Overview
The Knights of Columbus offers multiple activities that promote Christmas and the season of Advent in their proper context: Journey to the Inn, Light Up for Christ, Crèche or Advent Wreath Blessing, and the Christmas Poster Contest. These activities are centered on the example of the Holy Family and the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The Keep Christ in Christmas (KCIC) Program brings all KCIC activities together under one umbrella. It encourages councils to prompt their neighbors to shift from a preoccupation with materialism to the light of Christ and the spirit of giving. KCIC activities include whatever efforts best suit the parish and community of a particular council and do not need to originate from the Supreme Council. For Keep Christ in Christmas resources, visit www.kofc.org/christmas.
Action Steps
- Identify a program chairman to oversee all action steps and delegate tasks as needed. If coordinating with the parish, confirm pastor approval with grand knight, and then set up subsequent parish ministrycollaboration meetings.
- Conduct activities promoting the true spirit of Christmas and the importance of Christ’s birth and message.
- If needed, contact your grand knight, financial secretary, or program director to order KCIC Program resources through Supplies Online via Officers Online.
- Prior to each event you conduct, consider crafting and distributing a tailored release to local media.
- Build public interest for your KCIC Program! Promote all activities in your parish and larger community through a variety of efforts:
- Prominently display promotional posters
- Bulletin announcements
- Pulpit announcements
- Posting on your council and parish website / social media pages
- Wear Knights of Columbus-branded apparel to all your KCIC activities and have the council membership director bring brochures and membership documents (including Prospect Cards #921A). Do not forget that this event is a recruiting opportunity!
- Enlist a fellow Knight or community member to photograph the event.
- To gain credit for your program, complete the associated reporting forms at the end of the Christmas season.
- Immediately after your program is finished, complete the Fraternal Programs Report Form (#10784)
- At the end of the fraternal year, complete the Columbian Award Application (#SP-7)