Light two purple candles: the candle of Hope, and the candle of Preparation. Light the candle of Joy, the pink candle. Light the candle of Love, a purple candle.

 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”         Matthew 2:1-2

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.   I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”                                 2 Corinthians 8:7-9 (NIV)

Mood Rings  From a craft store purchase several packs of glow sticks, the size that can be made into bracelets or necklaces with the plastic connectors included. Activate the glow, then group them by color.  Under each group,place a tent placard  with “moods.” Possibilities: Burned out on Shopping/ Need a Hug/  Sing Me a Song/ Tell Me a Joke/ Let’s Dance, whatever ideas may suit your group of guests. Add a placard at the top that says “Choose Only One” if desired. Have this on a table near the door and have them choose a color to wear as guests arrive.

Post-It Fun Gather family together. Hand out a pack of Post-It notes to each person in the room. Place the markers in a small basket. Have everyone stand, grab a marker and go around the room writing something you like/love/appreciate about each person on a sticky note and then quickly stick it on the back of that person, without signing your name. Then quickly move on to the next person.  When everyone has “posted” each other, take off your own notes and read them. Have Christmas cards and envelopes on hand for players to put theirs in to take home. Save them in your Bible or Christmas scrap book.    (Shopping list: several multi-colored Post-It-Note packs, colored markers, pens or pencils, blank Christmas cards in envelopes, one for each player)

There is a crack in everything.  That’s how the light gets in.