GroshLink

Last week, to bring closure to Practicing a Christ-Centered Christmas (Note: Click here for classroom materials), I asked

1. What particpants found most helpful
2. What participants would suggest for improvement
3. What resolutions/next steps participants were making as a result of the class

What do I have to report? With regard to most helpful aspects:
Most participants referred to Hearing other people's responses to how they celebrate Christmas and the emphasis on practical ways to experience/show Christmas to those we work with, worship with, and live with.

Note: the handouts were helpful in prompting additional thought through the week, one person commented I should collate them into a book so they wouldn't be laying all over the place in my house ;-) Love the comment and now that the experient's over, maybe creating a booklet would be helpful for a workshop/seminar next fall or if the class were to run again to fill in the blanks for those which miss sessions due to other responsibilities/concerns. If anybody would be interested in having me visit their local congregation to try a workshop, let me know

Other responses
1. Two participants found the videos helpful and thought-provoking, making them think about the clip in a different way other than entertainment. Note: videos not discussed until the following week generally loose their effectiveness.
2. Learned/reminded that others have dysfunctional families too and can find ways to overcome them.
3. The fellowship of knowing others also struggle with balancing what we want Christmas to be and what it really ends up being. Related comment focused on finding it helpful to hear how younger families are addressing rampant comsumerism at this time of year.

What participants would suggest for improvement, in addition to some of the notes given above I've merged some comments below which point out an area which demands more thought before version 2.0
Even with the material presented on the history of Christmas, various traditions, societal culture, etc, it is still difficult to sort out tradition, family expectations, personal desires/convictions/etc). I would have liked more classes sharing information about how we can combat the current ideas of celebrating Christmas and change some traditions to be more Christ-focused. How to tell this to your family (extended), friends, and loved ones, etc. How to create new traditions, introduce them and in a practical way, share what we have learned about the history of Christ, the Fall, and why we hold be looking at Christmas differently than we may have in the past.

Reading What resolutions/next steps participants were making as a result of the class brought a deep sense of affirmation of my call to share Christ with others. I have been continually surprised by the responsibility in teaching an adult elective which addresses such concerns among participants which range from those with young families to those with kids who have young families. I am way over my head and lean upon His grace for direction, sometimes only really coming to full understanding of how to present the morning of the adult elective. As my wife points out, I can be difficult to follow with so much churning in my head at one time, so any clarity and subsequent transformation which occurs in the lives of others, let alone in families, can only be attributed to the work of the Spirit.  And the Christ of Christmas did shine brightly, dispersing darkness in the lives of participants in such a manner which will bear fruit in families, neighborhoods, and the worksplace!

1.  The class helped me to focus and prepare for Christmas this year. I often feel like time just flies by me and before I know it is Christmas again. My hurried life often causes me to take things for granted. Hopefully I can slow down a little bit this year and focus on God's gift of Christmas and also share this with others.
2. This class has been a good reminder of what Christmas is about, of focus on the Christ of Christmas. I'm glad it started in September to help me mentally and spiritually to get ready for the coming holiday season. I hope to keep my Christmas this year low key -- in decorating, menu planning and projects, and spend more time in prayer, reflection, and meditation.
3. Commitment to seek/pursue Joy during the busy-ness of the season. Although I don't have a definite plan in place yet, I'm open to whatever/however it presents itself -- music, meditation, interacting with other, etc.
4. This isn't because of the class, but my desire for the new year is to be a better witness.
5.  One particpants shared how they had a fun time preparing for a family Christmas gathering.  And they're already ready to go! 
6. Planning to making some changes related to the topics we have discussed and continue some Christ-centered traditions we already enjoy.
7. Contribute to a charitable organization instead of giving presents but what to do with regard to small children hasn't been decided.
8. And I have to mention that Ellen and Hayley spent part of their day off from school cutting out Jesse Tree ornaments with Theresa and I'll be leading an adult elective on Drawing Close to Our First Love.  More on that tomorrow.