teachers were busy "going to homes." In the summer time, it was not uncommon to see water freeze and in the winter time to see leaves on trees. It was a funny, strange place.
One incident in the Land of Puzzling Tales stands out. When it was time for Jason's ninth birthday, as usual, the unusual happened.
Jason's grandparents came from their home across the country to help celebrate, but of course, when they got to Jason's neighborhood, they went immediately to the Browns down the street and visited and stayed there. When Jason's mother baked the birthday cake, she gave it to the letter carrier to eat.
And when all the neighborhood kids heard it was Jason's birthday, they exchanged gifts with one another and, of course, Jason got none.
There was a blizzard of birthday cards. The post office had to hire extra workers and work longer hours to handle the deluge of cards. Of course, in the Land of Puzzling Tales, the expected was the unexpected, and all the kids, the moms and dads, grandparents, and even a couple of dogs and a parakeet got cards, while poor Jason got none.
Finally, at about nine o:clock, in a fit of frustration and anger, Jason went out of his house, borrowed the school cheerleader's megaphone, rode up and down the street on his unicycle and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Whose birthday is it, anyway?"
And the night was so silent that all night long echoes bounced off the mountains. "Whose birthday is it, anyway? Whose birthday is it, anyway?"
The baby Jesus will be kidnapped again this year and held ransom for billions of dollars. This year North Americans will surrender billions of dollars to the stores to buy gifts to swap.
But it is Jesus' birthday! Jesus ought to receive the gifts. Jesus said, "Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done it to me." We give to Jesus when we give to the poor, the weak, the hungry, the homeless, the refugees, the prisoners.
It will be a great birthday celebration when God's people begin in earnest to give once again to Jesus. For after all, it is his birthday, isn't it?
Rev. Arley Fadness, Harrisburg, SD
*************
[Sample Program]
What Does Jesus Want for Christmas?
An Alternative Christmas Pageant/Service/Program/Event
Based on "Carols with Justice"
Greeting: The purpose of our pageant this year is to avoid much that passes as important at Christmas, and to give it a strong sense of social justice. It's based on a collection of traditional carols that have some new words. Please note the instructions for each hymn. Some stanzas are sung by all of us, some by soloists. Pay close attention to the words. Be sure to read the "Ten Tips" on the back of the program. [And use the family Advent resource "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" at home.]
Opening Advent Hymn: #14 - Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel
Stanza 1-congregation; 2-soloist
Scene - What Does Jesus Really Want for His Birthday?
Carol #4 - Go, Tell it on the Mountain
Scene - Thoughts While Not Listening to the Christmas Story
Carol # 5 - Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful
Scene - The Story of Jason, "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?"
Carol # 11 - Once in Royal David's City
Scene - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
Optional Carol Sing (secular)
# 16 - Deck the Halls
# 17 - We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Prayers
Closing Hymn: #12 - Silent Night, Holy Night!
Stanza 1-congregation; 2-soloist [additional traditional stanzas optional]
Benediction
Ten Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas
[Program back]Suitable for Posting on the Office Bulletin Board, on the Refrigerator, and for Sharing with Friends and Relatives
1. Plan ahead. Instead of going on auto-pilot the day after Thanksgiving, hold a family meeting to decide what the group really wants to do and who's going to do what.
2. If you need a symbol for giving (in addition to Jesus and the Three Wise Ones), learn about St. Nicholas. Santa Claus has been completely taken over by commerce.
3. Avoid debt. Refuse to be pressured by advertising to overspend.
4. Avoid stress. Give to yourself. Don't assume that things have to be the same way they've always been.
5. Draw names rather than everyone giving something to everyone else in your giving circle. Set a ceiling for each recipient. Give children ONE thing they really want, rather than so many gifts. If need be, pool funds.
6. Give appropriate gifts. Get to know the recipient. Give what they want to receive, not what you want to buy.
7. Give alternative gifts. Give 25% of what you spent last year to the needy -- individuals or groups locally, nationally or internationally.
Buy crafts and clothing from developing countries at alternative gift markets, not from commercial importers, so that the artisans receive a fair price for their work.
Give of yourself, not just "stuff" -- a coupon book for future services (such as baby-sitting or an "enchanted evening"); something baked, sewn, handmade, composed, etc.; or a family service project, such as working together at a soup kitchen.
8. Celebrate Advent for four weeks before Christmas. Use the booklet "Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?" or some other appropriate guide.
9. Put the gifts under the tree shortly before opening them. Then take turns opening them around the tree, not all at once, so that each gift can be admired and each giver thanked.
10. Make changes slowly but persistently. Don't try to change everything and everybody all at once. The resistance will make you feel defeated and lonely.
For more ideas, visit SimpleLivingWorks.org
Ten Tips on line at SimpleLivingWorks.org >> Archives
Copyright Creative Commons (originally 2002 Alternatives for Simple Living). Used by permission. Recycled paper
PDF booklet version of pageant (slightly dated)
END of pageant
Christmas Campaign Kit
What Is a Gift?
Bulletin Insert
How does a gift come to us?
In what might it be wrapped? In the blankets of a tiny baby... in the box carried on the long journey of a seeker... in the artwork of a child... in the creativity of a friend... in the corporate logos that go to all in the company... in the ancient message of the small picture... in the contemporary competition of foils, ribbons and papers?
Can we see gifts, can we receive gifts, in the unwrapped places of life -- in the barns, where the animals are... with today's travelers... with the clean and with the dirty?
Should we be looking for God's gifts to us in every place, in every experience of life? Should our eyes be open to what God is giving us in our relationships, in the messages shouted across all the media, in the emotions of guilt, celebration, longing and love? Should our eyes be open to the vision that is held out before us that keeps us in a slightly uneasy quest Christmas after Christmas?
A gift is more than an object. A gift is a carrier of meaning, values, esteem and is a symbol of our faith. So that any gifts we think of giving reflect God's giving and truly participate in the giving to which God calls us, ask:
* What meaning can this gift carry? What values can this convey?
* How can this gift reflect my feelings for the receiver? What can this gift symbolize about my faith?
For more ideas, contact SimpleLivingWorks.org
[ GRAPHIC 3-A521 ]
Prayerful Santa card
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