Dear friends,
As we prepare for the feast of St. Basil and the beginning of the New Year, we wanted to share two resources that we hope will bring some warmth to your home.
Attached to this email are two files designed to work together:
The Story (PDF): Yannis the Blessed is a beautiful tale of St. Basil traveling in disguise on New Year’s Eve. After being turned away by the wealthy, he finds warmth and true faith in the humble hut of a shepherd named Yannis.
The Lesson Plan (PDF): This is a comprehensive guide for Grades K–7. It walks you through reading the story and includes specific discussion questions tailored to different age groups—from simple comprehension for the little ones to deeper spiritual reflection for older students.
The lesson plan also includes an opening and closing prayer, a reflection on "entertaining angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:1–2), and an introduction to the vasilopita tradition.
We hope these resources help you start the New Year with a meaningful discussion about hospitality and the hidden blessings in our lives.
Wishing you a blessed feast day.
