Christmas can seem like a time to put away sadness and doubt, cover over stress and loneliness, and get excited by listening to some good old Christmas carols. But youth, like adults, know that this isn't real life, and as much as a dose of holiday cheer can do some good, it can't come at the expense of pretending-away everything else.

"Preparing the Way" is a four-session Advent study pack that opens up the rich meanings of love, hope, joy, and peace to help teens look beyond the tinsel during the month of December. Celebrating both the fun of the season and the real needs that people bring to church, this study pack offers a multitude of ways for youth to access the themes of Advent in a deeper way. The Leader's Guide offers options for dialogue, drama, music, movies, in-depth Bible study, meditation, labyrinth-walking, and service.