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This week as we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Luke describes the story of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, her cousin. When the angel Gabriel told Mary that her older cousin was expecting a baby, she rushed to a town of Judah to help. Luke recounts that, as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary´s greeting, her baby, John the Baptist, leaped in her womb and she (and the child) were filled with the Holy Spirit.
Over the years, I have heard many beautiful reflections about this passage, but there is one that I would like to share. John the Baptist, who would grow up to be the precursor of Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, received the Holy Spirit within his mother’s womb. In the same way, the womb of a family is the ideal place for a child to start his or her journey of faith. It is within the womb of a family that we learn, increase, and live our Catholic faith.
Loving God, thank you for giving us the blessing of helping the families in our parishes to nourish their children’s faith as we support their role as primary catechists. May all of us be open to receiving your Son, Jesus, in our hearts this Christmas. 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 many online resources.
Video of Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 1:39–45)
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Holy Heroes: The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Gospel Readings for Kids
Mary Visits Elizabeth Luke 1:39-45
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Use these videos to introduce Advent:
A Journey Through Advent
Liturgical Calendar: Saints and Seasons with Shannon
Advent in 2 Minutes
What Is an Advent Wreath?
Advent: Waiting for Jesus
Share this video with families about the importance of attending Mass, especially at Christmastime:
Find the Perfect Gift
Seeds
Lesson Theme: Mary is the Mother of God.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, scissors, and glue for the “Who Is Ready for Jesus?” activity on page 3. Suggest that the children share the Christmas story with their families using the ornaments they glued on the Christmas tree. Encourage the children to practice the short prayer, “Mary, Mother of God, pray for me,” and pray it regularly.
Find a coloring page to accompany “Waiting for Christmas Company” here.
NOTE: If you do not meet with your class next week, please send home the Seeds lesson for December 25 & January 2 for the children to complete over the Christmas break with their families. You may also wish to send home copies of the Parent Teaching Pages.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Weekly Gospel Videos and Coloring Pages
Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Advent Wreath
Promise
Lesson Theme: We are ready to welcome Jesus.
This lesson includes the Hail Mary on page 4. Encourage the children to practice this prayer at home until they can pray it from memory. Suggest that the children share with their families what they learn in this lesson about who said the first sentences of this prayer to Mary.
NOTE: If you do not meet with your class next week, please send home the Promise lesson for December 25 & January 2 for the children to complete over the Christmas break with their families. You may also wish to send home copies of the Parent Teaching Pages.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Weekly Gospel Videos and Coloring Pages
Bible Bag Gospel Lesson with Mrs. Cole
Advent Wreath
Good News
Lesson Theme: Mary leads us to Jesus.
Materials you will need for this lesson include a Nativity scene (or image), an image or statue of Saint Francis of Assisi, pencils, scissors, dice, Bibles, Advent wreath, and Church Year calendar.
As you note some of the feasts of Mary, you may wish to point out the dates on your Church Year calendar. In addition to those you will find on page TG2-27 of your Teaching Guide, you may wish to include the celebration of her birth on September 8 and of her Assumption into Heaven on August 15. Make sure the children understand that we honor Mary because of her special relationship with Jesus. We worship Jesus as God and celebrate him every day of the year!
NOTE: If you do not meet with your class next week, please send home the Good News lesson for December 25 & January 2 for the children to complete over the Christmas break with their families. You may also wish to send home copies of the Parent Teaching Pages.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Advent Wreath
What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
Venture
Lesson Theme: Mary trusts God.
This Sunday, we focus on Mary, the Mother of God. Mary is our model of faith. This is a good time to introduce Marian prayers in your regular class routine if you have not already done so. Note the “Our Catholic Faith” feature about the Sign of Peace. Encourage the children to pay special attention to this part of the Mass and its history. Ask them why they think we offer peace to our neighbors immediately after we pray the Lord’s Prayer (invite them to find examples in the words of this prayer).
Make sure you have scissors available to cut out their peace promises on page 5. Follow up on these promises next week.
NOTE: If you do not meet with your class next week, please send home the Venture lesson for December 25 & January 2 for the children to complete over the Christmas break with their families. You may also wish to send home copies of the Parent Teaching Pages.
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
St. Stephen
Visions
Lesson Theme: Mary teaches us to trust.
Refer to the cover of the November 28 lesson for this week’s opening prayer mantra: “I believe your promises, God.”
A note about the cover activities in Visions: They are typically intended to introduce the Sunday Gospel message. They may be used to generate group discussion or as a pacing activity. For example, direct students to work on this week’s crossword until all students arrive for class.
This Sunday’s Gospel is the story of the Visitation. Ask the young people with whom they choose to share their good news. Mary chose her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist.
NOTE: If you do not meet with your class next week, please send home the Visions lesson for December 25 & January 2 for the children to complete over the Christmas break with their families. You may also wish to send home copies of the Parent Teaching Pages.
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
Nativity Scenes from Around the World
Image credit: © 2020 by Jon P. McKamey
