DR. SEUSS AND UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

(NOTE: Please review the Introduction before using this Session Plan. Thank you.)

SETTING THE STAGE
STORY SYNPOSIS: Grinch wanted to stop Christmas from coming. Did he succeed? (8 minutes)

NOTE: While this session focuses on a specific time of the year, it can be celebrated any time. In fact, 'Christmas in Summer' is often a fun thing to celebrate!

AFFIRMATIONS: Everyone is important.
We are fair and kind to each other.
We help make the world better for everyone. THEME: Meaning of Christmas
PREPARATION: Think of something special about the holiday season that symbolizes the meaning for you.

NEEDED: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Random House, 1958

SESSION PLAN
OPENING: Selected by the group. This can be used each session.

CHECK-IN: Welcome. Each person says his or her name. Allow time for each person to briefly tell something that went well since the group last met, or something that did not go well.

Leave an empty chair or space for someone who is missing from the group that day, or to recognize that others are welcome to be invited to join the group.

STORY
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Paper for cards
Carols

EXPLORING:
Reflecting
Why would someone not want Christmas to come? (noise, confusion, sad memories, have no one to share the holiday) Do you want Christmas to come? Why or why not?

What can you do to make Christmas special for someone?
What do you do at Christmas in your family? In your church?
What is one special thing about Christmas for you?

Activity options
If the congregation has a special social action project around Christmas, consider how the participants can be involved. This includes discussion of why there are special times that we collect gifts or money for other people. Does this mean that people will not need help at other times throughout the year? Maybe a pledge from the Christmas project would be to have additional projects several times a year. (In fact, if this session is held at a time other than Christmas, the need throughout the year would be emphasized!)

Singing: Organize caroling party. Visit people in the congregation who are not able to get to church very often, or local facilities. Take time to practice carols so that singing is familiar and fun.

Make Christmas cards for people in the congregation who are not able to get to church. This can be done with construction paper folded into half or fours. Use Christmas stickers or draw pictures. Add a brief message, like "Thinking of you" or "Merry Christmas" and that the card is from the group.

CLOSING Toys or no toys, Christmas will come.
Our giving, our singing, will be the fun.
So Merry Christmas to all, Santa would say,
And so would the Grinch, now on Christmas Day! GROUP REVIEW
What did they like about the session? (theme, activities, someone special being there, etc.)

Announce the story for the next session and who will be the adult facilitator, or if there are special events in the time before they meet again.

© Rev. Helen Zidowecki, May 2003