Dec 2024 preschool article meeting during holidays
Missions Discipleship

Meeting with Mission Friends During the Holiday Season

November 26, 2024 /

Christmas is in the air! This is the wonderful time of year when we celebrate the birth of Christ. Christmas is soon followed by New Year’s Day, so this time of year can seem like one long holiday. It is an amazing, joyful time of year.

This time of year that can bring challenges to Mission Friends leaders. Church schedules might change during December through the beginning of January. Some Mission Friends groups only meet a couple times in December. Family schedules are busy and preschoolers may be in and out during the month.

Tips for Leading Mission Friends in December

Yes, there might be challenges during December. But we can meet these challenges! Follow these tips for leading Mission Friends this month.

    • Say extra prayers this month as you lead Mission Friends.
    • Make the most of the time you do have with your Mission Friends. Make the time count by talking about the missionaries featured in December and how they help people in Scandinavia know about Jesus and His birth.
    • Keep the schedule in your Mission Friends sessions simple. Continue your routines as much as possible.
    • Practice patience as preschoolers may be more tired than usual and this can cause changes in behavior.
    • Avoid giving sugary treats to preschoolers. Research healthier options for Christmas treats.
    • Focus on the Christian concept area of Jesus as the reason for Christmas celebrations.
    • Talk about Jesus’ birth.
    • Use a non-breakable nativity set for preschoolers to move the figures around as they re-tell the Christmas story.
    • Add preschool picture books about Jesus’ birth to the Books area.
    • Plan to do a Helping Others activity during the month to help preschoolers focus on the needs of another person. Use one of the Helping Others activities suggested in Mission Friends Leader for December.

Tip for Staying in Touch with Mission Friends in December

If your Mission Friends group does not meet for a few weeks in December, follow these ideas for keeping in touch with preschoolers’ families.

    • Send a text message or email to parents of your preschoolers to check in during the month.
    • Send each preschooler a copy of “Mission Friends at Home” or “For Babies, Ones, and Twos” from Mission Friends Leader.
    • Record a voice message telling the preschoolers Merry Christmas. Send the message to parents for them to play for their preschoolers to hear.
    • Point parents to the December Play and Learn page at wmu.com/preschool. 

Throughout this month, welcome each preschooler and make your sessions warm and inviting rather than rushed. Let this December be a joyous month for you and your preschoolers in Mission Friends.

Joye Smith is the WMU preschool ministry consultant.