For a memorable Christmas party for your Bible class or other church group, plan a Christmas Explosion! Singles, couples, youth or kids will enjoy fellowship as their Christmas celebration “explodes” to touch others.
Diana DavisDesignate “chauffeurs” to drive carloads of partiers. Each driver is pre-assigned three unique destinations (below) to take passengers. He calls ahead to schedule the front-door visits. For extra pizzazz, chauffeurs could wear caps, Christmas bowties or decorate cars with battery-powered Christmas lights.
Ask party guests to bring a gift-wrapped Christmas ornament. Be sure to invite newcomers and associate class members, and use nametags to enhance fellowship.
Smile. The party begins with fellowship and hors d’oeuvres. Then the group poses for a photo, holding big signs that read “Merry Christmas,” “Jesus is the reason for the season,” “Praying for you,” and “We love you.” Print copies of the group photo, and give three to each chauffeur.
Explosions begin. Partiers divide into carloads, and chauffeurs drive to their destinations to deliver a Christmas ornament, a group photo and a signed Christmas card.
Stop #1: Visit at a leader’s front door, such as your pastor, staff member or the town’s mayor.
Stop #2: Visit a church member or friend who is homebound, in the nursing home, or terminally ill.
Stop #3: Visit a residence near the church building. In addition to the ornament, photo and card, take a packet of church information and invite them to Sunday worship. You could even invite them to join you for the rest of your party.
Care packages.Teams return to the party site within an hour. They pack remaining ornaments and photos in pre-labeled packages for seminary students or missionaries your church supports.
Video greeting. A creative class member directs the group to record a brief, pre-scripted Christmas video, using fun props, carols and simple choreography. End the video with Christmas greetings and a prayer, and e-mail it to a member serving in the military overseas, or to a missionary.
Party time. Serve dinner and enjoy an evening of fellowship. As guests depart, they receive a framed group photo as a memento of the party that exploded Christmas joy around your town and the world.
Davis is an author, columnist and minister’s wife. Her newest book is “Deacon Wives” (B&H Publishing). For more ideas, see her blog at www.keeponshining.com.