Paper Link Chain

Materials: 6 strips of paper per person, 2 different colors, red and green if you have them; pen or pencil; tape or stapler

1. On each of the red strips (or your first color), write one challenge you faced this year.

2. On each of the green strips (or your second color), write one blessing you experienced this year.

3. Using tape or a stapler, loop the strips of paper together to form a paper link chain.

4. Family members can take turns sharing what they wrote. After each person shares a challenge, offer a prayer asking for God’s grace to assist that person. After each person shares a blessing, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for what He provided.

5. The whole family can do this and combine your chains to make one big one to hang in your home. You can also continue adding to the chain throughout Advent and/or Christmas season.

Blessed Mother and Saint Joseph, the birth of Jesus was not what you expected. Jesus came in an unexpected way, you had a tough journey to Bethlehem, and you faced dangers from King Herod. The struggles we face are often also outside of our control or unexpected. The journeys to overcome our struggles are often long and difficult. Sometimes our paths are filled with many scary realities: sickness, death, or violence. Help us to remember the first Christmas and the truth of what we celebrate every Christmas — the birth of Jesus Christ. Help us to find the joy of Christmas even in the midst of the challenges due to the circumstances and events this past year. No matter how difficult it may be, help us find Christ’s light and goodness this Christmas season, and help us share that light and goodness with others. Amen.