Thank You for Breakfast with Santa

We will be forever grateful for the youth program in our church. Growing up in UMYF meant a lot to us and helped us stay grounded and "on the right track" during our junior high and high school years. One fond Christmas memory with the youth group is Breakfast with Santa. For this annual event, our church's youth hosted underprivileged elementary school-aged kids in the Fellowship Hall (way before it was Hesson Hall) on a Saturday morning in December. Linda Halbert, with the help of others, had the vision for us to host a breakfast with Santa Claus. The purpose was to celebrate Christmas and have a good time together while making the children of Upton Heights feel special.

The morning of the breakfast, Mary Chaffin, the pastor of Upton Heights Church, rounded up children in her community and prepared them for pickup. Then, Hamlet Halbert drove the youth in the church bus over to transport the kids back to our church. About 15 or 20 excited, but shy, children would be greeted by teenagers they didn't know. It was somewhat intimidating so, as a comfort, everyone would sing Christmas songs on the way to FUMC.

While the youth were gone, several adults prepared pancakes, sausage, milk, and orange juice to have ready for everyone when the bus arrived. The youth were responsible for serving breakfast, visiting with and entertaining the children, and helping distribute gifts.

After breakfast, sleigh bells could suddenly be heard down the church hall. Everyone stopped to listen. With a big "Ho, Ho, Ho," Santa would come through the doors with his white beard, bright red suit, and shiny black boots. Such a sight to see! Across the years, Bill Ricketts, Ken Clinard, Alex Jackson, and Jim Romano made certain that Santa was there in time to visit the kids. The children always loved to see Santa. They sat on his lap, chatted with him, and told him what they hoped to get for Christmas.

The entire celebration lasted a little over an hour and gave everyone the opportunity to spread the Christmas spirit. Before they boarded the bus along with the youth to go back to their church, each child was given a candy cane, a bag of treats, a nice gift, and a hearty wish for a "Merry Christmas." This is a special Christmas memory from our time in the UMYF at Lebanon FUMC.

Dear Lord, Thank you for your many blessings and for giving us opportunities to serve. Make us a light to the world at Christmas and all year long. Amen.

Reflect & Respond

• What is/was your experience of Youth Group or other clubs as a teenager?
• What kinds of small groups do you praticipate in now? How are they similar to youth groups? How are they different?
• What is your favorite way to serve or take care of other people?