It has been exciting to see the various things  people  have done at Christmas the past couple of years to keep the ‘Christ’ in ‘Christmas’.

It’s also been a privilege to discover what people  have been  doing the past decade for the same reason  – and to pass on their  story so others can copy  their ideas.

Here are some  adaptions of existing ideas that we (the Hope Project team) think could really work. This is about nothing more than getting a little bit creative at Christmas – and people will love it!

CREATING A PHOTO AND SOCIAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS – THAT PUTS ‘CHRIST’ IN ‘CHRISTMAS

What if two people dressed as Joseph and Mary, carrying a baby, were to walk around with a huge photo frame and a children’s publication / activity sheet on Christmas  in a shopping area. People could take a pic of themselves standing inside the frame with Joseph, Mary and the baby – and THEY would post it on social media to all their friends.

The ‘Christ’ is put in Christmas.

CREATING THE ‘ANIMAL CONTACT’ OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN – THAT PUTS ‘CHRIST’ IN ‘CHRISTMAS

What if two or more people dressed as Joseph and Mary with a baby etc… were to walk (with permission) through shopping areas with a pet sheep,  pet goat, and any other suitable animals? This would be a magnet for all children – to touch a sheep or goat. People  also get the photo op with the nativity crew – which will go to their social media. (You’d need  permission for a shopping mall – possibly a vet or trainee-vet with you if THEY say this is needed – and someone there with paper towels and disinfectant spray ready to clean up any mess the animals made.

This way the concerns of council / shopping malls for public places are properly considered). As in the prior idea, and suitable Christmas activity sheet or story booklet for children could be passed on to those interested in a copy – though finding quality materials is important.

Done annually – this could be a feature that many councils and shopping areas love. Most parents would LOVE for their children to have access to a goat, sheep or other animal! Note that a huge number of children and families have no other access or connection to farm animals. If you make going to shopping areas a more celebrative experience  for families – businesses will love you!

A great story with steps of how a church has done this can be found HERE

Get creative. Get dressed up and go for a walk – and have fun making it fun for others!

CREATING SPECTACULAR REUSABLE LIGHTING DISPLAY ON HOUSES – TO PUT THE ‘CHRIST’ IN ‘CHRISTMAS’

Many cities and towns have houses that create lighting displays – which families then take a drive to look at. This is true for us in Tauranga – as also across the road from my Mums house in Hawera. These pictures are a small street on which all the houses have worked together to create an amazing display. It is not unlikely that half the community walks this small street prior to Christmas annually.

What if people did this with nativity scenes included? It is a one-time cost to purchase the lights – plus the annual power bill. Many could afford this.

It’s creative, and it puts the ‘Christ’ back in ‘Christmas’.

RETURNING BRASS BANDS TO CHRISTMAS

Public brass bands might still play carols if they can use it as a fundraiser – or at a combined carol event. But what  about putting them on trucks again? What about getting the Salvation Army involved – on a truck – in the float parade??

In Wellington, a member  of the Vivian Street Salvation Army worked out arrangements with Council to enable this again – meeting safety requirements. It is possible. Children love brass band instruments.

Or what about quartet (four instruments) going out to play in shopping areas – combined with a ‘Joseph’ and ‘Mary’ with baby for photos – while making suitable children’s booklets or activity sheets about Christmas available??  It’s the attitude of ‘fun’ that will make this attractive to the public.

We communicate wisely – and everyone can win!

CREATING STATIC NATIVITY DISPLAYS ON LAWNS