A Christmas and Archaeology Evening
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There is a truly amazing video by Focus on the Family on Archaeology and Christmas. Historian Ray Vander Lann does an amazing job, on site in Israel, of providing the background of how it really would have been for Mary and Joseph surrounding the birth of Jesus. The entire video is 60 minutes and will be enjoyed by all:
“The True Christmas Story: Herod the Great, Jesus the King”
That the World May Know Series
Focus on the Family
Zondervan, 2002
Available from Focus on the Family www.focusonthefamily.com or Christian Book Distributors www.christianbook.com
Pre-dinner Conversation Starter:
Have a copy of “Christmas Trivia Game” at each place setting (see below pages 6-8).
Decorations:
Do a Christmas theme of greenery, candles, and Christmas ornaments (that can be taken home as gifts) that can serve as centerpieces. Or go with the archaeology theme using rocks and broken pieces of pottery for the center decorations. Put candles at various places around the centerpiece.
Quote for the Month/Event:
“Much of what we see depends on what we are looking for.” Phil Calloway
“To live at this time is an inestimable privilege and a sacred obligation devolves upon you to make a right use of your opportunities.” Grenville Kleiser
Joke/Story:
1. An elderly couple had been to the doctor. Because they were getting so forgetful the doctor told them to be sure and write everything down. One night the husband was going out to the kitchen. The wife said, “Honey, while you’re out there, would you get me a bowl of ice cream?” He said, “Why sure!” She said, “Now write it down.” He said, “Oh, I’ll remember.” She said, “And Honey, while you’re there, would you put some chocolate syrup and peanuts on it?” He said, “No problem!” She said, “Now write it down!” He said, “Oh, I’ll remember.” About 15 minutes later he brings her some bacon and eggs. She looks down and says, “Oh … You forgot the toast!”
2. (Right before dinner) You have heard “Inside me, there’s a thin person struggling to get out — well fortunately, he can usually be sedated with about four or five doughnuts.”
KIDS and Christmas:
3. A small boy is sent to bed by his father.
Five minutes later . . . “Da-ad. . .” “What?”
“I’m thirsty. Can you bring me a drink of water?”
“No. You had your chance. Lights out.”
Five minutes later. “Da-aaaad . . .” “WHAT?”
“I’m THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water??”
“I told you NO! If you ask again, I’ll have to spank you!!”
Five minutes later . . . “Daaaa-aaaad. . . “
“WHAT??!!” “When you come to spank me, can you bring me a drink of water?”
4. An exasperated mother whose son was always getting into mischief finally asked him, “How do you expect to get into Heaven?” The boy thought it over and said, “Well I’ll just run in and out and in and out and keep slamming the door until St. Peter says, “For Heaven’s sake, Jimmy, come in or stay out!”
5. A mother took her three-year-old daughter to a Christmas candlelight service for the first time. The church lights were lowered, and then the choir came down the aisle carrying lighted candles. All was quiet until the little one started to sing in a loud voice, “Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. . .”
6. One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small boy into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, “Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?” The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. “I can’t, dear,” she said. “I have to sleep in Daddy’s room.” A long silence was broken at last by his shaky little voice, “The Big Sissy!”
7. There are three phases in a man’s life: (1) When you believe there is a Santa Claus; (2) When you don’t believe there is a Santa Claus; and (3) When you ARE Santa Claus!!!!
Game/Activity:
1. Pass the Present Game: Have at least one pre-wrapped (four times) present per table. Give out one present per table and then start the music. While the music is playing the people pass the present around the table, and when it stops the one with the present unwraps a layer. Begin music and passing the present again; repeat until all layers are unwrapped and the last one gets to keep it! Lots of fun!
Gift suggestions: small boxes of candy, Christmas decorations, Christmas napkins, jams or jellies, special holiday coffee or tea
2. For the “Christmas Song Quiz” (see below pages 9-10).
Video/YouTube Clip:
There is a funny Mark Lowry and Bill Gaither Christmas Comedy clip (from a show in Birmingham, Alabama) that would be perfect to play for this evening.
Reading:
1. Signs Seen on Church Properties
Free Trip to Heaven. Details inside.
Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins.
Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!
An ad for a church had a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads, “For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets.
When the restaurant next to the church put out a big sign that said “Open Sundays” the church reciprocated with its own message: “We are open on Sundays too.”
Have trouble sleeping? We have sermons — come and hear one!
People are like tea bags — you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are.
Come in and pray today. Beat the Christmas rush!
How will you spend eternity, Smoking or Non-smoking?
Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world.
If you’re headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.
This is a ch__ch. What is missing? (UR)
2. Reindeer – Did You Know
1. Fast and Wandering: Reindeer can’t fly but they can run quickly over long distances. They can easily travel 24 to 31 miles a day.
2. Warm and Wooly: Reindeer are uniquely suited to survive the harsh winters. The hair of the reindeer is hollow, so there is air in the hair and between the hairs which makes for a very thick winter coat. The indigenous Sami people of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and northwest Russia make their winter clothes from reindeer hides!
3. Eyes That Change Color: Reindeer eyes actually change color with the seasons. In the summer their eyes are yellow green and in winter they are deep blue, to adapt to varying levels of light.
4. Tasty and Healthy: Reindeer meat is a popular staple with the Sami people. It is low fat and usually the grocery stores in Finland sell out and have to import more from Russia. A popular dish is sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.
3. The Story of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” Did you know?
One of America’s best-known poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882) composed the words to “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” on December 25, 1864 originally as a poem. The song as it is sung today was rearranged into the familiar melody by John Baptiste Calkin, omitting two of the original stanzas that concerned the Civil War. When Longfellow penned the words to the poem, the nation was still in the midst of the Civil War. The poem reflects the years of despair with the war but ends with the confident hope of triumphant peace. Longfellow’s heart can clearly be seen in the poem, which followed the death of his wife Fanny and the crippling injury of his son Charles from war wounds.
“I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet their songs repeat of peace on earth good will to men. And the bells are ringing like a choir they’re singing. In my heart I hear them, peace on earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head; there is no peace on earth I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song, of peace on earth, good will to men. But the bells are ringing, like a choir singing. Does anybody hear them? Peace on earth, good will to men. Then rang the bells more loud and deep. God is not dead, nor doth He sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men. Then ringing singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day. A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of peace on earth, good will to men. And the bells they’re ringing, like a choir they’re singing and with our hearts we’ll hear them. Peace on earth, good will to men. Do you hear the bells they’re ringing? The life the angels singing; open up your heart and hear them, peace on earth, good will to men. Peace on earth, peace on earth, peace on earth, good will to men.”
Scripture for the Month: (Can put in newsletter to encourage memorization)
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time” (1 Timothy 2:5–6a).
Christmas Trivia Game
If you think you’re an expert on Christmas, then this game’s for you!
You have 10 minutes to answer as many questions as you can.
1. What is the name of the Grinch’s dog? ______
2. In the first Home Alone movie, where was the family headed for Christmas?
______
3. What is the best-selling Christmas song of all time? ______
4. In the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” what gift is given on the seventh day?
______
5. Who said, “Bah humbug”? ______
6. From whom did the Grinch steal Christmas? ______
7. Name two gifts that the wise men brought to baby Jesus ______
8. Who wrote “The Nutcracker Suite”? ______
9. What are two others names of Santa Claus? ______
10. In the movie, Miracle on 34th Street, what does the little girl wish for?
______
11. In the poem, “The Night before Christmas,” what was dancing in the children’s heads?
______
12. Name the three Christmas ghosts in A Christmas Carol.
______
13. On St. Nicholas Day, what do children set out to be filled with candy and gifts?
______
14. In the movie, A Christmas Story, why is the boy’s mother afraid to let him have a BB gun?
______
15. Who played Ebenezer Scrooge in the 1992 movie, The Muppet Christmas Carol?
______
Christmas Trivia Game: Answers
1. Max
2. Paris
3. “White Christmas”
4. Swans
5. Scrooge
6. All the Whos in Whoville
7. Gold – myrrh – frankincense
8. Tchaikovsky
9. St. Nicholas …Kris Kingle
10. A Big House
11. Sugar plum fairies
12. Christmas Past, Christmas Present, Christmas Future
13. Stockings
14. He’ll shoot himself
15. Michael Caine
CHRISTMAS SONG QUIZ
Answer each question with the title of a Christmas Song.
1. Why are the kids excited? ______
2. Give the exact name of an animal with a W.C. Fields imitation. ______
3. Let’s hitch up the horses and go on one. ______
4. A decorator’s holiday order. ______
5. A wish for Christmas weather. ______
6. These are always an important part of song No. 3 ______
7. A country known only to children. ______
8. What are you dreaming of at his time of year? ______
9. Describe Switzerland at Christmas time. ______
10. What would you like to read in a telegram delivered on Dec. 24 from a loved
one far away? ______
Name Santa’s original eight reindeer.
1. ______2. ______
3. ______4. ______
5. ______6. ______
7. ______8. ______
Christmas Song Quiz: Answers
1. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
2. “Rudolph”
3. “Sleigh Ride”
4. “Deck the Halls”
5. “Let It Snow”
6. “Jingle Bells”
7. “Toy Land”
8. “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”
9. “Winter Wonderland”
10. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
SANTA’S REINDEER: Answers
1. Dasher
2. Dancer
3. Prancer
4. Vixon
5. Comet
6. Cupid
7. Donner
8. Blitzen
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