xmasfestival

Christmas Carol Festival: A New Way to Reach Out

by John and Therese Boucher

According to Google and www.hitwise.com, "Christmas songs" and

"Christmas music" represent 71% of the most popular religious-

themed Internet searches during the last four weeks of 2006.

The website, www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com, that presents

the history, words and music of over 2,800 Christmas songs, is a

great success. In the first 15 months of this website’s existence,

over 7,000,000 visits were recorded.

Christmas Carols help us connect or re-connect with our Christian heritage, with the Church, and with God. Carols that describe the birth of Jesus and proclaim the Gospel message, help us relive the Scriptures and transport us back to Bethlehem. And Christmas carols draw us back to a community faith where we can sing together.

We propose a way to reach out to neighbors, friends, and family through Christmas music. We propose a project that help us reach out and include them in the celebration of Christ’s birth. At the heart of the Festival idea is Christmas carol singing, and it can happen in a variety of settings (neighborhood Christmas gatherings, birthday parties for Jesus; Christmas tree lightings, Christmas Caroling in local malls, and St. Nicholas breakfasts, the conclusion of Walk to Bethlehem, a display of Christmas creches.)

A parish “Christmas Carol Festival” event might look something like this: • The lighting of a Christmas tree and/or the blessing of the empty manger after Thanksgiving • Singing lots of Christ-centered Christmas carols (with words provided) • Brief sharings on the personal meaning of Christmas • More Christmas carols • Reading of the Christmas Scriptures • Gathering around the empty manger • Birthday gifts for Jesus • Refreshments•

Would you be interested in hearing more?

1. Contact Therese Boucher at tmfboucher@yahoo.com

Advent and Children's books

recommended resources

The Advent Calendar on DVD contains 25 mini-documentaries about Christmas symbols (each between 3 to 4 minutes). It is an entertaining yet informative journey through the Advent season suitable for families or for educators. Examples: advent, holly, Halleluia Chorus, St. Nicolas, candy canes, creche, angels, tree, Chi Ro, star

Stations of the Nativity -includes prayers and readings for important events surrounding the birth of Jesus, written by Lawrence Boadt.

Great board book for preschoolers-- The Nativity Story by The Book Studio --DK Publishing, 2008 or the Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats, or The True Story of Santa Claus by Paul Prokop

Bright Idea! During the Festival place an empty wrapped gift (with a slot in the top) near the manger so that people can put their birthday letters to Jesus inside. Keep it small enough that it doesn't upstage the baby. Larger gift wrapped boxes for larger crowds can be put on the floor instead.

Bright Idea! Use a (5 foot by 4 foot) "Yard card" as a backdrop for the empty manger. It can be modified for indoor use as a banner by sewing a runner at the top and bottom for a curtain rod. Then hang the yard card on a banner stand behind the manger. A series of foamcore panels can also be used, as well as "scene setters" from a company in Elmira, NY

Christmas Carol Festival Festival Vision

Join the angels in song

2. Buy the guidebook or the CD Read an article. or news report from the Diocese of Trenton

Bright Idea! Christmas Stroll. We understand that there are several places in the country that celebrate this way --Nantucket, MA; Yuba City; Weaverville, NC; Elburn, IL; Red Lodge, MT; Sheridan, WY; Tampa, FL to name a few.

This particular backdrop is no longer being sold although we can help you with specifications for a large dark blue cloth with a single star on it.

3. Watch a video about the Festival at St. David the King Parish in Princeton Junction.

4. Audio files from two other presenters at our diocesan training day will soon be available.

5. Watch a Video about advent fire and symbols.