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This Sunday is the First Sunday of Advent. Advent is a time of joyful anticipation. We might take a cue from the young children in our lives. Their joyful anticipation of Christmas is intense, almost palpable. Their understanding of the passage of time is still developing, so this time of Advent waiting can seem as if it will never end. Yet they know that something wonderful is at the end of the wait—Christmas and all its delights.
As we prepare for Christmas during these days of Advent waiting, we also look ahead to the unknown day of Christ’s return in glory. Like the children, we know that something wonderful is coming at the end of our wait. Advent reminds us to consider how well we are preparing to meet our Lord face to face.
Every week in the GROW newsletter, you will find helpful tips for teaching your Gospel Weeklies lesson, a reflection on the Sunday Gospel, and links to online resources.
Videos of Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 21:25–28, 34–36)
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview to make sure the videos are appropriate for your group:
• Holy Heroes
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
• Every Day Can Be a Sunday
Advent Videos
• A Journey Through Advent
• Liturgical Calendar: Saints and Seasons with Shannon
• Advent in 2 Minutes
• What Is an Advent Wreath?
• Find the Perfect Gift
Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope Resources
• Jubilee 2025 activities, handouts, resources, and more
Seeds
Lesson Theme: We wait for Jesus to come.
Starting this week, and during the four weeks of Advent, we suggest you have an Advent wreath in your prayer space with four candles (preferably three violet and one rose). The Teaching Guide incorporates the use of a wreath during the Gathering Prayer as a way to count down the weeks until the celebration of Christmas. You could bring a wreath with battery-operated candles in case your parish or diocese doesn’t approve of the use of real candles in the building.
For this lesson you will need scissors, pencils or crayons, and a Church Year calendar. We suggest you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance and assemble your own Advent wreath from pages 3–4.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole (Bible Bag)
• Advent Wreath
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus is coming! We get ready.
For this lesson, be prepared with scissors, crayons, tape, pencils, and copies of the story coloring page (one per child). We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 and put together one Advent Table Prayer in advance. You may wish to engage the assistance of an aide or aides to help with the Table Prayer activity.
We also recommend preparing an Advent wreath to share with your class for the weeks of Advent waiting. It can be simple (made with paper rolls and colored paper) or elaborate (real or battery-operated candles and live greenery). The key elements are a ring of green (the circle and evergreen remind us of God’s endless love and faithfulness) and four candles (usually three violet and one rose). Since many school and parish buildings do not allow candles to be lit, you may need to be creative with how you will “light” the candles.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole (Bible Bag)
• Advent Wreath
Good News
Lesson Theme: We trust God’s promises.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, crayons, a Bible, and a Responsorial Psalm used in your parish. You may find a recording of the sung psalm and response online. Contact a music minister in your parish to help you find a recording of one to share or, if they’re available, to come to your classroom to lead your class in praying the Responsorial Psalm.
We also recommend preparing an Advent wreath to share with your class for the weeks of Advent waiting. It can be simple (made with paper rolls and colored paper) or elaborate (real or battery-operated candles and live greenery). The key elements are a ring of green (the circle and evergreen remind us of God’s endless love and faithfulness) and four candles (usually three violet and one rose). Since many school and parish buildings do not allow candles to be lit, you may need to be creative with how you will “light” the candles.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Advent Wreath
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
Venture
Lesson Theme: God promises to save us.
For this lesson, you will need pens or pencils, scissors, and an Advent wreath or materials to create one.
This Sunday marks the start of a new year and a new season in the Church. This is the first Sunday of Advent, the time during which we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Encourage the children to post the calendar (on the Venture cover) in their homes and complete the daily activities. Ask: How will you give the gift of yourself during this special time? Every week during Advent, you will gather the children for prayer around the Advent wreath.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
• Find the Perfect Gift
Visions
Lesson Theme: God is always near.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, scissors, markers or colored pencil, and an Advent wreath.
Direct the students’ attention to the bottom band (now violet) on the cover of this week’s lesson. This Sunday marks the start of a new year and a new period in the Liturgical Year. Make sure to hang on to your copy of this week’s cover; it lists the opening prayer for each class during Advent. If you have not yet established a regular prayer space and time in your class, Advent is an ideal time to begin as we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Familiarize your students with the calendar on page 5 in the lesson; refer to the calendar on page 65 in their handbooks regularly.
Note: Pay attention to the swastika in this week’s graphic story. There is an explanation of this symbol and resources about it in the Teaching Guide (page TG2-14).
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
• Find the Perfect Gift
• Blessed (Soon to Be Saint) Charles de Foucauld
• Prayer of Abandonment
Image credit: © 2020 by Jon P. McKamey
