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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 many online resources.
Video of Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 21:25–28, 34–36)
Use these videos as you discuss today’s Gospel. Please preview all videos you plan to share with your class:
Holy Heroes
Gospel Readings for Kids
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?
Share this video with families about the importance of attending Mass, especially at Christmastime:
Find the Perfect Gift
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 purple and one pink). 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 one story coloring page per child. We suggest you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 in advance and assemble your own Advent wreath from pages 3–4.
Note that with the start of Advent, a new Church Year has begun. If you haven’t already purchased a new Church Year calendar to use in your classroom or home, find one here.
Teaching Guide
Find a coloring page to accompany “Getting Ready for Christmas” here.
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: Jesus is coming! We get ready.
For this lesson, be prepared with scissors, crayons, tape, pencils, and a story coloring page for each child. We suggest that you separate pages 1–2 from 3–4 and put together one Advent Table Prayer in advance. 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.
Note that with the start of Advent, a new Church Year has begun. If you haven’t already purchased a new Church Year calendar to use in your classroom or home, find one here.
Teaching Guide
Find a coloring page to accompany “Liza Feels Scared” here.
Parent Teaching Pages
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: 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 assist you in finding a recording of one to share or, if available, coming 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.
Note that with the start of Advent, a new Church Year has begun. If you haven’t already purchased a new Church Year calendar to use in your classroom or home, find one here.
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: God cares for us.
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 in which we prepare for the coming of Jesus. Encourage the children to post the calendar (on the Venture cover) in their homes and complete daily activities. How will they give the gift of themselves during this special time? Each 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
Lesson Assessment
Seasonal Resources
Videos
What Is the Symbolism of the Advent Wreath?
The Meaning of the Advent Wreath
Visions
Lesson Theme: God is always near.
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 season in the Church. 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 this calendar on page 55 in their handbooks regularly. Note: Pay attention to the swastika in this week’s story. There is an explanation of this symbol, as well as resources, in the Teaching Guide, page TG2-14. The students will need Bibles—or access to a Bible app—to complete this week’s prophet activity.
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
Blessed (Soon to Be Saint) Charles de Foucauld
Prayer of Abandonment
Image credit: © 2020 by Jon P. McKamey
