Join in this fun, high-interest literature course -- where your middle school student learns “the magic of Christmas.” From the Gospels to Colonial American stories, examine Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” G.K. Chesterton’s classics, and more -- as you gain a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation.
How to get the most out of Christmas in Literature, Art, and Music with Kevin O’Brien:
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First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.
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Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.
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Read assignments before class meetings
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Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.
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Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.
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Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.
Total Classes: 6
Duration: 45 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested Grade Level: 6th to 8th grade
Suggested middle school credit: ½ semester credit Literature or History
Class Instructor: Kevin O’Brien
Instructor Email: kevin@classeswithkevin.
Course Description: What is the “magic of Christmas” and why has it captivated even the secular world for so many centuries? We’ll explore the history of the celebration of Christmas, from the Gospel accounts of the Nativity to the banning of Christmas by the Puritans in Colonial America, to the commercialization and secularization of Christmas in modern times. Through it all, we’ll look at the depiction of the Nativity in Literature, Film and Music. We’ll examine A Christmas Carol, we’ll watch scenes from Christmas movies, we’ll read essays and poems on Christmas by G.K. Chesterton, we’ll examine the theology and wonder behind classic and modern Christmas Carols -- and we’ll even explore the strange transformation of St. Nicholas into Santa Claus! But our goal through it all will be to have a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation. Note that each student will work on a Final Project that will be a story, poem or other creative work that he or she will present to his or her family during the Christmas season!
Course Outline:
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The Nativity of Our Lord in the Early Church
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St. Nicholas - from Bishop to Santa Claus
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Christmas in the Middle Ages - Mummers and More!
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The Puritans and the Death of Christmas
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“A Christmas Carol” - Dickens and the Revival of Christmas
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Modern Christmas - Songs and Movies
Course Materials: Provided as PDF’s free by the Instructor
Homework: Quizzes and fun assignments. Homework should average about one hour per week.
- Teacher: Kevin OBrien