Christmas All Year

December 3, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Luke 1:67-79

“Praise be to our most precious Lord Jesus Christ, for he has come to redeem his people. ”

Christmas is supposed to be a time when families focus and reflect on the sacrifice made by our Lord Jesus Christ and the promise this holds for our lives. Yet, everyday, all we hear is how Christmas is a time of pressures… money for presents, family pressures, end of year deadlines and anxieties for the coming year. Some people seem to resent the Christmas season. “Why bother celebrating” they say, “… it’s just a day to show how much money you do or don’t have depending on the gifts you feel compelled to give.”

When young, you probably had a Christmas “wishlist” a mile long. But, it seems that as you get older, you wish for less and less. You have an inner peace from the Lord, knowing he meets your wants and needs on a daily basis. God promises that he’ll help you make the right choices in life or “carry” you whenever “you” select another pathway.

As a Christian the Lord takes care of all pressures. Sure, it’s still a lot of work to balance career, family and social obligations, but God promises “blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Christmas is a time to celebrate the warmth of love from family and loved ones; but, most of all, reflect and know that the everlasting Lord Jesus Christ died that we would know Christmas All Year.

“The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:13 and 14.

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.

Get more than 200 creative ideas for planning a Youth Christmas celebration or Christmas Party party. You can immediately download my best Christmas Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Christmas activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!

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Humor

CEO Of Santa, Inc. Resigns

December 3, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

The rumor is confirmed. The big guy, CEO of Santa, Inc., has resigned. He will Ho Ho Ho no more, at least, not in any official capacity. SheepTrax Undercover investigators have obtained a journalistic exclusive, a copy of Santa’s shocking resignation letter. Fans of the big elf, read it and weep. – Editor.

Dear Jesus, Effectively immediately, I have disbanded the Board of Directors and hereby resign as CEO of Santa, Inc. We are hereby dissolved.

Bluntly, I’ve been a fraud. While we both know December 25th isn’t really your birthday, it was still kind of cool that people took one special day a year to honor you with gifts like those Magi did so long ago. When we started, I simply wanted to honor you, too.

Sure, I started well enough. I just wanted in on the action, blessing kids and all. But you always got the attention. It was all about you! I froze my jolly tail off year after year being your glorified delivery boy and for what? A plate of stale cookies and fighting with cats for an occasional glass of sour milk? My unheated sled wasn’t even equipped with a golden parachute! You try bolting around this miserable little planet dodging jets, terrorist missiles, and slack-jawed hunters drooling the word, “venison!”

The Santa gig got old. Over time, I simply soured inside, and began devising a hostile takeover coup of Christmas. I can admit now. I wanted to be you. I don’t know where I ever picked up a copy of Judas’ bestseller, How To Write Your Own Ticket With God but he was my inspiration, my guide for the journey to the dark side of Christmas.

Being CEO of Santa, Inc. was a dream job, at first anyway. I worked a whopping one day a year, did oodles of PR work schmoozing with celebrities, and headed my own private army of displaced mindless munchkins who did my bidding with no union interference. Bill Gates should do as well.

Somehow, I got jealous of all the attention you received. Manny Mammon stepped in and helped engineer our break with you, supplanting you with me as CEO. Funny thing, but for a while our holiday hijacking worked. My name was in lights. Kids read about me, idolized me, and wanted to be me. I was the star of my own Christmas Pageant! But conscience came calling.

One recent Christmas Eve, during the final moments of the pre-launch countdown, I was double-checking my Naughty and Nice lists. Hackers had tried to infiltrate our mainframe and play havoc with the gift list. Our new Anti-CyberTerrorism division intercepted their little ploy and responded with our new “Lump of Coal” hard drive-melting virus. Hey, an elf’s gotta do what an elf’s gotta do.

Anyway, I suddenly remembered that you have the original Master Naught and Nice lists. You really do know who is sleeping and who is awake. While it’s part of my corporate vision statement, without your guidance, the truth is I was only guessing. In a moment of blinding clarity, I realized that I screwed the whole Christmas gig up for everyone. It’s not about you anymore. It’s not even about me. It’s about Mammon and Greed and promoting everything I once stood against. I have become what I hated.

I realized which of your lists I was on and began to weep.

I went incognito to the Mall of America and listened to my theme songs droning on and on over the intercom system. I was hoping to hear even one hymn, one song of worship; Silent Night even. Alas, nothing but jungles and reindeer drinking songs. I’m the guy who killed Christmas.

Jesus, I stabbed you in the back and have finally come to see I am not at all a jolly good fellow, but more of a Goodfellow. I’m just a red-suited, black-booted thug. I sinned. Please forgive me.

The reindeer were released back into the wild, which should make those tree-hugging buffoons at PETA rejoice. I’ve subcontracted the elves out to a multi-national conglomerate in Japan. They rock at making PlayStations. Perhaps I’ll open an Elves Big & Tall Shoppe, or shave and do Sumo wrestling. I don’t know. Somehow, I have to stop the insanity of X-Mas. Any ideas? Is there any way to put Christ back in Christmas?

I royally screwed up. Sorry.

Your broken-hearted pal,

Kriss Kringle, a.k.a. Santa Claus

Christmas Collection
Games and Activities helping youth discover the Reason for the Season.Get more than 200 creative ideas for planning a Youth Christmas celebration or Christmas Party party. You can immediately download my best Christmas Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Christmas activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!
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Devotional

Christmas: Mary’s Song

December 2, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Read: Luke 1:46-55

Mary certainly knew the scriptures. By any count, in this short hymn of praise to her Lord, Mary quotes from at least eight Old Testament passages, and alludes to about a half-dozen others.

In addition, Mary’s heartfelt expression reflects the attitude of several other scriptures. You might say Mary’s song is virtually saturated in scripture. Yes, Mary certainly knew the scriptures.

But who was she saying these scriptures to? Who were you speaking to as you read these verses?
It is important to reflect not only on Mary’s knowledge of scripture, but on her knowledge of the Lord. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”

You can’t help but be struck by the impression as you read these verses that Mary was speaking directly to and personally with “the Mighty One” who had done great things for her.

A. W. Tozer warned, “Scientists have lost God amid the wonders of his world; Christians are in
danger of losing God amid the wonders of His Word.”

Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my soul rejoices in God my Savior.”

May all our spirits soar so freely this Christmas! Praise God, the Mighty One of Israel!

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Devotional

Christmas: God’s Larger Vision

December 1, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Luke 1:41-45

What a glorious and impossible moment! Two cousins, Mary and Elizabeth, are visiting. Elizabeth, barren, too old to have a child, is pregnant! Mary, a virgin, is also pregnant! This could only be possible through the majesty and glory of Almighty God.

Elizabeth’s son will be called John, and will proclaim the way for the son of Mary, Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Because of their faithful devotion to God, two improbable babies will be born and will change the course of history.

God’s vision extended beyond the happy meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. He was thinking of you and me even in that day a long time ago. For it is through Jesus that we can come to have a personal relationship with God, the Father of us all.

God’s plans are larger than the events of “today”. Mary and Elizabeth were simply parts of a bigger picture that only God knows.

This Christmas, we must recognize that God may use us to affect something or someone years from now. Are you preparing yourself today so that God can use you tomorrow, next week, or a year from now? Pray today that God will help to give you a larger vision of His plan for you.

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Devotional

Christmas: God Speaking through us

November 30, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Luke 1:13-15

Zacharias, a man in his old age and Elizabeth his wife, a woman well along in years, had never been able to bear children. Now here is an angel, none other than Gabriel (who in his own words stood in the presence of God) telling Zacharias that his wife would bear a son.

But this would be no ordinary son. This was to be John of prophesy who would go ahead of the Messiah, preparing the way for the Lord.

What future parents would not be thrilled to hear that their child was to be a joy and delight and, above all would be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth!

But wait a minute, doesn’t the Holy Spirit come into our lives at our acceptance of Christ as our Savior? We did say that this was to be no ordinary son. John was to be the fulfillment of a miracle; a man prepared by God for a wonderful mission hereon Earth, to proclaim the coming of the Son of God. He was filled with the Holy Spirit so the Holy Spirit could speak through him!

Let our prayer this Christmas season be that the Holy Spirit will be able to speak and work through us to proclaim Christ to the World.

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Devotional

Christmas: A Question Answered

November 29, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Questions, questions, questions.

Luke 1:34-38

Our lives are filled with questions we ask of God. How will I find the right husband or wife? Where should I go to college or university? Why am I not enjoying life more? How should I serve God? How can I live for God in my job? How long will I be in this job? What will happen tomorrow? Am I living within the will of God?

The questions go on…

Mary questioned the angel Gabriel concerning the birth of the Son of God. She could not understand his message to her. So she asked: “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” In other words, God’s plan didn’t fit her understanding as to the birth of a child. Mary’s preconceived ideas didn’t allow her to accept God’s plan. She didn’t reject it, but she did ask for an explanation.

The Angel described the future miracle in these words: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God… For nothing is impossible with God.”

There are powerful lessons for us to learn from this encounter between Gabriel and Mary.

Keep on asking questions of God but don’t forget to listen to God’s words directed toward you.
We can say and believe that nothing is impossible with God because the Holy Spirit is present in our lives through our faith in Jesus Christ. This affirmation will bring God’s miracles into our lives.

Are you willing and ready like Mary to say: “May it be to me as you have said.” In this way God’s answers will be worked out in your life. May this happen to all of us as we begin to celebrate Advent.

Christmas Collection
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Game Ideas

Christmas Movies: Who am I?

November 28, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Materials
A list of Christmas movies printed on name-tags or address labels. (One title per name-tag)

Icebreaker Description
In this icebreaker / crowdbreaker game, youth will have the name of a Christmas Movie pasted to their back and will wonder the room asking yes or no questions to other youth in an attempt to discover the title of the Christmas movie they have on their back.

Preparation
Create a list of Christmas Movies/ TV Shows: Here are some of the more common ones: A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, All I Want for Christmas, An American Christmas Carol, Babes in Toyland, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Christmas Vacation, Elf, Frosty the Snowman, Heidi, Home Alone, Home for Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Joyeux Noel, Miracle on 34th Street, Nutcracker, Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, Santa Clause: The Movie, Scrooged, The Little Drummer Boy, The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey Nestor, The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Night Before Christmas, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Polar Express, The Santa Clause, The Year Without a Santa Claus, We’re No Angels, White Christmas

Icebreaker Activity

Place one of the nametags containing a movie title on the back of every youth as they enter the room.
Each youth must now try to guess what is on their back by going around the room asking other youth “yes” or “no” questions about the nametage on their back.
These questions must be yes-no questions (ex. Q. “Am I a recent movie?” A. “Yes”)
Depending on the size of the youth group, only one question can be asked to each youth in the room (to get everyone talking to everyone else). For small groups you may allow 2 questions per youth.
The first youth to guess the name of the movie on their back is the winner.

Variation
Instead of “yes” or “no” questions, as the youth move around moving from person to person they must name one fact about the movie or one character / person that starred in the movie. As soon as a youth is successful in guessing the title of the movie, he goes and sits down. The youth who is giving information to the person with the nametag tries to keep it somewhat vague so that other youth will not be able to sit down before he does. All information must be factual and honest.

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Music

With Heart and Hand and Voices

November 21, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Martin Rinkert was a minister in the little town of Eilenburg in Germany some 350 years ago. He was the son of a poor coppersmith, but somehow, he managed to work his way through an education.

Finally, in the year 1617, he was offered the post of Archdeacon in his hometown parish. A year later, what has come to be known as the Thirty-Years-War broke out. His town was caught right in the middle. In 1637, the massive plague that swept across the continent hit Eilenburg… people died at the rate of fifty a day and the man called upon to bury most of them was Martin Rinkert. In all, over 8,000 people died, including Martin’s own wife.

His labors finally came to an end about 11 years later, just one year after the conclusion of the war. His ministry spanned 32 years, all but the first and the last overwhelmed by the great conflict that engulfed his town. Tough circumstances in which to be thankful. But he managed. And he wrote these words:

Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices;
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom his world rejoices.

It takes a magnificent spirit to come through such hardship and express gratitude. Here is a great lesson. Surrounded by tremendous adversity, thanksgiving will deliver you…with heart and hand and voices.

Source: Brett Blair, www.eSermons.com, Nov. 2002.

Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next Thanksgiving event, as well as a variety of other common holidays. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for all the common holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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Humor

Not a Turkey

November 20, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Asked to write a composition entitled, “What I’m thankful for on Thanksgiving,”
little Johnny wrote, “I’m thankful that I’m not a turkey.”

Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next Thanksgiving event, as well as other familiar holidays. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for all the various common holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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Humor

Turkey Riddles for Thanksgiving

November 16, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

What did the mother turkey say to her disobedient children?
If your father could see you now, he’d turn over in his gravy!

Why do Pilgrims have trouble keeping their pants up?
‘Cause they wear their belts on their hats!

What is the difference between a chicken and a turkey?
Chickens celebrate Thanksgiving!!

What is the Turkey’s favorite black tie celebration?
The Butter Ball

What do you get when you cross a turkey, the beach, and Broomhilda?
A turkey sand-witch

What kind of music did Pilgrims listen to?
Plymouth Rock

Which side of the turkey has the most feathers?
The outside

Why do turkeys eat so little?
Because they are always stuffed

Why did the turkey cross the road?
It was the chicken’s day off.

What key has legs and can’t open doors?
Tur-key.

What sound does a space turkey make?
Hubble, hubble, hubble.

How do you keep a turkey in suspense?
I’ll tell you at Christmas.

Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration of common Holidays.

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next Thanksgiving event, as well as a lot of other familiar holidays. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for all the common holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

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