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Use this game to get quick fire responses to issues that you can delve into later. Say a phrase and your mentee must give the first response that comes to mind. Start off easy and fun, and throw in tougher ones as you go, using these words or phrases:
Santa, winter, Christmas dinner, Christmas church service, Christmas morning, family at Christmas, money at Christmas, Christmas TV, Christmas number ones, the meaning of Christmas, biblical story of Christmas, your biggest hope for Christmas this year, opportunities for your faith at Christmas, will your faith grow or struggle this Christmas? When will you spend time with Jesus over the Christmas period? How much do you think about the poor or lonely at Christmas? Is Christmas more about you or about others? What was your worst Christmas ever? What do you want to get out of this Christmas? What would make this the best Christmas ever?
Ask them what reflections they have about the answers they gave. Show them the list of questions if this will help them remember them all, and discuss any issues this brings up. Do they consider Christmas a time for spiritual growth or have they never thought about it? Do they just try to get through Christmas unscathed? What kind of person do they need to be for those around them to have a great time? You could link back to the previous sessions on developing character if you have been following these resources.
What mistakes have they made in previous years? What regrets do they have? What do they want to get out of this Christmas? Allow them time to come up with the ideas for how to do this – even if it gets a bit awkward waiting for them to think of ideas! Get them to write themselves a to-do-list in the shape of a Christmas tree – of priorities and reminders to keep them focused through the craziness of the season.
