Description: This program gives young adults an opportunity to learn about Christmas traditions from around the world, shedding light on the mystery of God’s constant conversation with humanity. It concludes with delivering Christmas gifts to a family in need.
Get Ready
- Prep Time: You should begin planning two to three months in advance. The day of the event, you will need one to two hours for set up in advance of the event.
- Volunteers Needed: Assemble a team of three to five volunteers who will assist with the decorations, set-up and clean-up.
- Supplies: You will want a computer, projector, and screen for presentations. Depending on the size of the space, a microphone may be necessary. You may also wish to have a sound system if you intend to play music and dance. Additionally, you will want some decorations to set the festive tone. Finally, you will need napkins, cups, small plates, and flatware for the finger foods.
- Reserve the Space: A large gathering space. Have tables for each cultural group where they can display pieces of art, pictures, crafts, and food.
- Ideal Group Size: Any number!
- Who is this for? All young adults — married, single, with or without children. It can be opened up to the larger community, too.
- When is a good time for this? A Saturday evening after the Vigil Mass is ideal, but any evening during Advent will work.
- Publicize the Program:
- Add “teasers” to the parish bulletin, website, and other venues through which you communicate with young adults. For instance, add a “Did you know?” section to the bulletin (e.g., Did you know that turkey is the main Christmas dish in Peru? Did you know that the Christmas season in the Philippines lasts four months?).
- Ask the various ethnic groups to invite the young adults in their communities to attend and help with their presentations.
Prayer for Program Planner: Loving Father, just as your Son was born into a specific culture, you are born anew in each of our cultures. Reveal to us your work in these cultures as they come to share the beauty of your birth.
Community Building: This program will give participants an opportunity to learn about how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world. Better yet, it will give a glimpse as to how Christmas is celebrated by various ethnic groups in the United States. This is a great opportunity for inter-generational sharing. Participants will not only share their traditions, but will also transmit their values and what Christmas means to each group. Breaking bread together will further solidify the bonds between community members. The optional service project will allow participants to create a new Christmas tradition to be emulated each year.
