1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

BEFORE ADVENT BEGINS:
THE ADVENT WREATH
We light one candle on the Advent wreath every week as we prepare for Christmas.
There are three purple candles on the wreath. Purple is the colour of ‘looking forward’.
A pink candle is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent. Pink is a happy colour. It reminds
us that Christmas is getting nearer. The wreath is in the shape of a circle because a
circle has no beginning and no end. It goes on forever, just like God’s love for us.
Colour the wreath each week as you prepare for the coming of Jesus on Christmas Day.
Light the Advent candle one,
Now the waiting has begun.
We have started on our way,
Time to think of Christmas Day.
Light the Advent candle two,
Think of humble shepherd who,
Filled with wonder at the sight,
Of the child on Christmas night.
Light the Advent candle three,
Think of heavenly harmony.
Angels singing “Peace on Earth”,
At the Blessed Saviour’s birth.
Light the Advent candle four,
Think of joy forever more.
Christ Child in a stable born,
Gift of love on Christmas morn.
MAKE AN ADVENT WREATH FOR YOUR CLASSROOM
You will need:
• An empty biscuit tin covered in green paper and filled with damp sand
• Evergreen branches
• Four candles: three purple and one pink
• Purple Ribbon
Place the candles at intervals in the sand. Place evergreen branches between and
around the candles to cover the sand. Use the purple ribbon to decorate.
FOR INFANT CLASSES
You can also make a ‘no burn’ Advent wreath for Infant classes!
You will need:
• Green card or sugar paper
• Scissors and glue
• A paper plate
• A sheet of yellow, purple and pink card
Using green card or green sugar paper, have each child trace around their hand and
cut it out. These will become the ‘leaves’ on your wreath. Cut a hole in the centre of a
paper plate, and glue the ‘leaves’ on. Make ‘candles’ by rolling pieces of purple and
pink card, using sticky tape to hold the ends in place. Make ‘flames’ for each candle
using yellow card. You can add the flames each week as you ‘light’ your Advent
wreath!
BLESS THE ADVENT WREATH
You might like to invite the priest or chaplain to bless the Advent Wreath.
The following prayer may be used. Use Holy Water to sprinkle and bless the wreath.
Loving God,
Bless these candles and make them a sign of your love for us and our hope in you.
May our Advent Wreath be a source of joy in our school and in our classroom.
As light comes from these candles, may it guide us and brighten our way as we wait
for your coming. May you bring light into our schools, homes and communities as
we wait and prepare this Advent season.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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BEFORE ADVENT BEGINS:
THE JESSE TREE
The Jesse tree is like the family tree of Jesus. Its name
comes from Jesse, who was the father of King David. Jesse
and King David were ancestors of Jesus. The Jesse tree
shows us more of the important people in the Old
Testament. It shows us how long they waited for a king.
We know that Jesus is the king that God promised to
send. We use the Jesse Tree to remind us of God’s promise.
CAN YOU FIND JESUS’ ANCESTORS IN THE BIBLE?
Look in your Bible to find the names of Jesus’ family. Write each name in the spaces
below. Then match the person to the symbols at the side.
GENESIS 3:20
GENESIS 7:1
GENESIS 22:1
EXODUS 19:20
RUTH 2:2
2 SAMUEL 5: 3
LUKE 3:16
MATTHEW 1:24
LUKE 1:38
MATTHEW 2:2
MAKE YOUR OWN JESSE TREE
It’s fun to make your own Jesse Tree, either at home or in school. Just use a dead
branch, or draw and cut out a branch on cardboard. You can use the symbols above
and even add more! You can download some Jesse Tree Symbols from
www.osv.com/Portals/0/images/pdf/JesseTree.pdf.
Cut them out and colour them in, and then attach a string or coloured ribbon to hang
them from the branch.
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Tomorrow is
the feast of St
Nicholas. Be
generous –
share with
others.
Light two
purple candles
on the Advent
Wreath.
Pray for your
granny and
granddad
today.
Today is the
feast of the
Immaculate
Conception.
Say the
Hail Mary.
Today is the
feast of St
Francis
Xavier. Pray
for peace in
the world.
Forgive
someone
who has
hurt you.
Say thank
you to
everyone
who helps
you today.
Remember
your prayers
before bed
tonight.
Start here, on the
First Sunday of
Advent –
November 29th.
Complete one task
each day, and
color the stone to
show that we are
one day closer to
Christmas
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Show the
people you
live with
that you
love them.
Offer to help an
older neighbor
with an
odd job.
Give away
one of your
best smiles
today!
Light the
first purple
candle on
the Advent
Wreath.
☺
Be polite –
hold the door
open for
someone.
Write a
Christmas letter
or card to
someone you
love.
Say a prayer
for the people
you love who
have died.
Say a prayer
for people
who are lonely
at Christmas.
Sing some
Christmas
carols at home
or in school.
Remember to
say the grace
before meals
today.
Light three
purple and
one pink
candle on the
Advent
Wreath.
Read the story
of the First
Christmas in
Luke’s Gospel.
Recycle your
Christmas card
envelopes and
give your used
stamps away.
Light two
purple and
one pink
candle on
the Advent
Wreath
Tomorrow is
the feast of St
Lucy. Visit a
Church and
ask for help to
light a candle
Draw a picture
of the stable in
Bethlehem
where Jesus
was born.
Help to tidy the
house to
prepare for
Christmas Day.
Go to Mass
tonight or
tomorrow and
celebrate that
Jesus is born!
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A REFLECTION FOR TEACHERS:
LESSONS FROM THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
RAYMOND TOPLEY
Originally published in the Irish Catholic, Advent 2008
BY
'The Little Drummer Boy' is one of the most popular carols of the Christmas season. Its
message, telling the story of an imaginary encounter with the new-born Jesus, is familiar to all.
In this regard, it has much to teach the Christian disciple of any age. Particularly appealing are
the touching and inspiring lines, ''I played my drum for him,'' and ''I played my best for him.''
The song is simplicity itself and this is very much part of its universal appeal. Against the
backdrop of the gentle yet catchy tune, the words recount the meeting between a boy
drummer and a boy king. But the apparent simplicity reveals a profound message. The
drummer boy not only plays his drum for Jesus, he also plays his best for him. The
commitment is one hundred per cent. There is no holding back and in this total giving he
becomes a model for all Christian disciples in their relationship with the Lord. The song,
therefore, is essentially Christological. It imagines an encounter with Christ and points to the
ideal response namely, service of the Lord to the best of one's ability.
What lessons, therefore, has the little drummer boy for teachers and catechists, for instance?
Firstly, Christian ministry is rooted in an encounter with the Lord. Each annual celebration of
Christmas presents an opportunity for deepening that experience. Secondly, it is important to
identify one's particular talent with a view to placing it at the service of God and God's people.
For this boy it was drumming. However, each one has something special to offer as noted in
the jingle, ''God has a job for you to do, as hand fits glove and foot fits shoe'' or as expressed
more soberly by Cardinal Newman when he declared, ''God has committed some work to me
which he has not committed to another'' (Mediations and Devotions). But while each one
responds in a particular way to the call of God there remains one thing that is common to all,
and that is the fulfilling of one's role to the very best of one's ability.
For the Christian believer to be able to say at the end of
life, ''I played my drum for him'' and ''I played my best
for him'' is truly to have answered the call of Christian
ministry and discipleship. Besides that, it also inherits
the affirmation of Christ expressed succinctly in the
closing words of the song, ''Then he smiled at me.'' If
this 'eschatological smile' of Christ were sub-titled it
might read, ''Well done, good and faithful servant,
come and inherit the kingdom prepared for you since
the foundation of the world'' (Mt 25:24). This carol, therefore, is not just about a simple visit to
a crib. It has more to it than that. It is eschatological in that it fits in with the end of life, with
the Christian believer's final encounter with the Lord and the notion of Christ as King.
Inheriting such a royal divine 'smile' for a job well done or a life well spent is the eternal lot of
both adults and children, who 'drum' for the Lord to the best of their ability following the
spiritual rhythm of the little drummer boy.
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FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
THEME: WATCH!
In this week’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that we should watch for signs
of God in the world. He also tells us that he will come again, at the
end of time, and we have to be ready for that day too. Jesus uses
an example from nature to help us to understand. He says that when we see
leaves returning to the trees, we know that summer time will soon follow.
In the same way, we are to look for signs of him in our world. Jesus tells us to “Watch
out and keep praying.” You can read this Gospel in your class or family Bible. You will
find it in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21; verses 25-36.
This week, look out for signs of God’s love in the world. Every day, write down or
draw one of these signs. It might be that you see someone doing a good deed, or you
might see something in nature that reminds you of God. Remember to say a prayer to
God when see these signs. In this way, you are doing what Jesus asked you to do in
this week’s Gospel.
SACRED SPACE FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Start to create your sacred space for Advent by using a purple cloth. Add your
Advent wreath, and light the first purple candle. Place a Bible in the sacred space,
and open it to this week’s Gospel. Each week, you can add items which reflect the
theme of that week’s Gospel message and any feast days that occur. You can also
add your class’s work to the sacred space.
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PRAYER SERVICE TO BEGIN ADVENT
Let’s begin by blessing ourselves in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
Light the first candle on the Advent Wreath and pray the following prayer
Light the Advent candle one,
Now the waiting has begun.
We have started on our way,
Time to think of Christmas Day
SING:
The Advent Hymn (Alive-O 5, p. 114)
LEADER:
Today we will honour the One who is coming.
We will remember the story of what happened long, long ago.
We will remember some of the people who are part of that story.
CHILD:
Come Lord Jesus
ALL:
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
READER: The Angel Gabriel came to Mary. She would be a mother
soon. Jesus would be her son. Let us remember the One
who is coming.
CHILD:
Come Lord Jesus
ALL:
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
READER:
Joseph has a dream. The angel told him not to be afraid to
marry Mary. Let us remember the One who is coming.
CHILD:
Come Lord Jesus
ALL:
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
READER: The Roman soldiers told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem. Everyone
had to be counted. Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room at
the inn. Let us remember the One who is coming.
CHILD:
8
Come Lord Jesus
ALL:
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
READER: Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth. The angels
welcomed the Lord Jesus. Let us remember the One who is coming.
CHILD:
Come Lord Jesus
ALL:
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
READER: The shepherds minded the sheep. Nobody thought that
they would be the first people to know that Jesus had
been born. Let us remember the One who is coming.
CHILD:
Come Lord Jesus
ALL:
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
READER: The Magi saw the star in the sky. They followed that star until it led them to
the baby Jesus. Let us remember the One who is coming.
CHILD:
Come Lord Jesus
ALL:
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
READER: The Christmas story tells us how the shepherds and
the Magi met Jesus long ago. We are reminded in
these days of Advent that Jesus is our friend. He is the One who is coming.
CHILD:
Come Lord Jesus
ALL:
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
SING:
Carol of the Journey (Alive-O 1, p. 108; Alive-O 2, p. 124; Alive-O 3, p. 162)
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FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
THEME: WATCH!
During the first week of Advent we celebrate the feast St Francis Xavier.
His feast is celebrated on December 3rd.
FFACT FILE:
SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER:
Francis Xavier was born in Spain in 1506
He went to study in Paris in 1525 and there he met Ignatius of Loyola
In 1534 he was one of the seven men who, with Ignatius, founded the Society of Jesus,
also known as the Jesuits
He was ordained in Venice in 1538
The Pope recognised the Society of Jesus in 1540
He was a great missioner and travelled far and wide to countries such as
Mozambique, India, China and Japan telling people about Jesus and preaching the
Gospel
He was canonised a Saint in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV
He is Patron Saint of all Foreign Missions
His feast day is December 3rd
Colour some of the places
that St Francis Xavier
visited on the map
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St Francis Xavier Word Search
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SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
THEME: PREPARE!
This week’s Gospel tells us about John the Baptist, whose job it
was to tell the people to prepare for Jesus’ coming. Crack the code
to reveal John’s message.
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Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Isaiah wrote about John the
Baptist. He knew that John would be the one to help the people to
prepare for Jesus. Isaiah said,
In the desert, someone is shouting, “Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight
path for him. Fill up every valley and level every mountain and hill. Straighten the
crooked paths and smooth out the rough roads. Then everyone will see the power of God.”
HOW WILL YOU RESPOND TO JOHN’S MESSAGE TO PREPARE FOR JESUS’ BIRTH?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
SACRED SPACE FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT
Place a bottle of holy water in your sacred space. This reminds us of our own
Baptism. Open your class Bible at Luke 3:1-6 and read this Gospel during the week.
Add a statue of Mary to celebrate December 8th and the Feast of Our Lady of
Guadalupe. You could also put a picture of Saint Nicholas in your sacred space.
Thank God for his example of generosity this week.
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SAINT NICHOLAS
DECEMBER 6TH
The true story of Santa Claus begins with Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas
was born in Turkey long, long ago. He could have been a very rich man, but
he gave all of his money away to people who were poor and sick. He was a
very generous man. We remember him in a special way on December 6th.
This year, December 6th is also the Second Sunday of Advent. Saint
Nicholas helps us to prepare for Christmas by reminding us to be generous and to always
share with others.
FIND THE WORDS IN THE WORD SEARCH.
santa
sack
present
nicholas
give
poor
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PUT THE WORDS INTO A SENTENCE.
Santa:___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Sack:____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Nicholas:________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Give:____________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
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FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
DECEMBER 8TH
Every year, on December 8th, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate
Conception. On this day, we remember that Mary was conceived without
sin, and so chosen from the very first moment of her life to be the mother of
Jesus. The Angel Gabriel told Mary:
The feast of the Immaculate Conception is one of the special days during the year that
we are asked to go to Mass, no matter what day of the week it is. We call these special
days Holy Days of Obligation.
TRUE OR FALSE?
Circle the correct answer.
14
1. Mary lived in Jerusalem.
True / False
2. Mary was married to Joseph.
True / False
3. The angel Geraldine told Mary that she would have a baby.
True / False
4. Mary’s sister was called Elizabeth.
True / False
5. Jesus was Mary’s only child.
True / False
6. Mary is the only woman who never sinned in her whole life.
True / False
7. The Church honours Mary in a special way in May.
True / False
8. Mary’s mother’s name was Amelia.
True / False
9. Mary’s baby was born on November 25th
True / False
10. Mary is sometimes called the Queen of Heaven
True / False
PREPARE!
Just like us, Mary had to prepare
for the birth of Jesus.
RESEARCH!
What other days in the Church
are Holy Days of Obligation?
Make a list of all the things that
Mary had to do.
Use the internet to help you find
the answer!
In what ways are we preparing
Make a list of the Church’s
for Jesus’ birth at home, in school
Holy Days of Obligation in your
and in our parish community?
Religion copy.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
DECEMBER 12TH
Our Lady has appeared in many places
throughout the world to many different
people.
She often brings a message of hope,
inviting people to turn back to God, and
to pray.
Mary appeared to a girl called
Bernadette in Lourdes in 1858, and also
to three children in the Portuguese town
of Fatima in 1917. In 1879, Mary
appeared in a village called Knock in
County Mayo.
In 1531, Our Lady appeared to a man
called Juan Diego on a hill called
Tepeyac near Mexico City. Mary told
Juan that she wanted the local bishop to
build a church on that hill. Juan went to
the bishop, who asked for a sign that the
woman really was Our Lady. The next
time Juan saw Mary, she told him to go
to the top of the hill, where he would
find roses, even though it was the month
of December. Juan did what Mary asked
him, and, sure enough, the roses were
there as she had said. Juan picked the
roses and carried them in his cloak to the
bishop. When Juan took the roses out of
his cloak, an image of Our Lady was left
on the fabric. The picture on the left is
the image of Mary which appeared the
cloak.
Juan Diego’s cloak – with the image of
Mary on it – can still be seen today. It is
kept in Basilica of Our Lady of
Guadalupe in Mexico City.
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THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
THEME: SHARE!
The Gospel Reading for the Third Sunday of Advent comes from the
Gospel of St Luke, chapter 3, verses 10-18. You might like to
read this with your class. Encourage them to find the text in the class bible.
In this week’s Gospel John tells us that we must always be willing to share
what we have particularly with people who are not as lucky as we are.
Think of some of the things
that you have that you can
WORD SEARCH
share with those around
Find some things that you can share in the Word Search
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MATCH THE WORD WITH THE PICTURE
Smile
Pencils
Toys
Sweets
16
you!
pencils
smiles
sweets
toys
Note for the teacher: Use either the story or poem that follows to help the
children in your class think about the kind of things that we can share, gifts
that we can give that do not cost money. You might like to have an outline of a
Christmas Tree in your classroom where the children could put these kinds of
presents. They could write the names of the presents and stick them on the tree
or make envelopes out of Christmas wrapping paper and put the names of the presents into the
envelopes before placing them on the tree.
THE GIVING TREE
This is a story called ‘The Giving Tree’ written by a man called Shel Silverstein. Read the
story with your class.
Once there was a tree……
And she loved a little boy.
And every day the boy would come.
And he would gather her leaves and make them into
crowns and play king of the forest.
He would climb up her trunk. And swing from her
branches. And when he was tired, he would sleep in
her shade.
And the boy loved the tree very much
And the tree was happy.
But time went by, and the boy grew older.
And the tree was often alone. Then one day the boy came to the tree and the tree said:
”Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat
apples and play in my shade and be happy.”
“I am too big to climb and play,” said the boy. “I want to buy things and have fun. I
want some money. Can you give me some money?”
”I’m sorry,” said the tree,” but I have no money. I have only leaves and apples. Take
my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money and you’ll be
happy.”
And so the boy climbed up the tree and gathered her apples and carried them away.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time…… and the tree was sad.
And then, one day, the boy came back and the tree shook with joy, and she said:
”Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat
apples and play in my shade and be happy.”
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“I am too busy to climb trees,” said the boy. “I want a house to keep
me warm,” he said. “I want a wife and I want children, and so I need a
house. Can you give me a house?”
“I have no house,” said the tree. The forest is my house,” said the tree,
“but you may cut off my branches and build a house. Then you will be
happy”
And so the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build a house. And the
tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time……and the tree was sad. And when he came
back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak.
“Come, Boy,” she whispered, “come and play.”
“I am too old and sad to play,” said the boy. “I want a boat that will take me away
from here. Can you give me a boat?”
“Cut down my trunk and make a boat,” said the tree. “Then you can sail away and be
happy.”
And so the boy cut down her trunk. And made a boat and sailed away.
And the tree was happy…..But not really.
And after a long time the boy came back again.
“I am sorry, Boy,” said the tree, “but I have nothing left to give you. My apples are
gone.”
“My teeth are too weak for apples,” said the boy.
“My branches are gone,” said the tree.”You cannot swing on them.”
”I am too old to swing on branches,” said the boy.
“My trunk is gone,” said the tree. “You cannot climb.”
”I am too tired to climb,” said the boy.
“I am sorry,” sighed the tree. “I wish that I could give you something, but I have
nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry.”
”I don’t need very much now,” said the boy. “Just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am
very tired.”
“Well,” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, “well, an old
stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down…and rest.”
And the tree was happy.
SACRED SPACE FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT
Open your class Bible at Luke 3:10-18 and read this Gospel during the week. Place a
picture of St Lucy and a copy of her prayer in the Sacred Space. Remember to say a
prayer for people who are blind or who have difficulties with their eyes when you
light the pink candle on your Advent Wreath this week.
18
THE GIVING TREE
BRAINSTORM
What do you think this story is about?
The gifts that the tree gave were from the heart,
they didn’t cost money. Sometimes they are the
best gifts.
Can you think of gifts that are free and would
mean something special? Let’s write down some
of those kinds of gifts on the board.
Decide which gift you would like to give someone
you care about. Write the gift on a card and put it
on the Christmas tree.
INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARD ACTIVITY:
Download the story in animated form from this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWNWnm3IX2M. In this version the story is
read by the author.
There are many other versions of this story available on You Tube. Try this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE
19
THE PRESENT
The poor little boy was as sad as could be.
He had no present for under the tree.
“Oh, my Mammy and Daddy work so hard for me,
I have nothing to give them to thank them you see”.
But, later, alone, on his small little bed,
he took bright coloured paper and long bits of thread.
And he tied up a parcel with nothing inside,
and he crept down the stairs when the parcel was tied.
When he woke the next day, he went down to the tree,
he saw Mammy and Daddy as glad as could be,
“We got perfume, a tie and a clock for the shelf,
but your present is special, you made it yourself.
And your bright little parcel, all tied up and small,
was filled up with love, the best present of all.
Christy Kenneally
Make a present filled with love! Put it in or near your Sacred Space to
remind us that Christmas is not just about all the toys and gifts that we
will get. Christmas is about the love that God has for each and every one
of us. God showed us that love by giving us the best present of all – Jesus Christ!
Consider helping the Vincent de Paul in your area by
collecting gifts for people who are finding life difficult this
Christmas. Make contact with someone from the local
St Vincent de Paul and see what you can do to help.
20
FEAST OF SAINT LUCY
DECEMBER 13TH
Saint Lucy was from Syracuse, a city on the east coast of Sicily. She
lived about 300 years after Jesus died, when Christianity was still a
very new religion. It was difficult for Lucy to practise her faith
because those who did so openly were often killed. We do not know much about her
except that she was a courageous young woman who was proud of her Christian faith,
despite the dangers.
The name Lucy means “light” and she is the patron of people who are blind or who
have diseases of the eye. In ancient times, her feast was celebrated at the time of the
Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. So her feast day has become a feast of
light pointing us towards Christ, our Light.
St Lucy’s Day is still celebrated in many parts of Europe. In Sweden, Denmark,
Finland and Norway, it is the job of the eldest daughter to act as Lucy. She walks in
procession with a crown of candles on her head, reminding us that St Lucy always
kept the light of Christ alive. You can read more about how St Lucy’s Day is celebrated
at www.schooloftheseasons.com/lucy.html .
PRAYER TO SAINT LUCY:
Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for
the whole world to see. May we always let our light shine in everything
we do. Please help us to have the courage to bring the light of Christ into
our work, our play, our friendships and our conversations -- every
corner of our day. Amen.
21
FILL IN THE BLANKS
TO MAKE A
FACT FILE ON THE LIFE OF ST LUCY
Lucy was _ _ _ _ in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ more
than _ _ _ _ _ _ _ hundred years ago.
Syracuse is in _ _ _ _ __.
She believed in J _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ even
though this was a very difficult thing to
do in those days.
Many Christians were _ _ _ _ _ _
because they believed in Christ.
Her name means _ _ _ _ _.
In olden days, her _ _ _ _ _ day was
celebrated at the same time as the
winter _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, the shortest day of the _ _ _ _.
On her feast day, we remember that Christ is our _ _ _ _ _.
St Lucy’s Day is still _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in many parts of the world.
Her feast day is on _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 13th.
She is the patron Saint of people who are _ _ _ _ _.
Word Bank: blind, light, Syracuse, feast, killed, sixteen, Jesus Christ,
born, solstice, December, Syria, year, celebrated, light.
22
FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT
THEME: WONDER!
FOR THE TEACHER:
Nothing sums up the expectation of Christmas better than the word, wonder.
Children become engrossed in the story of Christmas; in the receiving of presents from Santa
Claus; they marvel at the Christmas lights and decorations in the towns and cities, on houses
and in homes. There can be different smells and sounds – baking and cooking, Christmas
Carols. As adults, a distinctive smell or sound can transport us back to our own childhood. As
the American writer Garrison Keillor puts it: “Childhood is the country we had to leave behind
and at Christmas we get to go back and try to speak our very first language.”
A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE
1: 39-44
A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. She
went into Zechariah’s home, where she greeted Elizabeth. When
Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby moved within her. The Holy
Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary:
God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the
child you will have. Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I
heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. The Lord has
blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise
CHATTING ABOUT THE GOSPEL
The Gospel tells the wonderful story of two cousins, Mary and
Elizabeth. Although she was getting ready for the birth of the baby
Jesus, Mary decided that the first thing she should do was to help her
cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was also getting ready for a special baby. He would be
John the Baptist and when he was older he would tell the people to prepare for Jesus.
He would also baptise Jesus in the river Jordan.
•
•
•
•
•
If you were visiting the house of someone who was getting ready for a
baby, what could you bring?
What do we bring when we visit our granny’s house?
What do we bring when we go to a friend’s house?
What are the ways we can be helpful at this time at home when there is a lot
of work to get ready for Christmas?
Apart from the presents, what are your favourite things about this time of
year?
23
SACRED SPACE
Place a small box wrapped in paper, representing the gifts that
Mary may have brought to Elizabeth in your Sacred Space. This
might be a small bauble or Christmas decoration; something
associated with a baby – a soother, an article of clothing, a bottle.
Think of something to represent John the Baptist - a baptismal
candle.
WORD JUMBLE
Unjumble the words below to find the message of John the Baptist
ERAPREP ERAPRE P S UJ U S
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
SI
GINCMO
_ _ _ _ _
WORD MAZE
A
P
B
N
W
E
P
Q
N
R
Z
Q
R
Y
I
L
M
A
R
Y
F
G
C
E
P
I
G
S
D
X
H
T
A
J
P
Z
L
O
J
H
J
R
Q
D
M
A
R
Y
E
F
K
J
P
Q
V
B
R
Q
S
G
J
O
H
N
L
E
L
E
U
O
P
Z
G
C
X
T
N
J
S
I
I
H
M
W
R
H
Y
T
U
O
Prepare
Elizabeth
Mary
24
Jesus
John
Advent
_ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
CAROL SERVICE
FOR THE TEACHER:
Each year of the Alive-O programme has lessons for Advent and Christmas. They are a
rich source of material that can be used both inside and outside the classroom as a
school community prepares for Christmas, e.g. music, artwork, readings, poems,
prayers, etc. The posters that accompany each of the year’s programmes, and which
include many of the scenes associated with Advent and Christmas, could be used to
decorate the school hall or the church where the carol service takes place. In Alive-O7
[T1, L12-14] the season of Advent is explored with specific material for each day of a
three week period. Some of the material in these lessons could be used for the school
community as a whole.
The Alive-O programme also has a number of specific Christmas Plays and Prayer
Services that you might like to look at as a source of material to celebrate the coming of
Christ at Christmas.
Alive-O 1 Christmas Play: A Time to Be Born
Teachers’ Book, p.247
Alive-O2 Christmas Play: Ready and Waiting
Teachers’ Book, p.261
Alive-O3 Christmas Play: The Moment We’ve
Been Waiting For
Teachers’ Book, p.347
Alive-O4 Christmas Play: The Magi Cantata
Teachers’ Book, p.434
Alive-O6 Christmas Prayer Service
Teachers’ Book, p.149
Alive-O7 Christmas Lessons: Waiting in Joyful Hope
Teachers’ Book, p.87
Alive-O 8 Nativity Play
Teacher’s Book, p.89
It is traditional in many primary schools to end the year with a Carol Service/
Christmas Concert. You’ll find here some resources that will help in organising a
Carol Service. In the Anglican (Church of Ireland) Tradition a Service of Nine Lessons
and Carols has been a time-honoured beginning to the Christmas season, by combining
some of the readings associated with the foretelling of the Christ Child, with some
traditional Christmas Carols. Nine lessons and carols would be a little too much for a
primary school, but the idea could work very well.
25
What follows is an outline of a short prayer service of readings and carols, which is
constructed using material entirely from the Alive-O programme. There is a rich
source of material there that is simple, age appropriate and prayerful. Two reading
options are given for most of the readings, depending on the audience, or if the prayer
service takes place in a Junior or a Senior Primary School. There are six sections, each
containing the following: an introduction, a reading/poem, a carol, and a prayer. Each
section is more or less related to a character associated with the Christmas story. The
carols are all from the Alive-O programme. Other traditional and familiar carols can
be used. If you have the Tapes/CDs for each of the Alive-O programmes, you can use
them to accompany the singing. Page references are given for all the material. It
finishes with prayers of intercession, a final prayer and blessing. The Prayer Service is
an ideal opportunity to invite your school chaplain to become involved, but it can also
be done should he be unable to attend.
PICTURE TO COLOUR
26
CAROL SERVICE
INTRODUCTION
We gather here today as a school to prepare for Christmas. We do that by listening to
the stories related to the coming of Jesus, by singing some Christmas carols and by
praying together. Advent is a time of waiting. Waiting is not something that we like
to do much, but when we wait patiently for something, it makes it all the nicer when
that thing comes: our birthday; our school holidays; a trip with our family; a present or
a prize. Many people in the Christmas story were people who waited. God had
always promised that he would send a Saviour and for many thousands of years the
people of Israel waited. Today we begin a little journey – it is a journey through the
stories of these people who waited and who then rejoiced when Jesus was born in
Bethlehem. We begin with the most important person in the story after Jesus – his
mother Mary.
THE ANNUNCIATION
READING:
One Moment (Alive-O3, p.133)/The Annunciation to Mary; ‘Who is the One
Who is Coming?’ (Alive-O5, p.113)/Advent Word (Alive-O7, p.99)/A Few
Little Moments (Alive-O7, p. 100)
CAROL:
Mary, Will You Take (Alive-O, p.114; Alive-O2, p.132; Alive-O3, p.140)
PRAYER:
God of love and mercy, help us to follow the example of Mary, who was
always ready to do your will. At the message of an angel, she welcomed
Jesus. Help us to learn from the example of Mary, our mother. We ask
this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
MARY & ELIZABETH
We now listen to the story of two cousins, Mary and Elizabeth. Mary was always a
person who thought of others. Even when she was busy getting ready for the birth of
Jesus, she was thinking about her cousin Elizabeth, who lived a good distance away
and who was also expecting a baby.
READING: Two Cousins (Alive-O2, p.109) / Poem Mary & Elizabeth (Alive-O2, p.112)
CAROL:
Away in a Manger (Alive-O2, p.131; Alive-O3, p.161; Alive-O6, p.153)
27
PRAYER:
God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Take away the
things that stop us from receiving Jesus with joy. We ask this prayer
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
JOHN THE BAPTIST/ISAIAH
The baby that Elizabeth was expecting was John the Baptist. It was he who told the
people about the coming of Jesus. The prophet Isaiah was a prophet who talked to
God’s chosen people at a time of great difficulty. The people were very sad and Isaiah
told them of the Saviour that God would send.
READING:
The People Who Walked in Darkness (Alive-O4, p.148)
John the Baptist (Alive-O5, p.125)/Waiting in Joyful Hope (Alive-O7, p.91)
CAROL:
Carol of the Journey (Alive-O, p.108; Alive-O2, p.124; Alive-O3, p.162)
Advent Hymn (Alive-O5, p.114)/Every Valley (Alive-O7, p.297)
PRAYER:
God our Father, you loved the world so much you gave your only Son.
Help us who wait for his coming and lead us to love you more. We ask
this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
BIRTH OF JESUS
We now listen to what happened on that first Christmas night, when all the characters
of the story come together. The Saviour that God would send his people would not
come with a great army, would not come and make everyone afraid, would not come
the way anyone expected. He would come as a baby born in a manger.
READING: The Waiting is Over (Alive-O, p.110)/Jesus is Born (Alive-O2, p.127)/The
Moment They’d All Been Waiting For (Alive-O3, p.153)/Christmas Story (Alive-O4, p.173)
Gospel according to St Luke (Alive-O6, p.145; p.146)/The Birth of Jesus (Alive-O7, p.103)
CAROL:
Silent Night/Oíche Chiúin (Alive-O4, p.176; Alive-O5, p.140;
Alive-O6, p.154-155)
28
PRAYER:
Lord our God, may we, your children who look forward to the birthday
of Jesus, experience all the joy that the celebration will bring. We ask this
prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE SHEPHERDS
The first people that met the baby Jesus were not the important people, not the
wealthy people, not the very clever people. The first people to meet the baby Jesus
were simple shepherds, who were minding their sheep on a mountain. This was
something that was important to Jesus right throughout his life, to meet people that
nobody cared about and to be their friend.
READING:
The Shepherds Prepare (Alive-O2, p.118)/Advent Word (Alive-O7, p.100)
Advent Reflection (Alive-O7, p.101)
CAROL:
Mary’s Lullaby (Alive-O4, p.175; Alive-O5, p.138)/O Little Town of
Bethlehem (Alive-O6, p.152)
PRAYER:
Lord, fill our hearts with your love, and as you revealed to us by an
angel the coming of your Son in the stable at Bethlehem, lift our hearts
and minds in watchful hope and open our ears to listen to your Word.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE WISE MEN
God had sent his people a Saviour, but this Saviour would not be just for God’s chosen
people. Jesus would be a Saviour for all people. The three wise men that came to give
their gifts to the baby represent that fact: the birth of Jesus wasn’t just an event in the
Holy Land – it was an event for the whole world.
READING:
The Kings Prepare (Alive-O2, p.120)/Watching, Waiting, Wondering
(Alive-O3, p.143)/ Poem Half Wise (Alive-O7, p.103)
CAROL:
Following a Star (Alive-O3, p.149; Alive-O4, p.152)
29
PRAYER:
Lord our God, help us to prepare for the coming of Jesus, your Son. May
he find us waiting and watching in prayer. We ask this prayer through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
INTRODUCTION:
God our Father, open our hearts and minds this Advent to the
greatness of the love you show for us by sending your Son, Jesus
Christ. We pray for your guiding light as we begin to prepare for
Christmas.
•
Help us to prepare for the coming of Jesus in our prayers at home, at school
and at mass. May God our Father show us how to live like Jesus. Lord, Hear
Us.
•
Let us give thanks for the past year: for the things we have learnt, for the
fun we have had, for the skills we have gained, for the help we have had,
and for the friends we have made. Lord, Hear Us.
•
Let us pray for our families, our friends and all who are with us during this
Advent. May we come to know the baby Jesus together. Lord, Hear Us.
•
Let us pray for children around the world for whom Christmas is not a time
of celebration. We remember children who are hungry, who are homeless
and who are sick. Lord, Hear Us.
•
Let us pray for the world: for an end to terrorism, for peace where there is
war, for healing where there is hurt, for food where there is hunger, for care
for the environment, and for respect for all human life. Lord, Hear Us.
•
Let us pray for those who are far away from home this Christmas. May
they feel close to Christ this Christmas. Lord, Hear Us.
•
Let us pray for ourselves and for the future: for a happy holiday time, for
safety for those who travel, for families and friends, for help and guidance
in the new school year, and for continuing growth in faith and hope and
love. Lord, Hear Us.
•
Let us pray for all who have died, especially those close to us whom we
remember and miss, that eternal peace may be theirs. Lord, Hear Us.
30
CONCLUSION:
Hear us, heavenly Father, as we offer our prayers to you – the prayers we have said,
and the silent prayers of our hearts. Help us, this Advent, to know you better. We ask
these and all our prayers through the power of Christ, who lives and reigns forever
and ever. Amen.
CAROL:
Joy to the World (Alive-O7, p.306)
CLOSING PRAYER
Lord, our God, we have travelled through the account of Christmas, through the
stories of those who were there and witnessed the happy events. Help us to learn
from them and from each other as we prepare for the great feast of Christmas. We ask
this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
LEADER:
May God give us light to guide us, courage to support us, and love to
unite us. Let us bless the Lord.
ALL:
Thanks be to God.
CAROL:
O Come All Ye Faithful (Alive-O7, p.307)
WRITE YOUR FAVOURITE CAROL ON THE BOOK
31
Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia,
Chuir tú Íosa chugainn.
Rugadh é lá Nollag,
Is é mo chara buan é.
32
CHRISTMAS BOOKMARKS
Below are some Christmas bookmarks that you can use yourself or as
presents for family and friends. Photocopy the bookmarks onto card or
coloured paper, cut them out, and decorate them. Use a hole-puncher to
make a hole near the top, and attach a ribbon or piece of string. You can
personalise the bookmarks by writing your own Christmas greeting or
message on the back.
33
SANTA
Join the dots and colour the picture!
34
CHRISTMAS AROUND
THE
WORLD
BRAZIL
POLAND
Many Brazilian people make a nativity
scene or Presépio. The word comes from
the Hebrew word "presepium" which
means the bed of straw upon which Jesus
first slept in Bethlehem.
Papai Noel (Father Christmas) brings the
gifts in Brazil. He lives in Greenland.
December is in the middle of summer in
Brazil and so Santa wears silk clothes to
help him stay cool.
Polish people often celebrate a special
supper called ‘Wigilia’ on Christmas Eve.
The celebration begins with a prayer,
followed by the breaking of the
Christmas wafer, called the ‘oplatek’, which
is shared among those present.
Wesołych Świąt
Bożego Narodzenia!
Feliz Natal
MEXICO
IRELAND
In Mexico, they have a special
celebration called ‘La Posada’.
Two children are chosen to
represent Mary and Joseph, and
they go from door to door to
look for a place to stay. When
they are finally let in, they have
a party and break a piñata!
Lighted candles are
placed in windows on
Christmas Eve, as a
sign of hospitality.
Feliz Navidad!
Nollaig Shona Duit!
It is also a symbolic
guide for Mary and
Joseph, who may be
looking for shelter.
CHINA
Christians in China celebrate by
decorating their houses with beautiful
paper lanterns and decorating their
Christmas trees, which they call ‘Trees of
Light’, with paper chains, paper flowers,
and paper lanterns.
Chinese Children hang muslin stockings
and await a visit from Santa Claus, whom
they call ‘Dun Che Lao Ren’.
圣诞快乐 新年快乐
(shèngdàn kuàilè xīnnián kuàilè)
Do any children in your class have a
Christmas tradition from the
country in which they or their
parents were born?
Make a chart of all the ways
Christmas is celebrated in your class
or even in your school!
Find out how others say
‘Happy Christmas’
in their native languages.
35
CELEBRATING THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS
JUNE 19TH, 2009 – JUNE 11TH, 2010
"Curé of Ars": Saint John Mary Vianney
Pope Benedict XVI has made this year a year to pray for
priests. He said that the reason for this was that 2009 was the
150th anniversary of the death of the patron of priests, St John
Marie Vianney. Pope Benedict said,
“I think of all those priests who quietly present Christ’s words and actions each day to the
faithful and to the whole world, striving to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their
will, their sentiments and their style of life. How can I not pay tribute to their apostolic labours,
their tireless and hidden service, their universal charity? And how can I not praise the
courageous fidelity of so many priests who, even amid difficulties and incomprehension, remain
faithful to their vocation as “friends of Christ”, whom he has called by name, chosen and sent?”
St John Marie Vianney was born in 1786 near the city of Lyons in France. He wasn’t a
very good student in school or when he was training for the priesthood, but he was
ordained to the priesthood in 1815 and was sent to a small parish called Ars. As a
result of popularity he became known as the Curé of Ars. Curé is the French word for
parish priest.
He became well known, not because he was rich or clever, but because people noticed
how much he prayed, how simply he lived and how reverent he was when he was
celebrating mass. He was told before he went to Ars that there wasn’t much faith
there. However, the Curé began to instruct people in the faith, began to teach them
about Jesus, and helped them to live their lives according to Christian values – by
loving God, and our neighbour. As a result of this, it was said that up to 20,000 people
a year came to him from every part of France to see him, to go to confession to him,
and to come to mass. He once talked about the difference between our private prayers
and the prayers that we say when we come to mass:
“Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there: If you set it on fire it makes a lot of little
flames. But gather these straws into a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising
like a column into the sky; public prayer is like that.”
St John Marie Vianney lived and worked in Ars until he was 73 years of age. He
worked hard in his parish and with all the people who came to see him and to hear
36
him preach. He continued to live a simple life and he died peacefully on August 4th
1859. His feast is celebrated on that day.
Like Pope Benedict said, the Year of Prayer for Priests is an opportunity to pray for
priests, both those we know in our own parish and those who are working in difficult
situations and ministries throughout the world.
SUGGESTIONS:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ask the school chaplain or the local priest to come and talk about his ministry
Contact “Children Helping Children” http://www.childrenhelpingchildren.ie/
about the possibility of a missionary priest coming to your school to talk
about his work.
Organise a tour of the church to talk about what a priest does there.
Pray a prayer for the priests in your parish during the morning prayers at school
Pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and the religious life.
Look at the sections in the Alive-O programme on priesthood (Alive-O8
Term 1, Lesson 12, p.85) and the sections of the video/DVD relating to
priesthood.
PRAYER
God our Father,
We pray for Fr. ______________
Help him to be a good and holy priest.
Guide him in the work that he does
in our school and in our parish.
Help him to know
that it is through your love and guidance
that he will accomplish all that is asked of him.
Bless his family and all who minister with him.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen
Make a Christmas Card for your priest/s
You can celebrate the year for priests by making a Christmas card for your priest. Just
photocopy the next page onto card or coloured paper, and cut it out. Fold it over in
the middle and write a message for your priest on the inside. Remind your priest that
you are praying for him during this special year, and thank him for being your priest.
37
38
FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
JANUARY 6TH
Use the key below to help you to tell the story of the Epiphany.
Jesus
At
the
Wise Men
time
The
Star
was
knew
that
born,
the
three
would
saw
a
them
to
. When
the
lead
new
king,
so
the
came
to
Jerusalem,
they
asked
where
to
find
told
the
to
go
to
king,
.
the
followed
Crown
the
new
king
would
be
born,
but
didn't
want
a
new
king
to
told
the
to
come
.
didn't
want
new
Bethlehem where
worry.
take
his
place,
so
back
and
tell
him
about
to
be
more
powerful
than
he.
they
knelt
down
and
offered
their
gifts
to
him.
That
night,
God
spoke
to
the
a
dream
and
told
them
not
to
return
to
home another
the
to
the
went
,
a
began
When
the
found
.
in
.
So
way.
39
LOOKING
FOR
MORE?
Below are the addresses of some websites where you can find more
Advent and Christmas resources. Good Luck!
www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/index.html
www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/teacher/
christmas.html
Resources to help you make a Jesse Tree and
printable symbols are available from:
Two sites full of lots of Christmas activities
for children including colouring pages,
crafts, games, puzzles, poems, prayers,
songs, worksheets and much more!
http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=1628
http://www.catholicmom.com/lesson_plan.advent.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/topic/51327/jesse_tree
http://www.associatedcontent.com/topic/105509/adventwreath
Word Searches & Crossword puzzles for middle and senior classes:
www.puzzle-club.com/christmas-word-search-carols.html
Christmas carols word search
http://www.rscm-bristol-swindon.co.uk/words/advent%20word%20search.pdf
Advent word search
http://www.churchyear.net/adventpuzzint.
An interactive, on-line Advent crossword for Senior Classes
http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/nativityprint_9
A combination of word searches, crosswords, colouring pictures etc with different
levels of difficulty
www.topmarks.co.uk/christianity/nativity/index.htm
An ever-popular, interactive telling
of the Nativity Story for junior classes.
Perfect for use on interactive whiteboards,
or individual computers
http://www.carols.org.uk/
A website containing the words and music of
the most popular Christmas carols. Read the
words and sing along as the music plays!
Great for senior classes! Perfect for use either
on interactive whiteboards or individual
computers
For teacher:
Check out www.sacredspace.ie for a daily
prayer for Advent
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