Socially distanced Christmas

In October we ran a workshop spotlighting different ideas that we had heard across the diocese to help inspire and encourage other churches.

Each of the ideas had children and families in mind, but none were restricted to families and children and can be created and run for all to celebrate at Christmas together.

All the ideas can be adapted to different spaces, needs and communities. This year we are particularly aware of potential rule changes. All the ideas have considered distancing etc but can be amended to different settings, so if the rules change you do not lose all your planning.

The spotlight ideas were:

• Stations of the nativity - Different tables/spaces that might include a Bible passage, reflection question, image or decoration on that part of the story and potentially an activity. Groups come a few at a time for the experience.
• Christingle - A tradition for many families, churches and schools. This year there are excellent resources for doing it in a whole variety of ways.
• Angel bombing - Sharing the joy of Christmas across a neighbourhood.
• Café church - household tables with interactive activities and treats to do as a family, with elements such as prayers or a short talk being lead from the front. (it doesn't have to be on tables and can be adapted to online)
• Christmas trail - Outside with different stops and pauses for people to engage with the Christmas story. This can be done in a church garden or around a local farm (with their agreement). You could have a different part of the story each week as people walk past or all of them for people to see at any time or set times.
• Posada - The tradition of Posada is a group dressed as the nativity family going around the community to be welcomed each night by different houses. Today, it often includes passing a knitted or physical nativity family between houses. A 2020 version of this to do in homes and schools as a daily welcome for each part of the story in on this website. Click 'Christmas Posada' at the top.
• Advent window - Invite your local community to decorate a window. Each has a number and lights it every night from their number. Have a route that you share with numbers so people know roughly where to explore to see them. 
• Wild nativity - Get people to dress up and film a part of the Christmas story. It can be as simple as children running around dressed as sheep, kings etc and shown in order with the story told over the top or with older children, adults telling the narrative with acting and spoken parts.

For the full resource that includes videos, variations and ideas for running each of these (and additional ideas that were shared during the workshop), use the contact form to email for a copy.