CREDO. Catholic Resources for the Year of Faith

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1 CREDO Catholic Resources for the Year of Faith The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen,as it had been told them Luke 2:20 AIM: To show that having faith brings great joy. Hint: This session is our Christmas special. OVERVIEW: Christmas is a time of great joy and this session is all about sharing fun and laughter together. It also helps young people to understand that Jesus came into the world to bring us joy, and true joy is found in our relationship with him. YOU WILL NEED: Paper and pens Film clips Candles and lighter Projector and screen Ipod and speakers Theme: Joyful Faith Characters: Shepherds

2 The Story LUKE 2: 8-20 Quick Quiz AIM: To recap the story 1 How did the shepherds feel when the angels appeared? (Terrified) 2 What was the sign the angels said they would find? (A baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger) 3 When the angels left what did the shepherds do? (Went straight to Bethlehem to see if it was true) 4 How did the shepherds feel after they saw Jesus? (Full of praise and glorifying God) In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours! When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us. So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Shepherds were poor, uneducated people not really the ones you would expect God to reveal this great news to first! When the angels appeared they were (understandably) terrified. When the angels left, the shepherds hurried to Bethlehem desperate to see this thing that has taken place. After finding the baby exactly as the angels had told them, they leave praising and glorifying God. Meeting Jesus filled them with great joy. So often we go to Mass looking like we are going to the dentist Thoughts and we leave looking like we have been to the dentist! But our faith is something that should bring us great joy, far deeper than being merely happy or content. This session is about joy so make sure you are smiling to greet them on arrival!

3 Game 1 JUST DON T LAUGH! Hint: When someone is out they can join the AIM: To introduce the theme of joy in a game leaders in trying to make the others laugh. This game is all about you trying to make the young people laugh and them trying to keep a straight face. Ask the young people to spread around the room and find a space away from other people. Now tell them whatever they do they cannot laugh. If they laugh they are out. They can take up any position they like but they should have their eyes open and others should be able to look in their eyes (so not with their faces covered). The leaders walk around looking at the young people, pulling faces, singing, dancing or whatever to make them laugh, but you are not allowed to move, tickle or touch them. As soon as they laugh or even smile they are out. Last one with a straight face is the winner. Art REVERENDFUN.COM Bible Gateway Show the image to the group and give them a few moments to look at it. You could play some joyful music such as Joy to the World by Issac Watts. Ask them the following questions to help them to reflect on the image and see how it links to the theme. 1 What does this cartoon say to you? 2 Christmas trees, candles and sheep are all images that help us to think about our faith. Which is the most helpful to you and why? 3 What do you think about using amusing images on Christmas cards? YouCat Draw your strength simply from Jesus, be happy and peaceful. Accept whatever he gives. And give whatever he takes, with a big smile. - Blessed Teresa of Calcutta ( ) p177

4 Response CHRISTMAS RAPPING AIM: To have fun together Ask the group to get into groups of 2, 3 or 4 people and ask each group to make a rap or a song about things that make them laugh. They may need a little time for this. When all are ready they or one of them - they can sing it to the group. You should laugh whatever you think of it! Now ask them to produce another song about Christmas. It doesn t matter whether it is religious or not so long as they enjoy writing it and singing it. Hint: To add more fun you could set up a stage or have props or costumes for the young people to wear when they are performing. YouCat God has placed in our hearts such an infinite desire for happiness that nothing can satisfy it but God himself. All earthly fulfilment gives us only a foretaste of eternal happiness. Above and beyond that, we should be drawn to God. # 281 p164 This week s challenge Be brave! Give your friends religious Christmas cards this Christmas.

5 Film FUNNY CLIPS It s Christmas and the theme is joy so we don t want the group to be sat quietly watching a film for a hour or two. How about a quick film clip to make them laugh? You can use the part of the Mary Poppins film where they sing I love to laugh as they have a tea party on the ceiling. Or maybe a cartoon or two? Or perhaps a couple of suitable clips from youtube or a few minutes of You ve been Framed or another TV show.... Suggested discussion on the film: 1 Which were the funniest clips ask them in turn as they are likely to choose different ones 2 Why did that particular clip made you laugh so much? Point out that people laugh at different things as everyone has a different sense of humour. Hint: Look on our website for some suggested film clips to use. Link to the Mass At the Christmas Mass, listen out for the end of the Preface, when the Priest prays and so with the Angels, we praise you, as in joyful celebration we acclaim.... Be ready to join in joyfully and enthusiastically as you sing Holy, Holy, Holy. Think about the angels bringing the news to the shepherds and take that message of joy for yourself this Christmastime. Game 2 MUMBLE MUMBLE AIM: To learn each other s names and to laugh together All stand in a circle. Tell everyone they can only speak by curling their lips into their mouth (like pretending you have no teeth). Now you start by saying your name and then to someone else s name eg Pam to Lizi. Then Lizi would have to say Lizi to another player. The game itself is simple, but seeing and hearing the way everyone is speaking is very funny. The game ends when all have had a turn or when you ache too much from laughing!

6 Prayer To explore a different form of prayer This is an old method used to remind people to pray for more than a what I want list. It is a basic acrostic. Give everyone a sheet of paper and ask them to write JOY on it in big block letters down the left hand side of the page. If there is time they can decorate or colour in these letters. Now ask them to complete the words Jesus, Others and Yourself. J - Ask the group to think of something they would like to thank or praise Jesus for today. Perhaps you could ask them to call out their thank you prayers. If not, they can write them down or pray them in silence. O - Think of others in need of prayer and again call out their names, write or pray silently. Y - Lastly, pray for yourselves at this time a moment of silence may be best. Remind the young people that if they want to experience joy in prayer then this is a good way to do it Jesus first, yourself last and others in between. Pray this or the Our Father to end: Lord Jesus We thank you for the fun and laughter we have shared today Thank you for the things and people who make us laugh Thank you for the times we have experienced the great joy that comes from knowing you Help us Lord to desire more and more of you in our lives Thank you for the joy we experience at Christmas when we spend time with you, our families and our friends. We pray for those whose who will not be experiencing joy and laughter over Christmas. Amen Hint: Some people may not want to share these things so you can ask who would like to share. They should not be pressured into sharing. We would love to hear from you! If you have any feedback or suggestions please info@nymo.org NYMO Ker Anna Centre Aylesbury Road Princes Risborough HP27 0JN