party on, good catholics, party on!!
Ever feel like the world looks at us as Catholics and sees nothing but a list of rules and restrictions? Yeah, it’s true. They do. But it’s almost one of the times of year when we as Catholics are actually called to be the biggest partiers of all—CHRISTMAS! This holiday season, we’d love to encourage you to invite your teens and their families to enter into Advent and Christmas with a celebration attitude that lingers as long as possible, just like every guest at a really good party. When so many in the world find themselves already starting to feel blue at 11:59 pm on December 25th because the magic of the season has come and gone, we can be assured the fun continues. After all, Christmas isn’t just a day, but TWELVE days (more if you celebrate all the way to the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd). And if we’re being honest, celebrating to the fullest for that long is actually quite a challenge—one that requires planning ahead.
So how does one plan for a great party? First, there are guests. And decorations. And music. And food, and games, and presents, and, and, and…. the possibilities are endless. As any professional party planner would tell you, these things don’t just figure themselves out. It takes intentional time and effort. Insert the wisdom of the Church here: not only are we offered 12 days to celebrate, but we’re also offered an entire preparatory season to intentionally and continually get ready. So here’s the theory: this Advent and Christmas, encourage your parishioners to join us in using this party-planning checklist for a celebration they won’t forget!
(Notice that for each numbered Advent to-do there's a matching Christmas celebration)
So how does one plan for a great party? First, there are guests. And decorations. And music. And food, and games, and presents, and, and, and…. the possibilities are endless. As any professional party planner would tell you, these things don’t just figure themselves out. It takes intentional time and effort. Insert the wisdom of the Church here: not only are we offered 12 days to celebrate, but we’re also offered an entire preparatory season to intentionally and continually get ready. So here’s the theory: this Advent and Christmas, encourage your parishioners to join us in using this party-planning checklist for a celebration they won’t forget!
(Notice that for each numbered Advent to-do there's a matching Christmas celebration)
ADVENT (a.k.a. pre-party) CHECKLIST:
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CHRISTMAS (a.k.a. PARTY!) CHECKLIST:
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