I BEFORE THE DAY BEGINS:  

1. Invite dinner guests with musical ability to bring their musical instruments
2. Have family members set DVR to pre-record Football Games; pre-record or purchase/rent CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, or other cartoons, or CHRISTMAS MOVIES.  These will be handy for intervals such as between main meal and desert or as alternate After Meal Activities.
3. Community Games to Have on Hand:  Charades, Pictionary, Balderdash
4. Music via CD, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube (See item VIII below)
5. POST-ITS with #s on them, coordinated to # of guests.  Separate #s for Adults and # for Children.  Have each guest take a #. (Children’s # on one color post-it; adults, another)
6. Display and have available a Bible & Children’s Bible opened to Luke, Chapter 2.
7. A Book(s) or Copy of Clement C. Moore’s THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, the poem/song THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, and a BIBLE or a copy of THE GOSPEL OF LUKE, Chapter 2, verses 1 to 20. he Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2 verse 1 to 20. Have these available for After Dinner Activity.
8. https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/visit-st-nicholas
9. http://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Twelve_Days_of_Christmas_(song)
10. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2&version=NABRE
11. Christmas Carol Music Books or Song Sheet or PowerPoint copies displayable on TV (If your TV & computer are integrated, have the “tech” in the family work on this in the weeks prior to Christmas.  Otherwise, make copies of Song Sheets or just the lyrics.)
12. A book OR website reference with stories about Saint Nichola (Recommendations appear at the end of this page.)
13. OPTIONAL PLEASE AND THANK YOU GAME with Charitable Component: INVITE GUESTS TO BRING A SINGLE $ 1. BILL for each member of his or her family or party to participated in a PLEASE & THANK YOU GAME. Designate a charity and let them know what the dollars are for in advance OR have everyone vote on one of two or three choices before Grace (E.G, Catholic Charities for Puerto Rico Relief or Catholic Relief Services or Unicef.). Have some extra $1 bills around for those who forget. tab The FIRST TIME anyone forgets to say Please” or “Thank You,” from the beginning of the Meal (after Grace) to end of dinner (i.e. “please pass the potatoes; thank you), he or she gets a WARNING.  The SECOND TIME he or she must surrender their dollar into a basket. Proceeds go to the previously announced charity. At the end of the day, people may contribute the Remaining Dollars or additional $ if they wish to the cause.

I   CHRISTMAS EVE (After Mass) Or CHRISTMAS MORNING MORNIN: Replace the colored Advent Candles from your Advent Wreathe with White Candles, and add a fifth White Or Gold Candle at the center of the Wreathe.  

Prayers for the Occasion available in Catholic Book of Blessings and online at http://www.ewtn.com/library/LITURGY/adbless.htm

II CHRISTMAS MORNING: A Short Prayer before Opening Gifts: “Thank you God for the Gift of Christ in our lives. May the beauty of his birth bring new life to our faith and help us to appreciate all life, all children throughout the world. Thank you for the gifts before us.  Fill us with Gratitude for you and for one another. Keep us young at heart.  Amen.” 

1. If young children are patient, read Luke 2: 1- 21 and Matthew 2: 1-13, Sing “Silent Night” or “We, Three Kings,” otherwise read and sing AFTER Presents are opened.
2. Sing “God Bless Ye, Merry Gentleman” if all are receptive for another carol.

III  CHRISTMAS DINNER PRAYER: “Dear God, Here We Are–Our family and friends–and these are the feelings we bring to this Christmas Day.  Helps us understand the beautiful way You accept each us as we are. Make us confident in your love so that we may be at peace and feel your presence among us.  Help us to make the most of this meal, this day, and our time together.”  Then invite everyone to join in the Traditional Grace before Meals, OR if your company is of mixed religions, substitute the Christian Grace with this:

Multi-Faith Sensitive Prayer: “Blessed are YOU, Source of Life, God known by so many names, help us to experience Joy this Christmas Day and lead all peoples on to the pathway of peace.   Bless all our family and guests.  Bless our Meal and our Conversation. Amen.” 

IV    FIRST COURSE ACTIVITY (soup/salad), and /or Hors D’oeuvres:

1. Ask: What do you remember about the First Christmas Story?  Include both the Biblical, Legend and Folk tales if you wish.   Begin with the children by number, then adults by number. Everyone gets “help” sharing the Christmas Story as needed.
2. Conclude First Course by having someone Read Luke 2: 1- 21 and Matthew 2: 1-13

V MAIN COURSE:

Announce the OPTIONAL PLEASE AND THANK YOU GAME with Charitable Component (Details described above), and, if decided before hand, remind guests that at the end of the meal, people may contribute any remaining dollars or additional $s to the decided upon charity, if they wish. Reassure children they do not have to contribute. They may keep their dollar as a reward for good manners!

• ASK: What event or circumstance are most significant for me about Jesus’ story today?
• Invite each Guest to share his or her memories of the best Christmas that they have ever experienced and why it is an important memory for him or her. TRY TO KEEP THE MEAL AS LEASURELY AND UN-RUSHED AS POSSILBE.
• Any Similarities between Jesus’ story and the Christmas memories shared?

VI   AFTER MEAL BREAK ACTIVITY:  Share Birth Stories during walks & pre-dessert clean ups:

1. During the break, have all guests recall the story of the day each of them was born.  Allow time for the elders to inform youngsters if they haven’t already. Everyone will be invited to share his or her birth story during desert.

 VII DURING AND AFTER DESERT: Share Birth Stories

• After each person shares his or her birth story, invite everyone to say “As the Angels Sang for Jesus, the Angels Sang for you, too!  Everyone’s part of the story!  Everyone’s part of God’s plan!”
• Invite Spontaneous Prayer: “For Whom and for What Shall We Pray for this Christmas Day?”
• Sing “Angels We Have Heard on High –Gloria in Excelsis Deo!”

VIII AFTER DINNER ACTIVITY: Have everyone participate in Clean-Up:

• Please and Thank You Option: As dinner concludes, invite guests to contribute any remaining dollars or Make an Additional contribution to the chosen Charity. Once Again reassure children they do not have to contribute. They may keep their dollar as a reward for good manners!
• Divide Your Guests into Two or Three Teams: 
• The Kitchen Clean-up Team:
• The Go-for-a-Walk Team
• Living Room Team
• Invite each team to CHOOSE and then collectively memorize THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS OR THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS OR LUKE’S GOSPEL CHAPTER 2 verses 1 to 20. All three teams may choose the same text, or each take a different text — whatever they like.

IX AFTER DINNER & CLEAN-UP:

• Each team recites collectively or designates a NARRATOR to recite their texts. Anyone and everyone can help should anyone stumble! Designate “An ANGEL” to review the texts as each are recited. The Angel Can Help, too! Which Team Wins?
• Read one of the many stories and legends about Saint Nicholas or the Story of THE CHERRY TREE CAROL (See Below)

X MORE AFTER DINNER ACTIVITIES

• Gather ‘round a piano and Sing Carols Together
  • Guess each person’s favorite Christmas Album / Cd and Favorite version and vocalist of any Christmas song
  • Have Christmas CDs (Vocalists/ Choirs) and have people sing-a-long.
  • Conclude with Christmas Caroling in the Neighborhood

XI CHRISTMAS FAREWELL BLESSINGS

Before individual farewells, or as each person or family prepare to leave: BLESS EACH GUEST individually or collectively: “May the Spirit of Christmas remain in your heart—the joy of life, the gift of family, and angels singing your song as you continue to compose it all the days of your life. May your song(s) give God glory!”

INVITE ALL TO SING “WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS”

BOOKS

Catholic Book of Household Blessings

To Dance with God by Gertrude Mueller Nelson features Great Ideas for Family Rituals & Prayers for Feast Days and Holidays throughout the Year

THE BAKER’S DOZEN story of Saint Nicholas by Aaron Shepherd — Appropriate for children and children of all ages!

Other Resources:

THE SAINT NICHOLAS CENTER: This Home Page story is good to share with children https://www.stnicholascenter.org/how-to-celebrate/resources/teachers/stories-classroom/legend-of-saint-nicholas

For more adult sensibilities: https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/post-biblical-period/who-was-st-nicholas/. AND https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/who-is-st-nicholas.html NOTE: Should you choose to share from these websites, the histories note that St. Nicholas Day, December 6, celebrates Nicholas’ death — i.e. entry into heaven as it is with all Saints. Be sure to omit this with young children present OR offer this: “Of course, Saint Nicholas, Santa, is in heaven! How else would he have the power to bring gifts and inspire gift-giving and love everywhere! The North Pole is a magical place with spiritual travel from heaven to earth!” ENTER INTO THIS CONVERSATION WITH GREAT CARE!

Blessing of Advent Wreathe and Christmas Manger : http://www.ewtn.com/library/LITURGY/adbless.htm

Advent Prayers and Rituals: http://www.celebratingholidays.com/?page_id=1423

Here’s a fascinating article on THE CHERRY TREE CAROL:

The Origins of “The Cherry Tree Carol”

Suggestions prepared by Fr. James DiLuzio CSP     Updated                     December  2023

James DiLuzio, CSP

By James DiLuzio, CSP, Director of the Paulist Associates

How can we make THANKSGIVING a truly prayerful AND joyful day for everyone!  Here are a number of suggestions — you cannot possibly observe them all! — but use it as a springboard for your prayer group to gather and share your experiences. Ask: : 

1. What is your best and worst Thanksgiving memory? How might you turn both experiences into a prayer for this year? 

2. Taking the “Best” Stories –FOR CHRISTIANS: How were these “Best of Meals” like or unlike a Eucharist or Lord’s Supper? FOR JEWS: How were these “Best of Meals” like or unlike Passover or Sukkot meals? FOR MUSLIMS: How were these “Best of Meals” like or unlike Ramadan meal celebrations? FOR SIKHS: How were these “Best of Meals” like or unlike Langar? FOR HINDUS: How were these “Best of Meals” for Thanksgiving like or unlike ONAM? FOR BUDDHISTS: How were these like or unlike your New Year celebrations? Discuss your answers with all who are sharing in your Thanksgiving meal. Close with Spontaneous Prayer or a favorite Thanksgiving Prayer in your tradition.

3. Read TRUMAN CAPOTE’S short story THE THANKSGIVING VISITOR prior to your next meeting and share your thoughts and feelings about this very poignant and humorous story. Remember: Paulist Spirituality keeps us engaged in dialogue with our culture. The story takes place in the past but the relationship dynamics are perennial.

Truman Capote reads “The Thanksgiving Visitor” on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=CbbJ4iClrWI

Listen to Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Full Soundtrack on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsZBEng7aJM

1. BEFORE THE DAY BEGINS:  

• Set DVR to pre-record Thanksgiving Day parade(s) and Football Games; pre-record or purchase/rent CHARLIE BROWN THANKSGIVING or other cartoons

• Book or Paper Copy of OVER THE RIVER & THROUGH THE WOODS by Lydia Maria Child * and other Autumn / Thanksgiving Poems such as The MIST & ALL (Keep aside until DESERT COURSE)

• Community Games to Have on Hand: Charades, Pictionary, Balderdash

• A Card Table with Index Cards & pens/pencils, a Small Basket or Shoebox and One Sheet of Paper with these 2 “Treasured Gifts” Questions printed:

— “What experience this year do I treasure most?”
— “What gift have I received from last Birthday or Christmas to date that I still enjoy?”

• Music via CD, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube (See item IX below) 

2. DURING ARRIVALS and /or Hors D’oeuvres: Invite everyone to print on an index card or post-it their response to this question: 

“What experience have I treasured most this year?” and /or
“What gift have I received from last Thanksgiving or Christmas to date that I still enjoy?”

Place these “Treasured Gifts” papers in a small basket and place the basket on or near the dining table. During the first course, guests will try to guess who wrote what. 

3.  TRADITIONAL GRACE “PLUS”Each guest identifies how they feel today using one “Feeling Word.” (“Happy,” “Sad,” “Thankful,” “Frustrated,” etc.) No judgments allowed! Then, pray: “Dear God, Here We Are — Our family and friends — and these are the feelings we bring to this Thanksgiving Day. Helps us understand the beautiful way You accept each us as we are. Make us confident in your love so that we may be at peace and feel your presence among us. Help us to make the most of this meal, this day, and our time together.” Then invite everyone to join in the Traditional Grace before Meals, OR if your company is of mixed religions, substitute the Christian Grace with this: “Blessed are YOU, Source of Life, God known by so many names, help us to experience GRATITUDE, for gratefulness is the pathway to mutual affection and the road to peace. Bless our Meal and our Conversation. Amen.” 

4. FIRST COURSE ACTIVITY (Soup/Salad/Antipasto): Treasured Gifts: Each person takes a paper and reads it aloud. Guests try to guess who wrote it—i.e. match the statement with its author. Once guessed, invite the person to share why he or she is thankful for this gift. 

5. DURING THE MAIN MEAL:Invite each Guest to share his or her memories of the best Thanksgiving OR ANY SPECIAL MEAL that they have ever experienced and why it is an important memory for him or her. 

6.  AFTER THE MAIN MEAL PRAYER: Thanksgiving is a Day of Gratitude which is a Day of Prayer. Before we take a break, I invite us to share our prayers for one another and others. For whom and what should we pray?” Close with Psalm 121.

7.  AFTER MEAL WALKS & PRE-DESSERT CLEAN UPS:Postpone desert and encourage Physical Activity: walks outdoors or help in the kitchen if weather does not permit, Football fans can catch up on the game; Others PLAY COMMUNITY GAMES and/or access your DVR for the recorded PARADE(s) or Cartoons. 

8. DURING DESERT:  

1. Together recall the Thanksgiving Poem: Over the River and Through the Woods —
After everyone has had a try reciting or singing a verse, pass around the copy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Over_the_River_and_Through_the_Wood

2. Invite guests to share any favorite poems, rhymes, riddles or Autumn memories. 

9. EVERYONE JOINS IN FOR FINAL CLEAN UP

(OR, if space limitations in the kitchen, create Two Teams: Those who go for walks and/or into the living room; and those who help in the Kitchen. Try to have each team mixed with all ages, both men/woman/boys/girls if possible. Each team memorizes OVER THE RIVER—as many verses as possible. Afterwards, gather together and see which Team remembers the most. 

10. SOCIAL TIME:

— Community Games to Have on Hand: Charades, Pictionary, Balderdash

— Dancing: Access Music via CD, Spotify, Pandora, YouTube

— Old Fashioned WALTZ; I recommend “O Mio Babbino Caro” sung by Kiri Tekanawa (CD: Kiri Te Kanawa Sings Verdi & Puccini Arias; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRuYQ9KRJms

— Celebrate Married Couples with “I Dreamed of You” by Barbra Streisand: (CD Barbra Streisand: A Love Like Ours; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpp0qjpUyIg

11. FAREWELLSAs each person prepares to leave, ask if they would like a final Thanksgiving Blessing. If yes, the Hosts may place their hands on each guest’s head or shoulders and pray the PRIESTLY BLESSING from the Book of Numbers, Chapter 6: 24-26: The Lord bless you and keep you! The Lord let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!  The Lord look upon you kindly and give you peace! “Conclude with “Safe home! Godspeed! God bless!” 

12. OPTIONAL CHARITABLE COMPONENT TO THANKSGIVING DAY:
INVTIE GUESTS TO BRING A SINGLE $ 1. BILL for each member of his or her family or party to participated in a PLEASE & THANK YOU GAME. Designate a charity and let them know what the dollars are for in advance OR have everyone vote on one of two or three choices before Grace (E.G, Catholic Charities for Puerto Rico Relief or Catholic Relief Services or Unicef.) Have some extra $1. bills around for those who forget.). The FIRST TIME anyone forgets to say Please” or “Thank You,” from the beginning of the Meal (after Grace) to end of dinner (i.e. “please pass the potatoes; thank you), he or she gets a WARNING. The SECOND TIME he or she must surrender their dollar into a basket. Proceeds go to the previously announced charity. At the end of the day, people may contribute the Remaining Dollars or additional $ if they wish to the cause.  

More Details at https://frjamesdiluzio.com/2017/11/18/keeping-thanksgiving-spirit-filled/ 

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video THANKSGIVING VISITOR TRUMAN CAPOTE READS RECORD LP

THANKSGIVING VISITOR TRUMAN CAPOTE READS RECORD LPPreview YouTube video Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Full SoundtrackCharlie Brown Thanksgiving Full SoundtrackPreview YouTube video Kiri te Kanawa – O mio babbino caro – PucciniKiri te Kanawa – O mio babbino caro – PucciniPreview YouTube video I’ve Dreamed of YouI’ve Dreamed of You