ROH44

NOV-DEC 2017

Give Love on
Christmas Day
HOUSEHOLD
CAROLING
CHALLENGE

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE OF THE MONTH:

JOHN 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in
Him might not perish but might have eternal life

HOUSEHOLD TEACHINGS OF THE MONTH:

TEACH THE CHILDREN A Christmas Story, Author Unknown

CFC USA CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH

Take the Give Love on Christmas Day HH Caroling Challenge

SONG OF THE MONTH:

Give Love on Christmas Day

SAINT OF THE MONTH:

St. Nicholas

PRAYER OF THE MONTH:

A Christmas Prayer

VIDEO OF THE MONTH:

Give Love on Christmas Day HH Caroling

JOKE OF THE MONTH:

Skip the shopping, Take the Give Love on Christmas Day HH Caroling Challenge instead.

FAITH WITHOUT ACTION IS DEAD APPLICATION OF THE MONTH:

In lieu of giving Christmas gifts to your household members, have your household give the
gift of LOVE this Christmas by sponsoring an ANCOP child.
 DECEMBER 2017

2017 CFCUSA PASTORAL FORMATION MATERIALS
Give Love on Christmas Day
Household Caroling Challenge
Dear CFC USA Family:
For the months of November and December 2017, we continue to focus on the last and
greatest virtue embedded in our CFC 2017 theme LOVE!
That is to GIVE LOVE this Christmas dayand beyond!

On the first day of November, we were reminded what we ought to be SAINTS!

I pray that with Gods grace, we have that strong desire to be one.

On the fourth Thursday of November, we will be reminded to have a grateful heart at all
timesgrateful to our Heavenly Father for all the blessings, guidance protection, graces
and gifts He continues to abundantly pour upon us.

In the first four weeks of December, we will celebrate the Advent season or the fast
before the feast when we prepare in anticipation of the birth as well as the second
coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Finally, comes the much-awaited Birthday of the Divine made man, the Word made
flesh..Christmas Day!

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son Yes, LOVE that came down from
Heaven. LOVE that took human form. LOVE that was born in a humble manger with barn
animals and shepherds as its first visitors. Through the years, it became clearer that the
reason for the season is LOVE spelled J-E-S-U-S. True God and True Man.

In these last two months of the year, the main challenges and opportunities lie before us:
How do we grow in holiness and desire to be a Saint?
How do we show our thanks to our loving, merciful and generous God?
How do we make this Advent season more meaningful and fruitful?
How do we put MAS (more) of CHRIST this CHRISTMAS?
 NOV-DEC 2017 3

The answer: L-O-V-E.

Give LOVEon Christmas day, during Advent, during Thanksgiving daywhat about
TODAY/ (TONIGHT) in your Christmas household meeting or party?

As you celebrate Christmas as a household, read and discuss our Teaching of the
Month: TEACH THE CHILDREN A Christmas Story. After which, gather together in
front of your hosts big screen TV or computer monitor and be serenaded with joyful
Christmas carols by the ANCOP kids and scholars. Click on either link below to access
the following:

ANCOP Caroling Video (English subtitles) https://youtu.be/MNnkWcucCf4

ANCOP Caroling Video (Spanish subtitles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak3imMopf8Y

Then access our Christmas message by clicking on: https://youtu.be/Hjst1A-sAVo

Then comes the L-O-V-E partin lieu of giving Christmas gifts to your household
members, give the TRUE Christmas gift of LOVE by having your household sponsor an
ANCOP scholar, or at the very least giving a monetary Christmas gift to ANCOP. Click
on either link below to access the following:

ANCOP Sponsor a Child Link - https://ancopusa.org/online-child-sponsorship/

ANCOP USA Donation Web site - www.ancopusa.org

This year, experience the true joy and meaning of Christmas.

No greater gift is there than LOVE.

Merry Christmas,
From the JETS Toffee, Malou, Michelle and Isabella
 NOV-DEC 2017 4

SCRIPTURE PASSAGE OF THE MONTH

JOHN 3:16
For God so loved the world that
He gaveHis only Son,
so that everyone who believes
in Him might not perish but
might have eternal life.

TEACHING OF THE MONTH:

Teach The Children A Christmas Story
Author Unknown

Late one Christmas Eve, I sank back, tired, but content, into my easy chair. The kids
were in bed, the gifts were wrapped, the milk and cookies waited by the fireplace for
Santa. As I sat back admiring the tree with its decorations, I couldnt help feeling that
something important was missing. It wasnt long before the tiny twinkling tree lights
lulled me to sleep. I dont know how long I slept, but all of a sudden I knew that I wasnt
alone. I opened my eyes, and you can imagine my surprise when I saw Santa Claus,
himself, standing next to my Christmas tree.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot just as the poem described him,
but he was not the jolly old elf of Christmas legend. The man who stood before
me looked sad and disappointed. And there were tears in his eyes. Santa, whats
wrong? I asked, Why are you crying? Its the children, Santa replied sadly. But
Santa, the children love you, I said. Oh, I know they love me, and they love the gifts
 NOV-DEC 2017 5

I bring them, Santa said, but the children of today seem to have somehow missed out
on the true spirit of Christmas. Its not their fault. Its just that the adults, many of them
not having been taught themselves, have forgotten to teach the children. Teach them
what? I asked. Santas kind old face became soft, more gentle. His eyes began to shine
with something more than tears. He spoke softly. Teach the children the true meaning
of Christmas. Teach them that the part of Christmas we can see, hear, and touch is much
more than meets the eye. Teach them the symbolism behind the customs and traditions
of Christmas which we now observe. Teach them what it is they truly represent.

Santa reached into his bag and pulled out a tiny Christmas tree and set it on my mantle.
Teach them about the Christmas tree. Green is the second color of Christmas. The
stately evergreen, with its unchanging color, represents the hope of eternal life in
Jesus. Its needles point heavenward as a reminder that mankinds thoughts should
turn heavenward as well. Santa reached into his bag again and pulled out a shiny star
and placed it at the top of the small tree. The star was the heavenly sign of promise.
God promised a Savior for the world and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of that
promise on the night that Jesus Christ was born. Teach the children that God always
fulfills His promises, and that wise men still seek Him. Red, said Santa, is the first color
of Christmas. He pulled forth a red ornament for the tiny tree. Red is deep, intense,
vivid. It is the color of the life-giving blood that flows through our veins. It is the symbol
of Gods greatest gift. Teach the children that Christ gave his life and shed his blood for
them that they might have eternal life. When they see the color red, it should remind
them of that most wonderful gift.

Santa found a silver bell in his pack and placed it on the tree. Just as lost sheep are
guided to safety by the sound of the bell, it continues to ring today for all to be guided to
the fold. Teach the children to follow the true Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep.
Santa placed a candle on the mantle and lit it. The soft glow from its one tiny flame
brightened the room. The glow of the candle represents how people can show their
thanks for the gift of Gods son that Christmas Eve long ago. Teach the children to follow
in Christs footstepsto go about doing good. Teach them to let their light shine before
people that all may see it and glorify God. This is whats symbolized when the twinkle
 NOV-DEC 2017 6

lights shine on the tree like hundreds of bright shining lights, each of them representing
one of Gods precious childrens light shining for all to see.

Again Santa reached into his bag and this time he brought forth a tiny red and white
striped cane. As he hung it on the tree he spoke softly. The candy cane is a stick of
hard white candy. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus, and
hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the church, and the firmness of
Gods promises. The candy cane forms a J to represent the precious name of Jesus,
who came to earth. It also represents the Good Shepherds crook, which He uses to
reach down into all ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep,
have gone astray. The original candy cane had three small red stripes, which are the
stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed, and a large red stripe
that represents the shed blood of Jesus, so that we can have the promise of eternal life.

Teach these things to the children. Santa brought out a beautiful wreath made of
fresh, fragrant greenery tied with a bright red bow. The bow reminds us of the bond of
perfection, which is love. The wreath embodies all the good things about Christmas for
those with eyes to see and hearts to understand. It contains the colors of red and green
and the heaven-turned needles of the evergreen. The bow tells the story of good will
towards all and its color reminds us of Christs sacrifice. Even its very shape is symbolic,
representing eternity and the eternal nature of Christs love. It is a circle, without
beginning and without end. These are the things you must teach the children.

I asked, But where does that leave you Santa? The tears gone now from his eyes, a
smile broke over Santas face. Why bless you, my dear, he laughed, Im only a symbol
myself. I represent the spirit of family fun and the joy of giving and receiving. If the
children are taught these other things, there is no danger that Ill ever be forgotten. I
think Im beginning to understand. Thats why I came, said Santa. Youre an adult. If
you dont teach the children these things, then who will? AUTHOR UNKNOWN
 NOV-DEC 2017 7

CFC USA CHALLENGE OF THE MONTH:

Give LOVE on Christmas Day
Household Caroling Challenge!
During your Household Christmas
meeting/party, welcome the ANCOP
children carolers into your home as
they serenade you with traditional
Christmas carols to liven up your
celebration and bring the true spirit
of Christmas into your hearts.

Click on the links below to access the following:

ANCOP Caroling Video (English subtitles) https://youtu.be/MNnkWcucCf4

ANCOP Caroling Video (Spanish subtitles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak3imMopf8Y

Then access our Christmas message by clicking on: https://youtu.be/Hjst1A-sAVo

ANCOP USA Donation Web site - www.ancopusa.org

ANCOP Sponsor a Child Link - https://ancopusa.org/online-child-sponsorship/
 NOV-DEC 2017 8

SONG OF THE MONTH:

Give Love on Christmas Day
People making lists, buying special gifts
Taking time to be kind to one and all
Its that time of year when good friends are dear
And you wish you could give more
than just presents from a store

Why dont you give love on Christmas day (On Christmas day)
Oh, even the man who has everything
Would be so happy if you would bring
Him love on Christmas day (On Christmas day)
No greater gift is there than love

People you dont know smiling out hello

Everywhere theres an air of Christmas joy
Its that once a year when the worlds sincere
And youd like to find a way
To show the things that words cant say

Why dont you give love on Christmas day (On Christmas day)
Oh the man on the street and the couple upstairs
All need to know theres someone who cares

Give love on Christmas day (Christmas day)

No greater gift is there than love
What the world needs is love
Yes, the world needs your love

Why dont you give love on Christmas day (On Christmas Day)
Oh, every little child on Santas knee
Has room for your love underneath his tree
Give love on Christmas day (Christmas day)
No greater gift is there than love
 NOV-DEC 2017 9

SAINT OF THE MONTH:

St Nicholas
Dec. 6 is the feast day of St. Nicholas
(c. 280 345 A.D.), one of the most popular
saints for Advent and Christmas. St.
Nicholas, or St. Nick as he is often called, is
the inspiration behind Santa Claus and a big
reason we exchange gifts at Christmastime.

St. Nicholas was born in Patara on the

southern Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor
in the modern-day country of Turkey. His
parents were strongly Christian and led
their boy to a deep faith in Jesus. He had
an uncle, also named Nicholas, who was the
bishop in the nearby city of Myra.

Nicholas parents died when he was a young man and they left him a good-size
inheritance. Not tempted by the money, Nicholas accepted the vocation to be a priest,
was ordained by his uncle and, upon ordination, shocked everyone when he gave all his
inheritance to the poor. Hence, St. Nick established a beautiful tradition of giving gifts.

Later, his uncle, Bishop Nicholas, died. The local bishops had endless meetings to fill
the vacancy but could reach no agreement. One of their group had a dream that he
should go to the church early the next morning and select the first person to arrive.
Father Nicholas habitually arose long before sunrise to begin his day in prayer. When he
arrived at church, everyone else in the village was sound asleep so he was chosen as the
next bishop of Myra.

As bishop, St. Nicholas continued his tradition of giving. A famine broke out and his
people were starving. Ships were anchored in the nearby harbor with cargos of grain,
 NOV-DEC 2017 10

and he was able to convince

the sailors to share some of the
grain to feed the hungry. In 305
a persecution broke out against
the Christians, and Nicholas as
well as many church members
were tossed into prison. During
their confinement Nicholas
brought them faith, hope,
encouragement and good
cheer.

The most famous legend

involved an evil father and his three daughters. Their family was destitute. It was
customary for the father of the bride to give a dowry, but he had no money, so the
wretched man forced his daughters into prostitution to support him. St. Nicholas
learned of their predicament, got a bag of gold and anonymously tossed it through
their window late one night. The eldest daughter was freed and allowed to marry. Later
he gave a second bag, again through the window, and finally to escape detection
he climbed onto the roof and dropped the third bag down the chimney.

St. Nicholas died in 345 and his popularity spread far and wide, particularly to Germany.
In German, Nicholas is Nicklaus, or Klaus for short, and Klaus evolved into Claus.
Santa is Italian for holy or saint. Thus, the true meaning of Santa Claus is St. Nicholas,
and St. Nick is the patron of Christmas giving because he was so generous throughout
his life.

Many families observe St. Nicholas Day with special traditions. One involves children
putting their shoes outside their bedroom doors on the night of Dec. 5 before they
go to sleep. St. Nicholas comes during the night; in the morning the children find their
shoes filled with small gifts and treats.
 NOV-DEC 2017 11

PRAYER OF THE MONTH:

A Christmas Prayer
Jesus, the Light of the World, as I celebrate your birth may I begin to see the world in
the light of the understanding you give me. As you chose the lowly, the outcast, and the
poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may I worship you in
meekness of heart. May I always remember my brothers and sisters less fortunate than
myself in this season of giving.
AMEN.

MEDIA (VIDEO) OF THE MONTH:

Give Love on Christmas Day
Household Caroling
Click on the links below to access the following:
ANCOP Caroling Video (English subtitles) https://youtu.be/MNnkWcucCf4
ANCOP Caroling Video (Spanish subtitles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak3imMopf8Y

Then access our Christmas message by clicking on: https://youtu.be/Hjst1A-sAVo

ANCOP USA Donation,

www.ancopusa.org
 NOV-DEC 2017 12

JOKE OF THE MONTH:

Skip the shopping, Take the Give Love on Christmas
Day Household Caroling Challenge instead.
It was Christmas and the judge was in a merry mood as he asked the prisoner, What
are you charged with?

Doing my Christmas shopping early, replied the defendant.

Thats no offense, said the judge.

How early were you doing this shopping? Before the store opened.

FAITH WITHOUT ACTION IS DEAD APPLICATION OF THE MONTH:

Christmas gifts
In lieu of giving Christmas gifts to your household members, have your household give
the gift of LOVE this Christmas by sponsoring an ANCOP child.

Click on the links below to access the following:

ANCOP Caroling Video (English subtitles) https://youtu.be/MNnkWcucCf4
ANCOP Caroling Video (Spanish subtitles)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak3imMopf8Y

Then access our Christmas message by clicking on: https://youtu.be/Hjst1A-sAVo