Director: P.Celerino Anciano o.p. Text and design : Sister Teresa Castaño m.a.r. Translated by: Ana María Diaz y Eleazar González
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4st. Sunday of Advent. |
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4st. Sunday of Advent.
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"Jesus is our Saviour "
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Especific objective: |
That the children discover and keep in their hearts and minds that Jesus is our Saviour.
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1) GREETING |
Environment of the place of meeting: (suggestion) a table with a table cloth, the bible open on Mathew 1,12-24 . A card-board folded in four to form a card. A lighted candle with a ribbon tied into a bow.
“The Lord is near, let us rejoice”.
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2) Prayer |
- In silence we are going to thank Jesus for his help and ask forgiveness for the things we didn’t do.
- Let us all say: “Thank you Jesus, and teach us to be generous and faithful to our promises”. Amen.
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3) Committment |
We are going to remember how we kept our promise last week.
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4) ACTIVITY |
Give each child a sheet of paper folded like a card. On the inside of the card, write a phase of the song that we are going to sing.
Song:
Away in a Manger
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle until morning is nigh.
Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay
Close by me forever and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care
And take to Heaven to with thee there.
We should sing this song thinking about what the words tell us. This song is like a pray that proclaims Jesus our Saviour.
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5) THE GOSPEL |
After each child has written the part of the song that he or she likes, the children fold their sheets of paper and get ready to listen to the word of the Lord. All the children should stand around the table with the lighted candle, listening very carefully.
Mathew 1,12-24.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit, and her husband Joseph being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to send her away quietly. But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit; she will bear a son and you shall call her name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet “Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took his wife, but knew her not until had borne a son; and he called his name Jesus.
After the reading, all sit around the table to reflect and talk about the reading with the help of the drawings and posters. The catechist will explain to the children: that people who were engaged to be married in the time of Jesus, lived separately for one year in their parents’ houses. Because of this, we read that Mary and Joseph were engaged but not married. During this time of engagement, God sent his messanger. (the catechist should read Luke 1,26-38). The angel told Mary in Luke 1,37 that “nothing is impossible with God”. Because of this God works in great and wonderful ways.
6) MEDITATION
HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING THAT GOD HAS DONE.
- Mary conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Jesus will save his people from their sins.
- Joseph was a just man.
- Emmanuel: God with us.
7) Catequist explanation:
The catechist reflects on the following:
Joseph took on his mission of adopted father with all responsibility. He loved Jesus and Mary and took care of them. God chose him to teach Jesus about the customs and the faith of his people.
8) ACTIVITY
Each child takes their card and draws a picture of the birth of Jesus on the outside of the card (they can colour the drawing at home).
9) Celebration:
Everybody stands around the table with the bible and the light in the middle.
Catechist:
Today we have heard and we have learned that God loves us infinitely with an endless love, this is why he wants to save us and to be with us.
- Each child writes a sentence of gratitude and signs it. In the meanwhile they all sing a Christmas carol. The catechist will keep the cards until Epiphany Sunday. Holding hands they pray the Our Father.
10) Commentment for the week:
- Place the card that each one has made in his or her room together with the other Advent symbols.
- Help to make a creche at home and put a sign with the words “God with us”.
- Every night pray for those who do not know Jesus.
