Youth Curriculum, 12-7-25

Announcements: 

Youth & Family is inviting CSL families to join us for a joyful holiday evening with your CSL family on Friday, December 12, from 4–8 PM at Camp Grisdale at Christmastown in Shelton, WA! Enjoy free crafts, music, food, fire pits, Santa visits, and a festive Tree Maze, plus an optional wreath workshop at 5 PM (fee applies). Don’t miss the magical scheduled snow flurries at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Bring your family and friends and share in the wonder, warmth, and holiday spirit together!

December Theme: Celebrating the Light and Dark
Week 1 Value: Enlightenment – December 7, 2025
Affirmation: “I open to my own enlightenment in ever new ways.”

Curriculum Overview

We begin December by honoring the enlightenment of the Buddha and exploring what “awakening” means in our own lives. Rather than perfection, youth discover enlightenment as small moments of clarity, compassion, and connection — the gentle awareness that arises when we pause, breathe, and listen to our inner wisdom. We explore how each person carries an inner light that grows brighter whenever they choose kindness, curiosity, or presence.

Spiritual Lesson

The Buddha’s enlightenment reminds us that awakening is an ongoing journey, not a final destination. In Science of Mind, enlightenment is the recognition that the light of Spirit already lives within us. When youth see with the “eyes of Truth,” they discover that wisdom is always available — in quiet moments, in acts of compassion, and in their own intuitive knowing.

This week invites young people to notice the inner nudges that guide them: the feeling that helps them choose kindness, the pause before reacting, or the warm sense of knowing that something is right. These are all expressions of their inner light.

Spiritual Practice: Awakening From Within

Youth are guided into a brief meditation where they place a hand on their heart and imagine a small glowing light within — steady, warm, and always present. With each slow breath, they repeat silently:

Inhale: “I listen within.”

Exhale: “I awaken to my light.”

They notice how the inner glow expands as they breathe, symbolizing awareness and connection.

Active Listening: Book/Music/Video

• Book: “Buddha at Bedtime: “The Kind Prince” or “The Wise Little Rabbit.” (children)
• Music: “Peace Like a River” – Elizabeth Mitchell (children)
• Book: “Prince Siddhartha: The Story of Buddha,” This Thing Called You – excerpt (youth/teens)
• Music: “A Million Dreams” – from The Greatest Showman (youth/teens)

Creative Expression: Enlightenment Lanterns

Youth and teens will create “Enlightenment Lanterns” using translucent paper, tissue, and LED tea lights.

Each lantern symbolizes their inner wisdom — a light that grows brighter every time they pause to breathe, reflect, or choose compassion.

Inside the lantern, each child will add a word or symbol representing a quality they want to awaken this season, such as peace, clarity, kindness, courage, or joy.

Connecting: Sharing Our Light

Near the end of class, youth gather in a circle and place their lanterns at the center, creating a collective “constellation” of inner light.

They share (if they wish) something that helps them feel awake or connected inside — a quiet moment, a caring action, or a time they listened to their heart.

This shared circle symbolizes the truth that enlightenment is not separate for each of us — it grows stronger when we bring our lights together.

December Call to Action

This month, youth and teens are invited to take quiet moments at home to reflect on:

• What darkness is nurturing something new within me?
• What light is beginning to dawn in my life?
• What am I ready to release this year?
• What am I rising into as I welcome the new year?