Feast of the Epiphany B

Feast of the Epiphany Cycle B

Welcome children to their worship space.

Ask them to get their carpet squares and sit down in a circle.

Introduce yourself and your helpers.

Introduce

Ask:  Last week’s symbol was the Holy Family.  We talked about how God wants us to take care of each other in our family.

Say:  Today is the Feast of the Epiphany.  Sometimes it is called the Feast of the Three Kings.

Introduce symbol

Say:   Today’s symbol is a globe.  <hold up the symbol>  What do you think this might represent?  <the earth, all of us>  It does represent all of us, all people in the world. 

Ask:  What do you remember about the three kings or wise men?  <came from different countries, were looking for a king, followed the star, etc.>  One of the most important things to remember today is that these men (or maybe women), were strangers in Bethlehem.  They traveled a long distance to find something very special, Jesus.  We have to look for Jesus too, all the time and everywhere.

Say:  Let’s look at today’s poster.  What does it say? <Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.>  This is our Responsorial Psalm for today.  The Responsorial Psalms also come from Scripture, from the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament.

Introduce readings

We have two readings today.

Say:  Let’s light the candle to show that we are ready to listen to the Word of God.

Say: Today’s first reading is from the second Old Testament book of the prophet Isaiah. (Isa 60:1-6)  In this reading, we hear about Jerusalem.  Jerusalem is a city, the holy city of the Israelites, the people of God.  When it is used here, it still means the people of God – that’s us!  Listen to this reading and see if you can hear what is said about Jerusalem.

Have the reader read the first reading.

Ask:  What did you hear?  <let the children retell>  You are Jerusalem. You are God’s chosen child who is blessed by God.  We all have to remember that each one of us is that chosen person and to look for God in each other.

Say: Now it is time for the Responsorial Psalm.  Your part is to say:

             Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Say:  Today’s Gospel reading comes from the book of Matthew.  (Matt 2:1-12).  This is St. Matthew’s story about the journey of the wise men.  While you listen to the story, think of these men searching for a child born to be a king.  Do you think they were surprised at what they found?

Say:  Now we will stand and get ready to hear the Gospel

(hold up card)  Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Have the reader begin: “a reading from the holy gospel.....”

Read:  Read the Gospel

Ask:  What were the wise men looking for?  <a child who was born to be a king>  What did they find in Bethlehem?  < a poor couple with a baby in a stable>  Do you think that they were surprised at what they found?  <discuss>  How do you think they knew they had found the king?

Say:  They knew that being a king didn’t necessarily mean that a person was rich.  They opened their eyes and hearts and believed in Jesus even though he didn’t look very kingly.  The wise men can help us remember to look for Jesus in everyone we meet.

Hand out the poster cut-outs of a circle so that the children can write their names on them for the poster.

Hand out the symbols to color. (The symbol is a globe).  Ask the older children to write one thing they can do this week to remember to look for Jesus in each other.

 

Explain: Color this symbol of globe and bring it to the altar (don’t forget to put your name on the back!)  to show that we have learned about how Jesus is for everyone and we need to look for him.

If there is time, ask questions and go over the lessons one more time to help the children remember.

Give out stickers and hand-outs as they leave.

 

Use this small graphic for the community poster

Use this graphic to create the medium banner symbol and the large Offertory gift sheets

Parent Letter

Feast of the Epiphany  B

Dear parents:

           Today is the Feast of the Epiphany.  The children listened to simplified versions of the same readings that you heard: Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12

Symbol: Globe

To reinforce at home:

Today we are reminded that Jesus came for all people in the world.  We talked about how the wise men listened to God and understood when they found Jesus even though he did not look like a king.  Jesus wants us to look for him too.  He wants us to listen to God and to find God in each other.

Activities to do at home:

*Talk with your child.about some people you know who don’t appear to have Jesus inside.  Discuss ways that you might deal with that.

*Be Jesus for someone else.  Do you know someone who needs some cheering up?  Have your child draw a picture or write a note and send it to that person.

*Enjoy the “Jesus” in each other.  Help your child recognize times when they act like Jesus would.  Let your child know how much you appreciate them.

Thank you for sharing your children!