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This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent, which is also known as Gaudete Sunday. The use of pink (officially rose) vestments and candle on the Advent wreath signifies that our time of preparation is progressing toward its end. Our time of celebration is drawing near.
May the Lord give us the ability to joyfully anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ birth like Mary and Joseph did. May we not be brought down by the obstacles that are in our way. Amen.
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 3:10–18)
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
• God’s Story: John the Baptist
Advent Videos
• A Journey Through Advent in Song with Miss Heidi and John Burland
• 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 get ready for Christmas.
For this lesson, you will need an Advent wreath, crayons (make sure you have at least one purple and one pink crayon per child), scissors, one half oatmeal box (cylinder shape), strips of yellow paper, copies of the story coloring page (one per child), a Church Year calendar, and the paper wreath from 12/1.
Today you will prepare a manger by cutting a cylinder-shaped oatmeal box in half the long way. You can decorate it as you desire. During the lesson, the children will add one yellow strip of paper symbolizing hay for every loving action they do. Make sure you notice their kind actions and hand them a strip of paper to prepare Jesus’ manger.
Point out the change in liturgical color on the cover of the Seeds student lesson. It’s Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” We are joyful because our celebration of the birth of Jesus is so near. He is the best possible gift we could ever hope to receive.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
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: Sharing brings joy.
For this lesson, you will need an Advent wreath, scissors, crayons, Church Year calendar, and the Advent calendar from the 12/1 lesson. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 before your class session. You may wish to enlist the help of an aide or aides for the booklet activity.
Point out the change in liturgical color on the cover of the Promise student lesson. It’s Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” We are joyful because our celebration of the birth of Jesus is so near. He is the best possible gift we could ever hope to receive. Encourage the children to notice the color of the priest and deacon’s vestments at Mass this Sunday. They may wear either violet or rose vestments. Vestments are expensive, so some parishes may choose to not purchase rose vestments since they are worn only twice a year on Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent).
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)(Bible Bag)
• Advent Wreath
Good News
Lesson Theme: We can be kind and fair.
The supplies you need for this lesson are basic: Advent wreath, pencils, crayons, and Church Year calendar.
Point out the change in liturgical color on the cover of the Promise student lesson. It’s Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” We are joyful because our celebration of the birth of Jesus is so near. He is the best possible gift we could ever hope to receive. Encourage the children to notice the color of the priest and deacon’s vestments at Mass this Sunday. They may wear either violet or rose vestments. Vestments are expensive, so some parishes may choose to not purchase rose vestments since they are worn only twice a year on Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent).
Within this lesson, the children will be introduced to (or review) the meaning of the term sin and use the What the Church Believes and Teaches handbooks to learn about sin and conscience. The activity suggested in that section of the lesson plan will help the children clarify the difference between an accident or mistake and a sin.
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: We prepare for Jesus.
For this lesson, gather pens or pencils, a Liturgical Year calendar, and hymnals or YouTube recording of “City of God” by Dan Schutte.
Advent may be overlooked by children in the excitement of Christmas. The Cover Activity will help the children consider what gifts they can share.
Spend some time with the John the Baptist activity. Help the children understand that John’s advice was not for only the people who heard his voice. John’s words—and all of Scripture, for that matter—were meant for all people in all times, including us.
Note the change in liturgical color on the cover of the lesson. It’s Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” We are happy because our celebration of the birth of Jesus is so near. He is the best possible gift we could ever hope to receive. Encourage the children to notice the color of the priest and deacon’s vestments at Mass this Sunday. They may wear either violet or rose vestments. Vestments are expensive, so some parishes may choose to not purchase rose vestments since they are worn only twice a year on Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent).
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
• Temple Mount Video Tour
• St. Lucy
Visions
Lesson Theme: John the Baptist helps us prepare.
Refer to the cover of the December 1 lesson for this week’s opening prayer mantra: I will rejoice and be thankful to God.
Note the liturgical color change on the cover of this week’s Visions lesson. This Sunday is also known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” We are happy because our celebration of the birth of Jesus is so near. He is the best possible gift we could ever hope to receive. Encourage the young people to notice the color of the priest and deacon’s vestments at Mass this Sunday. They may wear either violet or rose vestments. Vestments are expensive, so some parishes may choose to not purchase rose vestments since they are worn only twice a year on Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent).
In this Sunday’s Gospel, John the Baptist gives us reason to rejoice. He tells the people that Jesus is coming, so they must prepare by treating one another fairly and repenting of their sins.
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
• St. Wenceslaus School Cardboard Box City
• Cardboard Box City
• “What Then Should We Do?” (Luke 3:10)
Image credit: © 2020 by Jon P. McKamey
