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This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent. We call this Sunday Gaudete, which means “Rejoice!” in Latin. Gaudete is also the first word in the entrance antiphon for Sunday’s Mass: Gaudete in domino semper, which means “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near” (Philippians 4:4–5).
When talking about Gaudete Sunday, Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa says that Saint Paul writes that Christians should “rejoice in hope” (Romans 12:12), be joyful today, be joyful for the wait. Cardinal Cantalamessa continues saying that we should not wait to be completely healthy and happy to share a smile with others. “We must learn to withhold anything that upsets us and share joy and positive things with others.”
We pray that you seek and find all the joy God offers you this week.
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
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
• Holy Heroes
• Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
• Sunday Setup—Weekly Video and Post (courtesy of the Diocese of Bridgeport)
Advent Videos
• Joy: 3rd Sunday of Advent
• “A Journey Through Advent in Song with Miss Heidi and John Burland”
• Liturgical Calendar: Saints & Seasons with Shannon
• The Liturgical Year | Catholic Central
• Advent in 2 Minutes (NEW!)
• What Is an Advent Wreath?
• Find the Perfect Gift
• God’s Story: Prophets
• What’s What in the Church? Advent Wreath
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
Other Resources
• Jubilee 2025
• Pope Leo XIV and the Papacy
• Special Message from Pope Leo to Young People (NCYC | November 21, 2025)
For Catholic Schools
• Albert’s Expeditions Join Albert, a fierce yet friendly Peregrine Falcon, named after Saint Albert the Great (who even gave the Peregrine Falcon its name 800 years ago!) on scientific expeditions all around the globe. From under the soil to the sky full of stars, discover the stunning natural world full of life that God has created. Meant for children ages 5–10 and all families who want to learn more about their beautiful world around them and the Divine Creator who formed it all.
Seeds
Lesson Theme: We get ready for Jesus’ birth.
For this lesson, you will need scissors, crayons, pencils, a Church Year calendar, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), an Advent wreath for the classroom or your lesson cover from 11/30.
Sunday’s Gospel talks about John the Baptist being in prison, which can be overwhelming for preschoolers. Instead, this lesson will focus on how Mary and Joseph prepared for the birth of Jesus and how we prepare for his coming. We will read the Gospel story about Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem.
Note the liturgical color change to rose. It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that the celebration of Jesus’ birth is so near!
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
• Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
• Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Advent
• What’s What in the Church? Advent Wreath
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus brings happiness and joy.
For this lesson, you’ll need an Advent wreath, an Advent calendar, a Church Year calendar, a hand puppet, crayons, and copies of the story coloring page (one per child). The lesson uses Mary as an example of someone who found happiness and joy because she always stayed close to Jesus. The children will learn that they will experience the happiness and joy Jesus wants for us if they do what Jesus says.
Note the liturgical color change to rose. It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that the celebration of Jesus’ birth is so near! Note the references to joy throughout the lesson.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
• Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
• What’s What in the Church? Advent Wreath
• Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Advent
Good News
Lesson Theme: God sends messages of joy.
For this lesson, gather an Advent wreath, a Church Year calendar, crayons, pencils, and index cards (one per child). The children will need to settle and be quiet for the guided memory activity (Activity • J-O-Y) that follows the Gathering Prayer. After completing the Cover Activity about Our Lady of Guadalupe and Juan Diego, you may wish to invite any Hispanic children in your class to share about related family traditions.
The children will consider choices, accidents, sins, options, and what helps them know if a choice is right or wrong. Emphasize that choosing to follow Jesus will bring them joy.
Note the liturgical color change to rose. It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that the celebration of Jesus’ birth is so near! Note the references to joy throughout the lesson.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What’s What in the Church? Advent Wreath
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• Baptism of Jesus for Kids
• Faith, Fun, and Celebration: Advent
Venture
Lesson Theme: God sends messages of joy.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, scissors, tape, coloring tools, Bibles and rosaries (one each per child), a Liturgical Year calendar, an Advent wreath, and an Advent calendar from 11/30.
Note the liturgical color change: It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that Jesus’ coming is so near!
In Sunday’s Gospel, John the Baptist asks about Jesus. Is he a prophet or the Messiah for whom the People of Israel had waited?
The children will conclude their three-week study of Isaiah today with a message of hope. The children will enjoy illustrating Isaiah’s colorful imagery in the First Reading (page 5). Help them connect the signs that Jesus is the Messiah (First Reading and Gospel) with the Works of Mercy, their Advent calendar commitments, how they can share this Advent (page 7), and the life of Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. Jesus models how to bring hope and joy to others by caring for their physical and spiritual needs.
Continue to encourage the children to work on their Advent calendars. You may wish to prepare simple props and stage the Our Lady of Guadalupe play in this week’s lesson. Does your parish or school celebrate this feast day? Invite the children to share any family traditions.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
• Grandpaws Pantry
• God’s Story: Prophets
• Mary | Catholic Central
• Saint Jane Frances de Chantal | Obscure Saint
Visions
Lesson Theme: Jesus reveals signs of his loving presence.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, Bibles (one per student), and an Advent wreath.
In Sunday’s Gospel, John the Baptist asks whether this Jesus is a prophet or if could he be the Messiah for whom the People of Israel had waited for so long. The signs are pointing to yes!
Invite the young people to consider the signs of the times on the cover of this lesson and answer these questions: What do these signs reveal about Jesus? How do we know that Jesus is always present, even when the signs are negative or tragic?
Note the liturgical color change: It’s Gaudete (or “Rejoice”) Sunday. We rejoice that Jesus’ coming is so near!
The students’ three-week study of Isaiah concludes this week with a message of hope. After reading this week’s story together, make sure to connect how the robotics team is a hopeful sign of the times.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
• What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
• The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
• Mary | Catholic Central
• The Advent Minute—The Jesse Tree
• O Come, O Come Emmanuel/Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
• MN High School Robotics Students Build Power Wheelchair for 2-Year-Old
• Prophets | Catholic Central
• The Seven Sacraments
• O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Image credit: Nicole Bettega via Cathopic.com
