Children’s Liturgy Instructions
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 second Sunday in Advent. Does anybody know how many Sundays there are in Advent? (Four altogether) And then what feast do we celebrate? (Christmas - the birth of Jesus) Which candles do we light today? <two purples> Why purple? <to remind us that we are waiting and preparing>
Introduce the symbol
Say: (Hold up symbol - footprint) Does anybody know what this is? (footprint) This footprint represents a journey. What is a journey? <a trip> Has anyone ever taken a trip before? Are they fun?
If you were walking on your trip, would it be easier to travel over a rocky area or over a smooth road? <smooth>
Explain: Our lives are like journeys or trips. We start at one place - as babies - and end somewhere else entirely - as grown-ups. Sometimes our life is like a rocky field and sometimes it’s like a smooth road. And sometimes, not always, we can do something about what kind of road we walk on.
Attach the symbol to the banner.
Introduce readings:
Explain: Our first reading is from the Old Testament, from the book of the prophet Baruch ( Bar 5: 1-5, 7). Baruch was a friend of the prophet Jeremiah whose reading we listened to last week. He speaks to Jerusalem (and to us) and tells us about the time when Jesus comes. Listen and see if you can remember something Baruch shares with us.
Say: Now we will have the first reading (light the two purple candles)
Have the first reading
Ask: Baruch says to ”exchange your robes of sorrow and suffering for those glorious garments God has given you forever” What could that mean? <To stop being sad and discouraged, to joyfully get ready, to have faith> Our faith and love shows God’s love and power to others.
Say: Next we will have the Responsorial Psalm. Your part will be to say:
The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. (hold up poster)
Have reader read the psalm
Say: The Gospel reading today is from the New Testament, from the gospel according to Luke (Luke 3:1a, 2-6). Luke tells us about a relative of Jesus who spent a lot of time telling people to get ready. This person tells us to make our paths straight for the Lord. Listen closely and see if you know who this person is.
Say: Now let’s stand up so we can hear the Gospel
Alleluia, Alleluia
Read: Read the Gospel
Discuss: Who is this person? <John the Baptist> Which relative was he - a brother or uncle or what? <cousin> What does it mean to make a straight path for the Lord? <to be good and get bad thoughts and actions out of our way>
Hand out the poster and Offertory symbols to color and cut out.
Explain: Write your name on the small footprint and hand that back to me. Color the large footprint to show what you have learned about the journey of life and preparing for the coming of Jesus.
Encourage: If there are some older children, encourage them to think of things they can do this week to make the world a better place for Jesus to come back to - and write them on the back of their symbol.
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. Remind the children that there are things for them to do at home in the parent letters.
Give out stickers and hand-outs as they leave.
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| Use this graphic for all three banner symbols |
Parent Letter
2nd Sunday Advent C
Today is the Second Sunday in Advent. The children listened to simplified versions of two of the same readings you heard: Baruch 5:1-5, 7 and Luke 3:1a, 2-6.
To reinforce at home:
Today’s symbol was a footprint! Life is a journey from one place to another. We talked about what we can do to make our life more pleasing to God. John the Baptist came to show us the way.. to introduce us to Jesus. He declared that he would help make the path straight. We compared our lives without Jesus to a rocky path and our lives WITH Jesus to a smooth path.
When you light the second purple candle in your Advent wreath today, think about your family Advent journey and pray for Jesus’ guidance.
Activities to do at home:
*Take a walk! Children think very concretely. Your child will understand more about “rocky paths” and “smooth paths” when you take a walk together and show the connection.
*Attitude Adjustment! Life is not always smooth or easy for people who believe in Jesus and who try to do all the right things. Help your child understand that when you believe in Jesus, your attitude makes your perception of your situation better!
*Pray! Do you (or your child) know someone who needs a “smoother” path in their journey of life? Pray with your child for the people who especially need some help from Jesus right now.
Thank you for sharing your children!
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