Five Ways for Youth to Serve This Christmas Season

By Michael C. Mack

Remind your youth that Jesus came into the world to serve (Mark 10:45). Here are five ideas you can use to serve others together:

1. Give the Gift of Cookies.

Youth expert Bill Nance (billnance.org) shares this idea: Set aside three hours one evening. Tell all your teens to bring in some homemade Christmas cookies. Sort them into plastic bags and label each one with something like, “Merry Christmas from the First Christian Church youth!” Divide up a nearby neighborhood (or apartment complex or nursing home, for instance) and have the students go two-by-two to the homes, ring the doorbell, say “Merry Christmas,” and present the cookies. Meet back at the church building for hot chocolate and stories.

2. Adopt a Family.

Find a family or two in your church (or a non-Christian friend or acquaintance) who can”t afford Christmas this year. Find out what gifts the parents would like to buy for their kids (or each other) and what food they would like for a Christmas dinner. Take up a collection from the students, and then go shopping for everything needed. Involve the students in everything””wrapping and delivering the gifts and perhaps even cooking the meal.

3. Provide Free Child Care.

Pick a day before Christmas to provide free child care so parents can go out shopping for gifts or just have some time for themselves.

4. Volunteer.

There are many ministries, such as homeless shelters or food pantries, where you can volunteer for a day.

5. Create and Give.

Bring the group together and make Christmas cards, ornaments, or something else they can give away to people at church or in the community. Find hundreds of ideas online.