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This second week of Advent includes several feast days that honor Mary. They begin on Thursday, December 8, with the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Holy Day of Obligation. We honor Saint Juan Diego on Friday, December 9, and Our Lady of Guadalupe next Monday, December 12. A relatively new feast honors Our Lady of Loreto on Saturday, December 10.
As we move closer to Christmas, it is natural for us to think of Jesus’ mother and the final weeks of her pregnancy as we prepare to celebrate our Savior’s birth. We encourage you and the children in your care to pray the Hail Mary every day 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:
Sunday Gospel Cartoon Reading and Lesson
Gospel Reading and Reflection for Kids
Holy Heroes
Advent Videos
“A Journey Through Advent in Song with Miss Heidi and John Burland”
Advent in 2 Minutes (NEW!)
Liturgical Calendar: Saints & Seasons with Shannon
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
Our Lady of Guadalupe and Saint Juan Diego Videos
Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Seeds
Lesson Theme: John the Baptist shares Jesus’ message.
For this lesson, you will need crayons, an Advent wreath for your classroom or your lesson cover from 11/27, and a Church Year calendar.
You will pray the first part of the Hail Mary with your children as a Closing Prayer. It is a good idea to encourage parents to pray this prayer with the children every day during this week so they can learn it by heart. Also, remind the parents to help their child cut the flame on page 4 and paste it on the Seeds cover for 11/27.
Remind the children that the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, December 8; Catholics attend Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Promise
Lesson Theme: Jesus is God’s promise.
Gather or prepare these materials for this class: crayons, scissors, glue, a Bible, butcher paper or poster board, colored paper scraps (1/2 to 1 inch), an Advent wreath, an Advent calendar, a Church Year calendar, and a story coloring page (one per child). We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 before class. You may also wish to draw the letters J-E-S-U-S in chunky letters on butcher paper or a poster board.
In this lesson, you’ll share the Gospel about John the Baptist preparing people for Jesus’ coming by encouraging them to ask God to forgive their sins. The children will also learn about Adam and Eve, who disobeyed God and sinned. Despite their sinfulness, God promised Adam and Eve that he would send a savior. Help the children understand that Jesus is our Savior, who will also forgive us for our unloving choices (sins).
Remind the children that the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, December 8; Catholics attend Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
Extending Activities
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Word of the Week
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Kid-Sized Lessons on the Sunday Gospel with Mrs. Cole
Gospel Reflection and Saint of the Week with Miss Heidi
Good News
Lesson Theme: We turn our hearts to God.
For this lesson, you will need an Advent wreath, Church Year calendar, pencils, crayons, drawing paper, scissors, and copies of the Hail Mary (one per child).
In this lesson, the children learn about two important prophets—Isaiah and John the Baptist. Both men spoke God’s message to the people of their time. Both men told people that God is sending a savior. Jesus, our Savior, opened the gates of Heaven for us by his Death and Resurrection. We can be saints in Heaven someday if we turn our hearts to God, repent of our sins, and share God’s love in our words and actions.
Remind the children that the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, December 8; Catholics attend Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Video
Baptism of Jesus for Kids
Venture
Lesson Theme: We prepare for Jesus’ coming.
Remind the children of their study of Isaiah’s messages. This prophet’s message of peace continues this week. Direct the children to the cover image. This is known as the Peaceable Kingdom, in which perceived enemies in the natural world come together in harmony. Light the second violet-purple candle as part of your prayer ritual this week and remind the children to continue to select and complete Advent activities on their calendars at home.
This Sunday’s Gospel is John the Baptist’s call to change; with the children, connect the Gospel Reading with how Sonya Colattur creates positive change in her community. Prepare a sample of the star activity before class.
Remind the children that the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, December 8; Catholics attend Mass on this Holy Day of Obligation.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Grandpaws Pantry
God’s Story: Prophets
Why We Should Love the Virgin Mary: Pope Francis Minute
Visions
Lesson Theme: John the Baptist calls us to reform.
John the Baptist is one of our most important guiding models, especially during the Gospel Readings for Advent. So is Mary, whose Immaculate Conception we celebrate this week. Make sure that the young people understand the significance of this feast day and that it is a Holy Day of Obligation.
We continue studying Isaiah’s message of peace. Fill a coffee can or garden pot with sticks “planted” into dirt or floral foam. The young people will use it to create a colorful Jesse Tree that celebrates Jesus’ ancestry. Send the ornaments home with the young people and encourage them to create a tree with their families. Make sure to reserve sufficient time for the blessing of the Advent wreath as your closing prayer.
Teaching Guide
Parent Teaching Pages
Parent/Grandparent Assistance for Home Study
The Gospel at Home
Weekly Review Template
Online Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
Why We Should Love the Virgin Mary: Pope Francis Minute
Mary—Catholic Central
Prophets—Catholic Central
The Advent Minute—The Jesse Tree
O Come, O Come Emmanuel & Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
Image credit: Renata Sedmakova/stock.adobe.com
