Christmas Outreach Idea for Kids: Welcome Home

In this Christmas outreach idea, kids will help make their town a welcoming home for new residents, just as Jesus made the earth his home.

Scripture: John 1:14

You’ll need:

• list of contact information for city buildings, post offices, libraries, and so on
• markers
• dry-erase board and markers
• mailing labels
• manila envelopes
• church brochures
• local business coupons (optional)

Prep

Prepare ahead by contacting a realtors association to get an idea of how many people move to the area from out of town each month or year. Print that many copies of phone numbers. Also print addresses of important places like city buildings, post offices, libraries, grocery stores, and utility companies. Leave room at the bottom of the page. Also print information about your Christmas services on mailing labels.

Reach Out

With kids, read John 1:14. Say: Jesus came to earth in a stable, with cloths for blankets and shepherds as the welcoming committee. Even though a barn isn’t the most cozy place to call home, he had people around to make his home on earth welcoming. Let’s do the same thing for new people in our town. To welcome them, we’ll make some welcome packets.

First, have kids vote on their favorite restaurants, parks, and other places to go. Write the winning two votes of each category on a dry-erase board. Distribute the copies of the phone number and address sheet and have kids write at the bottom, “We also recommend:” with the names of places that won the most votes.

Then have kids decorate manila envelopes with phrases such as “Welcome to our town!” or “Get to know your new home!” Kids can also decorate the envelopes with wreaths, Christmas trees, ornaments, stars, and other Christmas pictures. Fill manila envelopes with one address sheet and a church brochure per envelope.

Include information about your church services by printing the information on a mailing label and sticking it on your church brochure. Have kids hold the envelopes and pray for the people who’ll receive them.

You may also contact local businesses such as fast food restaurants, pizza parlors, salons, and grocery stores for coupons to put in the packets.

Ask real estate companies and schools to keep the packets to hand out to new residents, or post them on community bulletin boards.

Looking for more Christmas ideas? Check out these articles!