It’s a fine year to revisit what was special or comforting about the old normal. It’s a great time to try something new, especially since it’s been a couple of years since anything was “normal.” But remember that new ideas don’t have to become traditions. Don’t feel obligated to make this holiday season one or the other. Some memories are built over time when we repeat patterns, while others are cast from singular experiences and unique moments. Memories can be comforting and meaningful they can also create pressure, or even be counterproductive. Sentimental feelings and foods and decorations. The holidays show up bearing a plateful of hype about memories.
What does it mean to you to follow Jesus?.Advent, Christmas, and the new year offer new opportunities to ask questions like: In our book 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager, we define discipleship as “our everyday ‘Yes’ to Jesus.” That’s because in the Gospels, we see Jesus encounter all kinds of people and extend all kinds of invitations, but the most alarming moments are when he looks someone in the eye and offers, “Come, follow me.” The stakes are high.Īn everyday “Yes” to Jesus is a response to God’s invitation to enter a mystery. God’s vulnerability to us paved the way for our vulnerability before God as people who walk in faith, day by day. And we wait with believers across the centuries for his return.Īdvent offers a stark reminder that God not only walked on earth as a human, but started that journey as an embryo in an unwed teen mom. We wait for his birth like the prophets and like Mary. Advent is an incredible season to root young people’s faith in Jesus, because it prepares us to wait for Jesus. Root students’ faith identity in JesusĪ huge part of our identity-the answer to the question, “Who am I?”-is our faith identity. What are you feeling as we head into the holidays? What would be helpful?Ģ.What do you wish we would do or not do this year?.
Students need this season? The answers might vary based on your community and your particular kids. An opportunity to grieve the losses of 20.2021 was decidedly not the non-2020 we hoped it would be. They’re an anxious generation at the end of an anxiety-fueled year. Check in with parents to ensure any new or out-of-the ordinary plans don’t fill family schedules when they’re hoping for more time at home.īased on all our team at FYI is hearing-and what we know about teenagers today-many young people are grappling with anxiety and depression. So don’t over-program, but do ask what kinds of connections students are looking for. It may feel like we should make up for lost time, but young people don’t have to pack two Christmas seasons in one-and neither do we. Here are five ideas to make the season meaningful with your students. If you’re finding yourself heading into Advent with less energy and creativity than you’d hoped, you are not alone. Mopping up the sticky hot-chocolate-smeared floor after an earsplitting middle school Christmas party? No thanks.Īnd if we’re honest, this year’s holiday season isn’t quite looking the way we thought it might-which seems eerily familiar to how we felt a year ago, only more exhausting. Inviting students to marvel at the miracle of God-with-us? That’s what we signed up for. The holidays can be the best time of year in youth ministry.
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