Current Liturgical Season: Advent

Advent is a time for waiting - a time of watching - a time to hope.
It might seem strange at first that we designate Advent as the time that we begin our liturgical year - and the lessons at the start of Advent talk about things of the end. That is because Advent is not only a time to remember Christ's first coming as Christmas, but also a time to look forward to Christ's second coming at the end of the world.
During the four weeks of Advent, we take time to reflect on:

how Jesus was the Messiah promised by God to God's people and was foretold by the prophets
how the coming of the Messiah came to pass in the birth of Jesus, born of Mary in Bethlehem
how Christ, the Prince of Peace, will come at the end of time to be the ruler over the promised reign of God.
how we live out this mystery of faith each time we pray, "Your kingdom come, you will be done."

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot gather as a group until conditions are safe from the real possiblity of community spread. As we enter the holiday season, we are given the opportunity to give thanks to God and our express hopes for the future by making TIME to grow more deeply in our faith.

Scroll down this page to the current Sunday to find resources and suggestions for each week. Since you know your family's needs better than anyone, you will be able to use these resources and suggestions in ways uniquely appropriate to your family.

Click on the link for the appropriate Sunday

A Special Family Activity - The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath, or Advent crown, is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar. It is traditionally a Lutheran practice, although it has spread to many other Christian denominations. Even though we often see the Advent wreath in church, it is meant primarily to be a home devotion. You may want to watch the brief video below (First Sunday in Advent) as Brother Francis explains the Advent Wreath.
The Advent wreath is an evergreen wreath with four candles, sometimes with a fifth, white candle in the center. Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading, devotional time and prayers. An additional candle is lit on each subsequent Sunday until, by the last Sunday of Advent, all four candles are lit. Some Advent wreaths include a fifth, Christ candle which is lit at Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Each candle has a meaning:

HOPE: On the First Sunday in Advent, we light the first purple candle to celebrate HOPE. This is also called the “Prophet’s Candle,” and it represents the hope we have because Jesus is coming.
FAITH: The Second Sunday in Advent is marked with the second purple candle, which symbolizes FAITH. This is also called the “Bethlehem Candle,” and with it we remember Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
JOY: On the Third Sunday in Advent, we light the pink candle, which represents JOY. This is also called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and we are reminded of the joy the world experienced when Jesus was born in human flesh.
PEACE: On the Fourth Sunday in Advent, we light the final purple candle as we celebrate PEACE. This is called the “Angel’s Candle,” and it reminds us of the message the angels sang: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men!”
PURITY: If your Advent wreath includes a Christ candle, you light it on Christmas Day. This candle is usually white to symbolize purity.

To make an advent wreath at home, you can explore the internet for many different options, some simple, some more complex. Choose whatever works best in your family as something you can all do together! For the weekly celebration, you can download files with readings and prayers for use with your family below. Choose the one that works best for your family. Here is one sample: Click Here

prayers_for_advent_wreath_family_devotions_-_1.pdf
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prayers_for_advent_wreath_family_devotions_-_2.pdf
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The First Sunday in Advent - NOVEMBER 29

In the collect for this day, we pray, "Give us grace to cast away the works of darkness." We look for ways to do this with God's help in the way we live and the things we do (or don't do) that are part of God's plan to bring the kingdom not only into our personal lives but also into the life of the world in which we live. The day will come when God's wisdom and God's presence will be seen clearly and fully. It will be a time of tremendous hope and promise, but it will also be a time of judgment. God's people must always live in readiness for that great day to come.

REAdings for this sunday

godly Play Online

The readings appointed for The First Sunday in Advent are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

Jeremiah 33:14-16

The Lord will fulfill his promises to Israel and Judah.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to be holy and to please God.

Luke 21:25-36

Jesus teaches his disciples to be vigilant so that they will be ready when the Son of Man comes in glory.

Resource corner

"Brother Francis" introduces children to the ideas of Advent in this brief video (4 min.). He includes Advent as a time of expectation and waiting and the Advent wreath.

During the season of Advent, we celebrate the coming of Christ. We think back to His birth in Bethlehem, but we also look forward to His Second Coming one day.

This message encourages children to consider things that they might have to wait for. Great things are worth the wait, and sometimes we can increase patience by doing other things to pass time. In the same way, Jesus is well worth the wait, and while we look forward to His coming, we live in His presence and serve Him in all we do.

Family Activity
In today's Gospel, Jesus warns his disciples against the fatigue that can emerge if one becomes consumed by the anxieties of daily life. Many families are too familiar with the kind of fatigue Jesus refers to here. We may be concerned about a family member's health, our job security, our children's education, or any number of other concerns. All these are important matters. Jesus does not promise an end to daily worries and fears, but he does teach his disciples that they will have the strength to withstand anxiety if they stay focused on him, remaining vigilant for his return and praying for strength to endure all tribulations. Through prayer, God helps us stay focused on that which is most important in our lives.

As you gather as a family:

Recall the tradition of making New Year's resolutions in preparation for the new calendar year.
Observe that today is the first Sunday of Advent, which is the beginning of the new Church year. During the season of Advent, our Gospel readings ask us to consider what is most important to us as we prepare for Jesus' coming, at his birth and at the end of time.
Read today's Gospel, Luke 21:25-36. Jesus describes signs that may disturb many people, but he says that these should not to disturb his disciples. Why? (because these signs indicate that redemption is near) What does Jesus say that his disciples should do? (Be vigilant and pray for strength.)
At this start of the new Church year, consider as a family what “Advent resolutions” your family might make to help you stay focused so that you will be prepared to receive the salvation we celebrate at Jesus' birth and anticipate at Jesus' second coming. Pray together for God's help in following through on these resolutions.
Pray together today's psalm, Psalm 25:1-9.

Facebook discussion group
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at youth@stlukeslebanon.org

The Core Story
We are beginning a new Church Year. The color on the Circle of the Church Year changes too. And we begin our journey to Bethlehem. It will take four weeks to prepare for the Mystery of Christmas. This week we find out what the prophets said.

In this Godly Play lesson, Michaelanne Helms teaches us about the season of Advent.

Activity Corner

Grades 1, 2, and 3

Younger children are learning new ways to cope with challenges, including naming their feelings and talking about their experiences. We can support children by teaching them that God listens to their prayers and is with them in good times and hard times.

Prepare for Sunday Lessons

Ask: Who here has ever had a hard day? Pause for children to repond. Say: Yes, we all have good days and hard days, don’t we? What did you do to help you through your hard day? (Accept reasonable responses, such as “talked to a friend/family member, got a hug, prayed.”)
Say: In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us about the things that will happen when he comes again. Some people will be afraid. But Jesus tells us we don’t need to be afraid.
Read today’s Gospel, Luke 21:25–28 34–36.
Say: Jesus tells his disciples that they can stand tall because he loves them and has saved them. We can trust Jesus. He loves us and is with us, no matter what kind of day we are having. We can tell God about our day and our feelings in our prayer. He always listens to us. He gives us strength and courage to get through hard days.
Conclude in prayer together thanking God for loving us and giving us strength and courage in good times and hard times. Make the Sign of the Cross with the children.

Grades 4, 5, and 6
Older children are beginning to awaken to the wider world around them. We can help them navigate this exciting but sometimes overwhelming time by teaching them that prayer helps us stay focused on the things that are most important to us.

Materials Needed
A picture that needs to be viewed with 3-D glasses or a message that can only be decoded by using colored cellophane
Prepare for Sunday Lessons

Show the children the picture that needs to be viewed with 3-D glasses or the message that can only be decoded by using colored cellophane. Allow the children to look at the images with and without the glasses or cellophane.
Say: As we grow up, we learn about things that are happening in peoples' lives and in our world. As we look at these things, sometimes we find it difficult to understand what is happening around us. It might seem like we don't have the right “glasses” to see things clearly.
Say: In today's Gospel, Jesus predicts things that will happen at the end of time when he comes again in glory. He says that many people will not understand these things, and they will be frightened. But Jesus tells his disciples that they should not be frightened, and he tells them what they should do so that they will be able to see these things clearly. Let's listen carefully to this Gospel so that we can learn what we must do to see the events in our lives and our world more clearly.

(Grades 4, 5, and 6 continued)

Invite one or more volunteers to read today's Gospel, Luke 21:25-36.
Ask: Why does Jesus say that his disciples shouldn't be frightened by the signs he describes? (because these signs indicate that redemption is near) What does Jesus say that his disciples should do to prepare for these times? (Be vigilant and pray for strength to endure.)
Say: We don't need to be fearful about difficult things in our lives either. We can bring these things to God in our prayer, and God will help us see things clearly and give us the strength to face everything and anything that might happen in our lives.
Conclude in prayer together asking God to help us see our lives and our world clearly through prayer. Invite everyone to express their confidence and trust in God by praying the Lord's Prayer.

The Second Sunday in Advent - December 5

John the Baptist is one of the Bible's most interesting characters. In today's gospel lesson, we meet him "for the first time." What is John were to appear with us in Church one Sunday? Could someone (perhaps dressed so outrageously) suddenly appear and interrupt the sermon with calls "to prepare the way of the Lord" while sprinkling the congregation with water? What kind of reaction would you have? or would you expect the people of the parish to have? What kind of discussion would we have in real time to bring John's message of 2000 years ago and make it apply to our world today? What does the repentance that John preaches mean in the year 2020?

Readings for this Sunday

The readings for The Second Sunday in Advent are:
(Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)

Malachi 3:1-4

Jerusalem shall see the splendor of God's glory.

Philippians 1:3-11

Paul prays for his friends in Philippi, a church that he founded.

Luke 3:1-6

John preaches repentance and baptizes in the region of the Jordan.

RESOURCE Corner

Here is an explanation of who John the Baptist was and what he came to do.

How do we receive information? Is the news good, or frustrating? In this message, discuss who John the Baptist was and the message of hope he came to share. Encourage students to receive this good news and to tell others about the joy of Jesus.
John the Baptist is a key figure in the Bible, not only for His place as baptizer of Christ. The New Testament prophet brought the blessed news of Christ’s coming, announcing the Messiah and preparing the way for Him. This video hopes to communicate to kids that, while there is a lot of negative news emphasized, we know the greatest news of all. The Gospel is, by definition, good news, and we should share it with those around us!

The Feast of St. Nicholas
This Sunday, December 6th, is also the Feast of St. Nicholas. We often equate St. Nicholas with our modern rendition of Santa Claus. The modern version is pretty far away from the original "St. Nick." Here are some resources you can use with children to explore the origins of Santa Claus in the life of St. Nicholas.

Here are two links to information about St. Nicholas, from the St. Nicholas Center.
Who Is St. Nicholas?
and
St. Nicholas and the Origins of Santa Claus

Here is a two part video explanation as well.

Godly Play - Online!

Core Story

The Second Sunday in Advent. It is a time for us to prepare for Christmas, not unlike the prophets, we encourage God's people to wait for the coming of the Messiah. Here is the "beginning of the good news" - the prelude to the Christmas story.

Activity Corner

Family Activity

The season of Advent invites us to renew our lives in preparation for the coming of Jesus. The people who heard the message of John the Baptist repented for their sins and were baptized as a sign of God’s forgiveness. In Baptism, our sins are forgiven, and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our life of discipleship. Led by the Holy Spirit, we use this Advent season to renew our lives so that we, like John the Baptist, might prepare the way for Jesus.

As you gather together as a family, talk about ways in which the example of others has called you to be a follower of Jesus. Name the people who have been examples to you of Christian discipleship and describe their characteristics that you have tried to emulate. Read together today’s Gospel, Luke 3:1-6.

As John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, Baptism commissions us to prepare the way of the Lord. The gift of the Holy Spirit leads us to continually renew our lives so that we might lead others to Jesus. As a family, identify at least one action that you will take this week to try to be more faithful followers of Jesus. Conclude in prayer together that God will receive this action and use it to lead others to Jesus. Pray the Prayer to the Holy Spirit:

Lord, send forth your Spirit
And kindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.

Lord,
by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Grades 1, 2, and 3
As younger children become less self-focused, they learn to make good choices that are considerate of others. During the season of Advent, we hear the message of John the Baptist calling us to make good choices to prepare the way of the Lord.

Materials Needed

crayons in different colors (at least one per child), sheets of paper

Prepare for the Sunday Lessons

Display the crayons and paper. Invite children to come up to get a sheet of paper and choose a crayon.
Say: I see you’ve all chosen a color. We make lots of choices in our lives, don’t we? God asks us to make good choices that help us be friends to others. What are some good choices we can make to be a friend to others? (Accept reasonable responses, including sharing what we have, taking care of one another’s things, saying kind words, saying sorry if we hurt someone’s feelings.)
Say: During Advent, we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth. We do this by making good choices. When we make a poor choice, we can choose to turn back to God and ask for forgiveness. Today we will hear about John the Baptist preparing the way for the Lord. Let’s listen.
Read today’s Gospel, Luke 3:1-6.
Say: We can prepare the way for the Lord by making good choices this Advent season. This way, we will have peaceful hearts. We’ll be ready to welcome Jesus when he comes.
Take a few minutes to draw a picture of a good choice you will make to be a friend to others this Advent season. If you need another color, ask if you can swap crayons with another child. Give children time to draw and talk about their pictures. Then say: Let’s pray for God’s help making good choices as we prepare to welcome Jesus.
Pray together that we will make good choices and tell God we are sorry for our poor choices. Share a sign of peace with one another.

Grades 4, 5, and 6
Older children are learning that their choices have consequences, for good and for ill. During the season of Advent, we hear the message of John the Baptist calling us to repent and to make choices that will prepare the way of the Lord.

Materials Needed

A set of dominoes

Prepare for the Sunday Lessons

Set up a series of dominoes in the shape of a Y so that when you push the first domino, it initiates a chain reaction causing the other dominoes to fall.
Show the young people your domino setup.
Ask: What will happen if I push over this first domino? (It will cause the other dominoes to fall.) What will happen if I don't push this first domino? (Nothing; the other dominoes won't fall.)
Say: What do you think I should do? Do what the majority of students want you to do.
Say: Each of our choices has consequences. Notice how pushing this first domino caused the others dominoes to fall. Sometimes our choice to do one thing leads us to other choices that we didn't see at first.
Say: In today's Gospel, we hear about the appearance of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus. Let's listen carefully to this Gospel to see what choices this Gospel invites us to make.
Invite one or more volunteers to read today's Gospel, Luke 3:1-6.
Ask: What choice did John the Baptist make? (He chose to prepare the way of the Lord.) What choice did John the Baptist want others to make? (to repent and be baptized; to change their lives; to prepare the way of the Lord)
Say: John's choice to prepare the way of the Lord started what might be described as a chain reaction, as others also chose to prepare the way of the Lord through their baptism and repentance.
Say: We can also be people who prepare the way of the Lord through our good choices and by our repentance when we fail to make good choices. The season of Advent is a time when we focus on making good choices so that we have made ourselves ready to receive Jesus when he comes.
Pray together that we will be people whose good choices help prepare the way of the Lord and invite others to do the same.
Pray together the Confession of Sin from the Book of Common Prayer, p. 360).

The Third sunday in Advent - December 12

The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” This name is taken from the ancient entrance antiphon for Sunday's Eucharist, which is also echoed in today's second reading from the Paul's letter to the Philippians. Some people mark this Sunday by lighting a pink candle instead of a purple one on their Advent wreath. It is a reminder that the Advent season is a season of joy because our salvation is already at hand.

Readings for this Sunday

Godly Play Online!

The readings for The Third Sunday in Advent are:
(Click here for the text of this Sunday's readings.)

First Reading

Zephaniah 3:14-18a
A savior is promised to Israel.

Responsorial Psalm

Isaiah 12:2-3,4,5-6
A song of praise to God our savior

Second Reading

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice always because the Lord is near.

Gospel Reading

Luke 3:10-18
John the Baptist teaches the path of repentance and announces Christ.

Resource Corner

This video summarizes the ministry of John the Baptist in simple terms.

God had two jobs for John the Baptist: one was to get people ready to hear the good news of Jesus; and, the second was to identify Jesus when he arrived. Here is an animated telling of the story and a portion that sets the context.

Activity Corner

Family Activity
The theme of the season of Advent is sometimes described as a period of waiting for the birth of Jesus. However, today's Gospel reading suggests something different. John the Baptist did not tell the crowds to wait for the Messiah. He told them to prepare for the Messiah through acts of repentance.

If Advent is a time of waiting, it is not the sitting in the doctor's office kind of waiting. It is a busy time of preparation, more like the waiting we might do when preparing for dinner guests. Our challenge is to not make this season a frenzied time, but rather a time of joyful anticipation and making ready for God who comes to dwell among us and changes our lives with the gift of salvation.
As you gather as a family

Talk about the preparations your family is making during the season of Advent.
Reflect together on these activities, not only on what you are doing but why you are choosing to do these things.
Read together today's Gospel, Luke 3:10-18.
Consider how Advent is a time for making ourselves ready to receive Jesus in our lives.
Discuss how your family could make some changes in your Advent activities so that each person is well prepared to celebrate the gift of salvation at Christmas?

Conclude in prayer together that your family will be able to live the spirit of Advent.

Sing together an Advent song, such as “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” or pray together today's second reading, Philippians 4:4-7, as you light the third candle on your Advent wreath.

Core Story

The Third Sunday in Advent. Getting ready for the Mystery of Christmas is a serious time. But even in the middle of a serious time, we take a moment to celebrate. This week we hear the story of the shepherds and their surprising visitors. What will happen next?

Putting faith into practice
(Use examples from everyday life to teach a vital truth about the faith. They don't need to be structured into a lesson plan but are part of how we live out our faith.)

John the Baptist - John was a forerunner - a term which designates someone to go ahead of someone to prepare the way for them. Today, important and famous people have "advance teams" that go ahead of them to make all the preparations, to gather a crowd, to make things safe for the celebrity. That was John's job from God - to prepare the way for Jesus so that people would know who he was and what he came to do.
Baptism with the Holy Spirit. John baptized with water. This was a sign of repentance - that people wanted to express their sorrow for having done something wrong or failed to do what was right. Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit. This was more than just seeking forgiveness and getting right with God. The baptism of the Holy Spirit gives to us certain spiritual gifts that empower us to follow Jesus and to accomplish what Jesus gives us to do.
Jubilee. The law of Moses required that every fifty years, all debts were to be forgiven, that all prisoners (debtors) would be set free, that all property would be restored to its rightful owners. This was a massive "reset" among God's people - where everyone was equal again and everyone had a chance. This is a vision of the perfect kingdom of God for which we strive ("the day of the Lord") when God is king over all the earth.

Grades 1, 2, and 3
Younger children may struggle to be patient when they have to wait. You can support them by teaching them about the joyful and active waiting we do as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Materials Needed

Advent wreath, with battery-operated candles if possible

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Display the Advent wreath. Ask: Who knows what this is? (Advent wreath) Say: This is the third Sunday of Advent. We light three candles on the third Sunday, two violet candles and the rose candle. If you have battery-operated candles, invite volunteers to come up and “light” the three candles. We need to wait to light the fourth candle. Ask: When do we light it? (in a week, next Sunday) Say: Sometimes it can be hard to wait. Imagine if we just sat here all week waiting to light the candle. That would not be fun! But waiting can be joyful.
Say: The season of Advent is a time of joyful waiting as we prepare to welcome Jesus. As we light another candle on the Advent wreath, we remember that Christmas is getting closer. In today’s Gospel, we hear John the Baptist tell the crowd that there are things they can do to prepare as they wait for Jesus.
Read today’s Gospel, Luke 3:10–18.
Say: John the Baptist tells the crowd to share what they have and make other good choices to prepare for Jesus. There are things we can do during Advent to prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth. We can pray. We can help our families. We can share. What is something you can do this week to prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth? (Accept reasonable responses.)
Conclude in prayer together thanking God for the gift of his Son, Jesus, and telling him you will wait joyfully to celebrate his birth. Pray the Sign of the Cross.

Grades 4, 5, and 6
Older children still struggle with patience as they experience the need to wait for things in their lives. We can help them understand that some situations require a different kind of waiting than others. During Advent, we prepare the way of the Lord with an active waiting.
Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Say: Often we have occasions that require us to wait for someone or something. But these experiences can be very different. Let's think about this. Ask the young people to compare the following situations: How does waiting for an appointment at a doctor's office compare with waiting for a visit from a friend? To help us consider this question, let's think about the following: How might you feel in each situation? (You are probably looking forward to your friend's visit. You may or may not be looking forward to the doctor's appointment.) What might you be doing while you wait? (At the doctor's office, you might not do anything in particular, or you might read to pass the time. While waiting for your friend, you might be getting things ready.) Both situations require us to wait, but how might we summarize how these two situations are different? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Say: Advent is the season in the Church year that focuses on the experience of waiting. We think about how the Israelites waited for the Messiah. We think about how we wait for Jesus to come again in glory. In today's Gospel, we get some clues about what kind of waiting experience this is to be.
Invite one or more volunteers to read today's Gospel, Luke 3:10-18.
Ask: Which groups question John? (the crowds, the tax collectors, the soldiers) How does John respond to each of these? (To the crowds, he says share what you have with others. To the tax collectors, he says be just. To the soldiers, he says be fair.) John teaches that there are things people must do to prepare for the Lord.
Ask: Which kind of waiting experience is more like Advent— waiting for a doctor's appointment or waiting for a friend's visit? (waiting for a friend's visit) Why? (It is something we look forward to; there are things we are supposed to do during this time of waiting.)
Say: Advent is a time of active waiting as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth and await his coming in glory. What are some things you might do during Advent to prepare for the Lord? (Accept all reasonable answers.) Suggest that each person choose one thing to do during Advent to prepare the way of the Lord.
Conclude in prayer together asking God to help make and follow through on our commitment to prepare the way of the Lord during Advent. Sing together “Prepare the Way of the Lord” or pray the Lord's Prayer.

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The Fourth Sunday in Advent - December 19

The story of the Annunciation calls to our attention God’s wondrous action in human history. God chose a human person to give birth to his Son so that all humanity would know God’s salvation. Mary, already full of God’s grace, was able to cooperate in this great plan for our salvation. Thus Jesus was born as one of us, fully human and also fully divine. This is the mystery we prepare to celebrate at Christmas, the mystery of the Incarnation. In the model of Mary, we pray that we will be people of faith who recognize God’s saving plan for us and are able respond with obedience.

Readings for this Sunday

The readings for The Fourth Sunday in Advent are:
(Click here for the text of the readings from this Sunday.)

Micah 5:1-4

The ruler of Israel is promised to come from Bethlehem.

Hebrews 10:5-10

Through his obedience to God's will, Christ consecrated all.

Luke 1:39-45

Mary visits Elizabeth, who sings praise to Mary and her child

Godly Play online!

Core Story
This week our Advent series on the mystery of Christmas concludes with the story of the magi.

Resource Corner

The video below retells the story of the Visitation, the story within today's gospel lesson.

Family Activity

In the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth described in today's Gospel, we learn that other people can help us recognize God's presence and action in our lives. Mary traveled to see Elizabeth because Elizabeth's pregnancy was a sign that everything the angel told Mary would truly happen. Elizabeth recognized Mary as the mother of her Lord because her unborn child, John the Baptist, leapt at the sound of Mary's greeting. Elizabeth and Mary rejoiced together at the wonderful things God was doing in their lives. We too are blessed when we have people who help us recognize God's action in our lives. We pray that our family can be this for one another.
As you gather as a family, work together on a word search or hidden-picture puzzle. Help one another until everyone has found each of the words or pictures in the puzzle. Talk about this experience, noticing how some people found words or pictures more easily than others and how easy it was to see the word or picture once someone else pointed it out.

Observe that sometimes we need the help of others to recognize God's presence and action in our lives. Read together today's Gospel, Luke 1:39-45. Ask: What did Elizabeth recognize about Mary? (that she was to be the mother of Jesus, the Lord) How did Elizabeth know this? (Her baby, John the Baptist, leapt with joy at Mary's greeting) Pray together that as we share our faith together as a family, we may help one another recognize God's presence and action in our lives.

Children's Activities
Grades 1, 2, and 3
Younger children are learning about trusting others and being trustworthy. Hearing how others trust God can support them in learning to trust God. Mary and Elizabeth both trusted in God’s promise that Mary would become the mother of Jesus.

Materials Needed

Ball (large and soft enough for young children to handle)

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Say: Let’s play a game called Trust. We can trust someone when they tell the truth and keep their promises. I’m going to throw the ball to [name a child]. Gently toss the ball to that child. Did I tell the truth and keep my promise? (Yes.) Turn to the child with the ball. Say: Now it’s your turn. Tell us whom you will throw the ball to. As each child throws the ball to the person he or she has named, ask: Did [child] tell the truth? or say: We can trust [child]. She kept her promise!
Say: Today’s Gospel reading is about two women who trusted God. One of them is Mary. Ask: Who is Mary? (Jesus’ mother) Say: Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of his Son, Jesus. Ask: What did Mary say when God asked her to be Jesus’ mother? (Yes.) Say: Mary trusted God. After she said yes to God, she went to visit Elizabeth. Let’s hear about their visit.
Read today’s Gospel, Luke 1:39–45.
Say: Elizabeth was so happy! She trusted God. She knew Mary was going to be Jesus’ mother. Ask: What did Elizabeth call Mary? (blessed) Say: Mary was blessed because she was going to be Jesus’ mother. Mary trusted God and said yes to God. God took care of Mary, and he takes care of us. We can trust in God’s promises, just as Mary did.
Pray together, telling God that you trust in his promises, just as Mary did.

Grades 4, 5, and 6
One way that older children learn to trust God is by witnessing the ways others in their lives trust God. In the story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth, we find an opportunity to observe ways in which people show their trust that God's promises will be fulfilled.
Materials Needed

Beanbag

Preparation for Sunday Scripture Readings

Say: You know that Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. We will understand today's Gospel better if we take some time to remember the story about how Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. Let's work together to tell this story.
Pass a beanbag among the children. Tell them that when they have the beanbag, they can offer one sentence telling how Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. Help as needed until the story of the Annunciation is told (Luke 1:26-38).
Say: Mary trusted that God's promises to her would be fulfilled. Today's Gospel tells the story of what Mary did next. Let's listen carefully to this Gospel.
Invite one or more volunteers to read today's Gospel, Luke 1:39-45.
Ask: What did Elizabeth call Mary? (blessed) Why do you think that Elizabeth called Mary blessed? (because she was to be the mother of Jesus; because Mary trusted God and said yes when God asked her to be the mother of his Son, Jesus) Say: There is another word that we use to call someone blessed; that word is happy.
Ask: Are there people in your life who trust God? Who are they? How do you know that they trust God? (Accept all reasonable answers.) We can be happy like Mary if we trust that God is always taking care of us.
Pray together that Mary will help us trust in God's promises as she did.