Children’s Liturgy Instructions
3rd Sunday of Advent (C)
Welcome children to their worship space.
Ask them to sit down in a circle.
Introduce yourself and your helpers
Remind them why we come together to hear the readings.
Ask: Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Do you remember what color candle we light this week? <pink> And what does the color pink stand for here in church? <joy> Why are we joyful? <because the long wait for Jesus is almost over>
Introduce the symbol
Say: (Hold up symbol) Does anybody know what this is? (a shell ) Do you remember from the Jesse tree who the shell represents? <John the Baptist>
Attach the symbol to the banner.
Introduce readings
Explain: Our first reading is from the Old Testament, from the book of the prophet Zephaniah. (Zeph 3:14-15) In the Old Testament, there is a tremendous amount of history of God’s people. We have heard many Old Testament stories about waiting. What were they waiting for? <the coming of a king, or one who would save them>
When did our Scripture called the Old Testament end? <at the birth of Jesus, the beginning of the New Testament> Now what are we waiting for? <for Jesus to come back again>
Say: Now we will have the first reading (light three of the candles - 2 purple and one pink)
Have the first reading
Say: Next we will have the Responsorial Psalm. Your part will be to say:
Cry out with joy and gladness for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. (hold up the poster)
Have reader read the psalm
Say: The Gospel reading today is from the New Testament, from the gospel according to Luke (Luke 3:10-16, 18). Again this week, we hear about John the Baptist. People kept coming to him and asking how they should behave. He was such a good man that people wondered if he were the Messiah everyone was waiting for. Let’s listen to what John had to say and how he answered their questions.
Say: Now we will stand so that we can hear the Gospel
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Read: Read the Gospel
Discuss: What did John have to say? What does he tell us to do? <to share, to do what we are supposed to do and to be nice to people. He says to be fair and to be satisfied with what we have.> Was John the Messiah? <no> Who is? <Jesus>
Hand out the small shell symbols so that the children can write their names on them and glue them to the poster.
Hand out the symbols of a shell to color and cut out to show what you have learned about how to prepare ourselves for Jesus.
Encourage: Suggest that those who are able write one thing they can do to follow Paul’s and John’s advice. (like be nice to a sibling, obey a parent with a smile, give the last cookie to someone, etc.)
While they are coloring, explain how we will go back into the church, up to the front with our gifts and rejoin our families.
Count out the parent letters and hand-outs to go home.
Give out stickers and hand-outs as they leave.
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| Use this graphic for all 3 symbols |
Parent Letter
3rd Sunday Advent C
Today is the 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. Your children have heard a simplified version of two of the same reading you heard: Zephaniah 3:14-15; Luke 3:10-16, 18
To reinforce at Home:
In Zephaniah, we have another Old Testament reading about waiting. We reminded the children that before Jesus’ birth, the Jewish people had a long tradition of waiting for their deliverance. They had many differing perceptions of how they would be delivered. Many prophets foretold that God’s promise of deliverance would one day come true.
In the Gospel today, we hear again about John the Baptist. He, too, preached about waiting for God’s promised one. John told the people (and us!) what to do while we wait. He told us to be kind, to share our goods and to love each other. Today’s symbol is the scallop shell – a symbol of St John the Baptist and of the sacrament of Baptism.
Activities to do at Home:
* Celebrate! St. John was the prophet who ushered in Jesus’ ministry. When you light the pink candle in your Advent wreath today, pray that you remember John’s message of love during your journey to be ready for Jesus.
* Perform a random act of kindness this week. Help your child think of someone they do not particularly like that they could do something nice for.
*Make time for something your family likes to do. Your Advent journey is moving along. Is there something you’d like to do that you haven’t done yet? Now is the time to make sure you do it before the season ends!
Thank you for sharing your children
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