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Christmas thoughts

Feelings and thoughts about Christmas
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Why Christmas is a special time.

Advent is always a unique time in the youth group as well. This may be because we all somehow look forward to Christmas. To the presents, to the time off from school to a few days of relaxation.

I don't want to go into how we personally compare Christmas to the event it was in the past. Perhaps these reflections are very subjective or simply have to do with the fact that as children, we still had a different view of Christmas than we do now as adults. Maybe children only see a facade; as an adult, you also see behind the front.

Also, I don't want to go into the insanity that today, even toddlers get presents out of the Advent calendar. In contrast, as teenagers, we still dreamed of it.

Why is it easier to get into a conversation with kids, especially at Christmas time?

I think it is because of the candles...

Candles remind of Christmas. Candles give light to the darkness. Candles provide a fixed point. Candles have always fascinated children. Candles soothe and wrap that what is not necessary in darkness. One is not so easily distracted by the things that don't really matter.

In such a candlelit atmosphere, it is easy to strike up a conversation with kids. Reading stories, talking about life, about God and the world.

Why do we feel joy about Christmas? What is it exactly? The gifts? What makes life unique? The family? The friends? Security? Peace?

Candles remind of Christmas. Candles give light to the darkness. Candles provide a fixed point.
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Feelings and thoughts about Christmas

Thoughts about thoughts, unsorted - and still we try to listen deeper into ourselves in the conversation. To get to the bottom of our feelings about Christmas.

Christmas has always been conveyed to everyone as a celebration of love, joy, and peace. But what does that really mean? Sure, gifts give pleasure, but is that true joy? And what do love and peace mean? The whole year we quarrel over irreconcilable stuff with each other, and suddenly at Christmas, we find peace and joy. Christmas can also become a disappointment filled with emptiness.

What also fits quite well is the annual motto for 2019, which speaks of "seeking peace." Have we found peace at Christmas? Are our actions and the way we handle things fit to serve peace? Or is it a facade, and if so, what is behind the facade?

What is the facade and what really makes Christmas?

And that makes me think of the Christmas story. The obvious were negative people. Security, though, was found in a humble stable.

What does Christmas mean to you? What does Christmas mean to the kids in the youth group? Why do we long for those Christmas feelings that certainly have nothing to do with super fancy gifts. Get to the bottom of it...

The Advent and Christmas season is a beautiful opportunity to reflect and engage in conversation with kids.