Light the Advent candle four, Think of joy forever more.

Christ Child in a stable born, Gift of love on Christmas morn.

BEFORE ADVENT BEGINS: THE ADVENT WREATH

We light one candle on the Advent wreath every week as we prepare for Christmas. There are three purple candles on the wreath. Purple is the colour of ‘looking forward’. A pink candle is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent. Pink is a happy colour. It reminds us that Christmas is getting nearer. The wreath is in the shape of a circle because a circle has no beginning and no end. It goes on forever, just like God’s love for us. Colour the wreath each week as you prepare for the coming of Jesus on Christmas Day.

Light the Advent candle three, Think of heavenly harmony.

Angels singing “Peace on Earth”, At the Blessed Saviour’s birth.

Light the Advent candle two, Think of humble shepherd who, Filled with wonder at the sight, Of the child on Christmas night.

Light the Advent candle one, Now the waiting has begun. We have started on our way,

Time to think of Christmas Day.

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MAKE AN ADVENT WREATH FOR YOUR CLASSROOM

You will need: • An empty biscuit tin covered in green paper and filled with damp sand • Evergreen branches • Four candles: three purple and one pink • Purple Ribbon

Place the candles at intervals in the sand. Place evergreen branches between and around the candles to cover the sand. Use the purple ribbon to decorate.

FOR INFANT CLASSES You can also make a ‘no burn’ Advent wreath for Infant classes! You will need:

• Green card or sugar paper • Scissors and glue • A paper plate • A sheet of yellow, purple and pink card

Using green card or green sugar paper, have each child trace around their hand and cut it out. These will become the ‘leaves’ on your wreath. Cut a hole in the centre of a paper plate, and glue the ‘leaves’ on. Make ‘candles’ by rolling pieces of purple and pink card, using sticky tape to hold the ends in place. Make ‘flames’ for each candle using yellow card. You can add the flames each week as you ‘light’ your Advent wreath!

BLESS THE ADVENT WREATH You might like to invite the priest or chaplain to bless the Advent Wreath. The following prayer may be used. Use Holy Water to sprinkle and bless the wreath. Loving God, Bless these candles and make them a sign of your love for us and our hope in you. May our Advent Wreath be a source of joy in our school and in our classroom. As light comes from these candles, may it guide us and brighten our way as we wait for your coming. May you bring light into our schools, homes and communities as we wait and prepare this Advent season. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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BEFORE ADVENT BEGINS: THE JESSE TREE

The Jesse tree is like the family tree of Jesus. Its name comes from Jesse, who was the father of King David. Jesse and King David were ancestors of Jesus. The Jesse tree shows us more of the important people in the Old Testament. It shows us how long they waited for a king. We know that Jesus is the king that God promised to send. We use the Jesse Tree to remind us of God’s promise.

CAN YOU FIND JESUS’ ANCESTORS IN THE BIBLE?

Look in your Bible to find the names of Jesus’ family. Write each name in the spaces below. Then match the person to the symbols at the side.

GENESIS 3:20 GENESIS 7:1 GENESIS 22:1 EXODUS 19:20 RUTH 2:2 2 SAMUEL 5: 3 LUKE 3:16 MATTHEW 1:24 LUKE 1:38 MATTHEW 2:2

MAKE YOUR OWN JESSE TREE It’s fun to make your own Jesse Tree, either at home or in school. Just use a dead branch, or draw and cut out a branch on cardboard. You can use the symbols above and even add more! You can download some Jesse Tree Symbols from www.osv.com/Portals/0/images/pdf/JesseTree.pdf. Cut them out and colour them in, and then attach a string or coloured ribbon to hang them from the branch.

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Start here, on the First Sunday of

Advent – November 29th.

Complete one task each day, and

color the stone to show that we are one day closer to

Christmas

Light the first purple candle on

the Advent Wreath.

Give away one of your best smiles

today!

☺

Remember your prayers

before bed tonight.

Say thank you to everyone who helps you today.

Today is the feast of St Francis Xavier. Pray for peace in the world.

Pray for your granny and

granddad today.

Tomorrow is the feast of St Nicholas. Be generous – share with

others.

Light two purple candles on the Advent

Wreath. Show the

people you live with that you

love them.

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Say the Hail Mary.

Forgive someone who has hurt you.

Offer to help an older neighbor with an odd job.

Be polite – hold the door

open for someone.

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Tomorrow is the feast of St Lucy. Visit a Church and ask for help to light a candle

Light two purple and one pink candle on

the Advent Wreath

Recycle your Christmas card envelopes and give your used stamps away.

Remember to say the grace before meals

today.

Sing some Christmas

carols at home or in school.

Say a prayer for the people you love who

have died.

Write a Christmas letter

or card to someone you

love.

Say a prayer for people

who are lonely at Christmas.

Light three purple and one pink

candle on the Advent Wreath.

Read the story of the First

Christmas in Luke’s Gospel.

Draw a picture of the stable in

Bethlehem where Jesus was born.

Help to tidy the house to

prepare for Christmas Day.

Go to Mass tonight or

tomorrow and celebrate that Jesus is born!

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A REFLECTION FOR TEACHERS:

LESSONS FROM THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY BY RAYMOND TOPLEY

Originally published in the Irish Catholic, Advent 2008

'The Little Drummer Boy' is one of the most popular carols of the Christmas season. Its message, telling the story of an imaginary encounter with the new-born Jesus, is familiar to all. In this regard, it has much to teach the Christian disciple of any age. Particularly appealing are the touching and inspiring lines, ''I played my drum for him,'' and ''I played my best for him.'' The song is simplicity itself and this is very much part of its universal appeal. Against the backdrop of the gentle yet catchy tune, the words recount the meeting between a boy drummer and a boy king. But the apparent simplicity reveals a profound message. The drummer boy not only plays his drum for Jesus, he also plays his best for him. The commitment is one hundred per cent. There is no holding back and in this total giving he becomes a model for all Christian disciples in their relationship with the Lord. The song, therefore, is essentially Christological. It imagines an encounter with Christ and points to the ideal response namely, service of the Lord to the best of one's ability. What lessons, therefore, has the little drummer boy for teachers and catechists, for instance? Firstly, Christian ministry is rooted in an encounter with the Lord. Each annual celebration of Christmas presents an opportunity for deepening that experience. Secondly, it is important to identify one's particular talent with a view to placing it at the service of God and God's people. For this boy it was drumming. However, each one has something special to offer as noted in the jingle, ''God has a job for you to do, as hand fits glove and foot fits shoe'' or as expressed more soberly by Cardinal Newman when he declared, ''God has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another'' (Mediations and Devotions). But while each one responds in a particular way to the call of God there remains one thing that is common to all, and that is the fulfilling of one's role to the very best of one's ability. For the Christian believer to be able to say at the end of life, ''I played my drum for him'' and ''I played my best for him'' is truly to have answered the call of Christian ministry and discipleship. Besides that, it also inherits the affirmation of Christ expressed succinctly in the closing words of the song, ''Then he smiled at me.'' If this 'eschatological smile' of Christ were sub-titled it might read, ''Well done, good and faithful servant, come and inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world'' (Mt 25:24). This carol, therefore, is not just about a simple visit to a crib. It has more to it than that. It is eschatological in that it fits in with the end of life, with the Christian believer's final encounter with the Lord and the notion of Christ as King. Inheriting such a royal divine 'smile' for a job well done or a life well spent is the eternal lot of both adults and children, who 'drum' for the Lord to the best of their ability following the spiritual rhythm of the little drummer boy.

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SACRED SPACE FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT Start to create your sacred space for Advent by using a purple cloth. Add your Advent wreath, and light the first purple candle. Place a Bible in the sacred space, and open it to this week’s Gospel. Each week, you can add items which reflect the theme of that week’s Gospel message and any feast days that occur. You can also add your class’s work to the sacred space.

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT THEME: WATCH!

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that we should watch for signs of God in the world. He also tells us that he will come again, at the end of time, and we have to be ready for that day too. Jesus uses an example from nature to help us to understand. He says that when we see leaves returning to the trees, we know that summer time will soon follow.

In the same way, we are to look for signs of him in our world. Jesus tells us to “Watch out and keep praying.” You can read this Gospel in your class or family Bible. You will find it in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21; verses 25-36. This week, look out for signs of God’s love in the world. Every day, write down or draw one of these signs. It might be that you see someone doing a good deed, or you might see something in nature that reminds you of God. Remember to say a prayer to God when see these signs. In this way, you are doing what Jesus asked you to do in this week’s Gospel.

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PRAYER SERVICE TO BEGIN ADVENT Let’s begin by blessing ourselves in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Light the first candle on the Advent Wreath and pray the following prayer Light the Advent candle one, Now the waiting has begun. We have started on our way, Time to think of Christmas Day

SING: The Advent Hymn (Alive-O 5, p. 114) LEADER: Today we will honour the One who is coming. We will remember the story of what happened long, long ago. We will remember some of the people who are part of that story. CHILD: Come Lord Jesus ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ READER: The Angel Gabriel came to Mary. She would be a mother soon. Jesus would be her son. Let us remember the One who is coming. CHILD: Come Lord Jesus ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ READER: Joseph has a dream. The angel told him not to be afraid to marry Mary. Let us remember the One who is coming. CHILD: Come Lord Jesus ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ READER: The Roman soldiers told Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem. Everyone had to be counted. Jesus was born in a stable because there was no room at the inn. Let us remember the One who is coming.

CHILD: Come Lord Jesus

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ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ READER: Glory to God in the highest and peace to God’s people on earth. The angels welcomed the Lord Jesus. Let us remember the One who is coming. CHILD: Come Lord Jesus ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ READER: The shepherds minded the sheep. Nobody thought that they would be the first people to know that Jesus had been born. Let us remember the One who is coming. CHILD: Come Lord Jesus ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ READER: The Magi saw the star in the sky. They followed that star until it led them to the baby Jesus. Let us remember the One who is coming. CHILD: Come Lord Jesus ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ READER: The Christmas story tells us how the shepherds and the Magi met Jesus long ago. We are reminded in these days of Advent that Jesus is our friend. He is the One who is coming. CHILD: Come Lord Jesus ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

SING: Carol of the Journey (Alive-O 1, p. 108; Alive-O 2, p. 124; Alive-O 3, p. 162)

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FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT THEME: WATCH!

During the first week of Advent we celebrate the feast St Francis Xavier. His feast is celebrated on December 3rd.

F FACT FILE: SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER: Francis Xavier was born in Spain in 1506 He went to study in Paris in 1525 and there he met Ignatius of Loyola In 1534 he was one of the seven men who, with Ignatius, founded the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits He was ordained in Venice in 1538 The Pope recognised the Society of Jesus in 1540 He was a great missioner and travelled far and wide to countries such as Mozambique, India, China and Japan telling people about Jesus and preaching the Gospel He was canonised a Saint in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV He is Patron Saint of all Foreign Missions His feast day is December 3rd

Colour some of the places that St Francis Xavier

visited on the map

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St Francis Xavier Word Search

X U I R S P D D Z Y P N Y Z D

G V D S M U Z L K A N I H C T

I E T N I A S T B S L R N T S

T J L O S N Q E K O A O D Z T

P J F I V L D J J T R R Y M R

S L E S N D S I E T I G R O N

A G O S P E L I A C X P O V L

B U V I U N S P A I N S G Y F

X L K M R I M R K A L A E O M

V D H U R A T E P W N N R T U

C O U A H D W A Q S O E G G D

M Q P Y N R J C N B I V X O O

N Z D Q Z O R H Y G P E H N L

O H A O H M R E N O I S S I M

C X G M W E V D G Q N X Z U D

CHINA FOREIGN GOSPEL

GREGORY IGNATIUS INDIA

JAPAN JESUIT JESUS

LOYOLA MISSIONER MISSIONS

ORDAINED PARIS PATRON

PREACHED ROME SAINT

SEVEN SPAIN

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Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Isaiah wrote about John the Baptist. He knew that John would be the one to help the people to prepare for Jesus. Isaiah said, In the desert, someone is shouting, “Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him. Fill up every valley and level every mountain and hill. Straighten the

crooked paths and smooth out the rough roads. Then everyone will see the power of God.”

SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT THEME: PREPARE!

This week’s Gospel tells us about John the Baptist, whose job it was to tell the people to prepare for Jesus’ coming. Crack the code to reveal John’s message.

a b c d e f g h I j K l M N o P q r s t u v w x y z

☺ ⌧

☺ ☺

☺ ! !

. ☺ ☺

.

HOW WILL YOU RESPOND TO JOHN’S MESSAGE TO PREPARE FOR JESUS’ BIRTH?

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________

SACRED SPACE FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT Place a bottle of holy water in your sacred space. This reminds us of our own Baptism. Open your class Bible at Luke 3:1-6 and read this Gospel during the week. Add a statue of Mary to celebrate December 8th and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. You could also put a picture of Saint Nicholas in your sacred space. Thank God for his example of generosity this week.

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SAINT NICHOLAS DECEMBER 6TH

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was born in Turkey long, long ago. He could have been a very rich man, but he gave all of his money away to people who were poor and sick. He was a very generous man. We remember him in a special way on December 6th. This year, December 6th is also the Second Sunday of Advent. Saint

Nicholas helps us to prepare for Christmas by reminding us to be generous and to always share with others.

FIND THE WORDS IN THE WORD SEARCH.

s a n t a a s d n

f y j l k p x b i

s g i v e h f w c

p k g s s a c k h

k r u c g h k s o

t p r e s e n t l

l q e y d h k n a

p o o r s f h k s

santa

sack

present

nicholas

give

poor

PUT THE WORDS INTO A SENTENCE.

Santa:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sack:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Nicholas:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Give:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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TRUE OR FALSE? Circle the correct answer.

1. Mary lived in Jerusalem. True / False

2. Mary was married to Joseph. True / False

3. The angel Geraldine told Mary that she would have a baby. True / False

4. Mary’s sister was called Elizabeth. True / False

5. Jesus was Mary’s only child. True / False

6. Mary is the only woman who never sinned in her whole life. True / False

7. The Church honours Mary in a special way in May. True / False

8. Mary’s mother’s name was Amelia. True / False

9. Mary’s baby was born on November 25th True / False

10. Mary is sometimes called the Queen of Heaven True / False

PREPARE! Just like us, Mary had to prepare

for the birth of Jesus.

Make a list of all the things that Mary had to do.

In what ways are we preparing for Jesus’ birth at home, in school

and in our parish community?

RESEARCH! What other days in the Church are Holy Days of Obligation?

Use the internet to help you find the answer!

Make a list of the Church’s Holy Days of Obligation in your

Religion copy.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION DECEMBER 8TH

Every year, on December 8th, we celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Conception. On this day, we remember that Mary was conceived without sin, and so chosen from the very first moment of her life to be the mother of Jesus. The Angel Gabriel told Mary:

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is one of the special days during the year that we are asked to go to Mass, no matter what day of the week it is. We call these special days Holy Days of Obligation.

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Our Lady has appeared in many places throughout the world to many different people.

She often brings a message of hope, inviting people to turn back to God, and to pray.

Mary appeared to a girl called Bernadette in Lourdes in 1858, and also to three children in the Portuguese town of Fatima in 1917. In 1879, Mary appeared in a village called Knock in County Mayo.

In 1531, Our Lady appeared to a man called Juan Diego on a hill called Tepeyac near Mexico City. Mary told Juan that she wanted the local bishop to build a church on that hill. Juan went to the bishop, who asked for a sign that the woman really was Our Lady. The next time Juan saw Mary, she told him to go to the top of the hill, where he would find roses, even though it was the month of December. Juan did what Mary asked him, and, sure enough, the roses were there as she had said. Juan picked the roses and carried them in his cloak to the bishop. When Juan took the roses out of his cloak, an image of Our Lady was left on the fabric. The picture on the left is the image of Mary which appeared the cloak.

Juan Diego’s cloak – with the image of Mary on it – can still be seen today. It is kept in Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE DECEMBER 12TH

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The Gospel Reading for the Third Sunday of Advent comes from the Gospel of St Luke, chapter 3, verses 10-18. You might like to read this with your class. Encourage them to find the text in the class bible. In this week’s Gospel John tells us that we must always be willing to share what we have particularly with people who are not as lucky as we are.

THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT THEME: SHARE!

WORD SEARCH Find some things that you can share in the Word Search

n s q s u b p s pencils p e r l i d y t smiles x l z i e g c e sweets l i c c u q l e toys n m h n t i j w u s r e o w x s x r j p s y o t e z f y y e e n

Think of some of the things that you have that you can share with those around you!

MATCH THE WORD WITH THE PICTURE

Smile

Pencils

Toys

Sweets

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Note for the teacher: Use either the story or poem that follows to help the children in your class think about the kind of things that we can share, gifts that we can give that do not cost money. You might like to have an outline of a Christmas Tree in your classroom where the children could put these kinds of presents. They could write the names of the presents and stick them on the tree

or make envelopes out of Christmas wrapping paper and put the names of the presents into the envelopes before placing them on the tree.

THE GIVING TREE This is a story called ‘The Giving Tree’ written by a man called Shel Silverstein. Read the story with your class.

Once there was a tree…… And she loved a little boy. And every day the boy would come. And he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. He would climb up her trunk. And swing from her branches. And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. And the boy loved the tree very much And the tree was happy. But time went by, and the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone. Then one day the boy came to the tree and the tree said: ”Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat apples and play in my shade and be happy.” “I am too big to climb and play,” said the boy. “I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money. Can you give me some money?” ”I’m sorry,” said the tree,” but I have no money. I have only leaves and apples. Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money and you’ll be happy.” And so the boy climbed up the tree and gathered her apples and carried them away. And the tree was happy. But the boy stayed away for a long time…… and the tree was sad. And then, one day, the boy came back and the tree shook with joy, and she said: ”Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat apples and play in my shade and be happy.”

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“I am too busy to climb trees,” said the boy. “I want a house to keep me warm,” he said. “I want a wife and I want children, and so I need a house. Can you give me a house?” “I have no house,” said the tree. The forest is my house,” said the tree, “but you may cut off my branches and build a house. Then you will be happy” And so the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build a house. And the tree was happy. But the boy stayed away for a long time……and the tree was sad. And when he came back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak. “Come, Boy,” she whispered, “come and play.” “I am too old and sad to play,” said the boy. “I want a boat that will take me away from here. Can you give me a boat?” “Cut down my trunk and make a boat,” said the tree. “Then you can sail away and be happy.” And so the boy cut down her trunk. And made a boat and sailed away. And the tree was happy…..But not really. And after a long time the boy came back again. “I am sorry, Boy,” said the tree, “but I have nothing left to give you. My apples are gone.” “My teeth are too weak for apples,” said the boy. “My branches are gone,” said the tree.”You cannot swing on them.” ”I am too old to swing on branches,” said the boy. “My trunk is gone,” said the tree. “You cannot climb.” ”I am too tired to climb,” said the boy. “I am sorry,” sighed the tree. “I wish that I could give you something, but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump. I am sorry.” ”I don’t need very much now,” said the boy. “Just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired.” “Well,” said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, “well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down…and rest.” And the tree was happy.

SACRED SPACE FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT Open your class Bible at Luke 3:10-18 and read this Gospel during the week. Place a picture of St Lucy and a copy of her prayer in the Sacred Space. Remember to say a prayer for people who are blind or who have difficulties with their eyes when you light the pink candle on your Advent Wreath this week.

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BRAINSTORM What do you think this story is about? The gifts that the tree gave were from the heart, they didn’t cost money. Sometimes they are the best gifts. Can you think of gifts that are free and would mean something special? Let’s write down some of those kinds of gifts on the board. Decide which gift you would like to give someone you care about. Write the gift on a card and put it on the Christmas tree.

THE GIVING TREE

INTERACTIVE WHITE BOARD ACTIVITY: Download the story in animated form from this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWNWnm3IX2M. In this version the story is read by the author.

There are many other versions of this story available on You Tube. Try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TZCP6OqRlE

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THE PRESENT

The poor little boy was as sad as could be.

He had no present for under the tree.

“Oh, my Mammy and Daddy work so hard for me,

I have nothing to give them to thank them you see”.

But, later, alone, on his small little bed,

he took bright coloured paper and long bits of thread.

And he tied up a parcel with nothing inside,

and he crept down the stairs when the parcel was tied.

When he woke the next day, he went down to the tree,

he saw Mammy and Daddy as glad as could be,

“We got perfume, a tie and a clock for the shelf,

but your present is special, you made it yourself.

And your bright little parcel, all tied up and small,

was filled up with love, the best present of all.

Christy Kenneally

Make a present filled with love! Put it in or near your Sacred Space to remind us that Christmas is not just about all the toys and gifts that we will get. Christmas is about the love that God has for each and every one of us. God showed us that love by giving us the best present of all – Jesus Christ!

Consider helping the Vincent de Paul in your area by collecting gifts for people who are finding life difficult this Christmas. Make contact with someone from the local

St Vincent de Paul and see what you can do to help.

21

FEAST OF SAINT LUCY DECEMBER 13TH Saint Lucy was from Syracuse, a city on the east coast of Sicily. She lived about 300 years after Jesus died, when Christianity was still a very new religion. It was difficult for Lucy to practise her faith

because those who did so openly were often killed. We do not know much about her except that she was a courageous young woman who was proud of her Christian faith, despite the dangers. The name Lucy means “light” and she is the patron of people who are blind or who have diseases of the eye. In ancient times, her feast was celebrated at the time of the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. So her feast day has become a feast of light pointing us towards Christ, our Light. St Lucy’s Day is still celebrated in many parts of Europe. In Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway, it is the job of the eldest daughter to act as Lucy. She walks in procession with a crown of candles on her head, reminding us that St Lucy always kept the light of Christ alive. You can read more about how St Lucy’s Day is celebrated at www.schooloftheseasons.com/lucy.html .

PRAYER TO SAINT LUCY: Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world to see. May we always let our light shine in everything we do. Please help us to have the courage to bring the light of Christ into our work, our play, our friendships and our conversations -- every corner of our day. Amen.

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FILL IN THE BLANKS

TO MAKE A FACT FILE ON THE LIFE OF ST LUCY

Lucy was _ _ _ _ in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ more than _ _ _ _ _ _ _ hundred years ago.

Syracuse is in _ _ _ _ __.

She believed in J _ _ _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ even though this was a very difficult thing to do in those days.

Many Christians were _ _ _ _ _ _ because they believed in Christ.

Her name means _ _ _ _ _.

In olden days, her _ _ _ _ _ day was celebrated at the same time as the

winter _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, the shortest day of the _ _ _ _.

On her feast day, we remember that Christ is our _ _ _ _ _.

St Lucy’s Day is still _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in many parts of the world.

Her feast day is on _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 13th.

She is the patron Saint of people who are _ _ _ _ _.

Word Bank: blind, light, Syracuse, feast, killed, sixteen, Jesus Christ, born, solstice, December, Syria, year, celebrated, light.

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FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT THEME: WONDER!

FOR THE TEACHER: Nothing sums up the expectation of Christmas better than the word, wonder.

Children become engrossed in the story of Christmas; in the receiving of presents from Santa Claus; they marvel at the Christmas lights and decorations in the towns and cities, on houses and in homes. There can be different smells and sounds – baking and cooking, Christmas Carols. As adults, a distinctive smell or sound can transport us back to our own childhood. As the American writer Garrison Keillor puts it: “Childhood is the country we had to leave behind and at Christmas we get to go back and try to speak our very first language.”

A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST LUKE 1: 39-44 A short time later Mary hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah’s home, where she greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby moved within her. The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth. Then in a loud voice she said to Mary: God has blessed you more than any other woman! He has also blessed the

child you will have. Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me. The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise CHATTING ABOUT THE GOSPEL The Gospel tells the wonderful story of two cousins, Mary and Elizabeth. Although she was getting ready for the birth of the baby Jesus, Mary decided that the first thing she should do was to help her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was also getting ready for a special baby. He would be John the Baptist and when he was older he would tell the people to prepare for Jesus. He would also baptise Jesus in the river Jordan.

• If you were visiting the house of someone who was getting ready for a baby, what could you bring?

• What do we bring when we visit our granny’s house? • What do we bring when we go to a friend’s house? • What are the ways we can be helpful at this time at home when there is a lot

of work to get ready for Christmas? • Apart from the presents, what are your favourite things about this time of

year?

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SACRED SPACE Place a small box wrapped in paper, representing the gifts that Mary may have brought to Elizabeth in your Sacred Space. This might be a small bauble or Christmas decoration; something associated with a baby – a soother, an article of clothing, a bottle. Think of something to represent John the Baptist - a baptismal candle.

WORD JUMBLE Unjumble the words below to find the message of John the Baptist E R A P R E P E R A P R E P S U J U S S I G I N C M O

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

WORD MAZE

A P B N W E P Q N R

Z Q R Y I L M A R Y

F G C E P I G S D X

H T A J P Z L O J H

J R Q D M A R Y E F

K J P Q V B R Q S G

J O H N L E L E U O

P Z G C X T N J S I

I H M W R H Y T U O

Prepare Elizabeth Mary

Jesus John Advent

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CAROL SERVICE

FOR THE TEACHER: Each year of the Alive-O programme has lessons for Advent and Christmas. They are a

rich source of material that can be used both inside and outside the classroom as a

school community prepares for Christmas, e.g. music, artwork, readings, poems,

prayers, etc. The posters that accompany each of the year’s programmes, and which

include many of the scenes associated with Advent and Christmas, could be used to

decorate the school hall or the church where the carol service takes place. In Alive-O7

[T1, L12-14] the season of Advent is explored with specific material for each day of a

three week period. Some of the material in these lessons could be used for the school

community as a whole.

The Alive-O programme also has a number of specific Christmas Plays and Prayer

Services that you might like to look at as a source of material to celebrate the coming of

Christ at Christmas.

Alive-O 1 Christmas Play: A Time to Be Born Teachers’ Book, p.247

Alive-O2 Christmas Play: Ready and Waiting Teachers’ Book, p.261

Alive-O3 Christmas Play: The Moment We’ve

Been Waiting For Teachers’ Book, p.347

Alive-O4 Christmas Play: The Magi Cantata Teachers’ Book, p.434

Alive-O6 Christmas Prayer Service Teachers’ Book, p.149

Alive-O7 Christmas Lessons: Waiting in Joyful Hope Teachers’ Book, p.87

Alive-O 8 Nativity Play Teacher’s Book, p.89

It is traditional in many primary schools to end the year with a Carol Service/Christmas Concert. You’ll find here some resources that will help in organising a

Carol Service. In the Anglican (Church of Ireland) Tradition a Service of Nine Lessons

and Carols has been a time-honoured beginning to the Christmas season, by combining

some of the readings associated with the foretelling of the Christ Child, with some

traditional Christmas Carols. Nine lessons and carols would be a little too much for a

primary school, but the idea could work very well.

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What follows is an outline of a short prayer service of readings and carols, which is

constructed using material entirely from the Alive-O programme. There is a rich

source of material there that is simple, age appropriate and prayerful. Two reading

options are given for most of the readings, depending on the audience, or if the prayer

service takes place in a Junior or a Senior Primary School. There are six sections, each

containing the following: an introduction, a reading/poem, a carol, and a prayer. Each

section is more or less related to a character associated with the Christmas story. The

carols are all from the Alive-O programme. Other traditional and familiar carols can

be used. If you have the Tapes/CDs for each of the Alive-O programmes, you can use

them to accompany the singing. Page references are given for all the material. It

finishes with prayers of intercession, a final prayer and blessing. The Prayer Service is

an ideal opportunity to invite your school chaplain to become involved, but it can also

be done should he be unable to attend.

PICTURE TO COLOUR

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CAROL SERVICE

INTRODUCTION We gather here today as a school to prepare for Christmas. We do that by listening to

the stories related to the coming of Jesus, by singing some Christmas carols and by

praying together. Advent is a time of waiting. Waiting is not something that we like

to do much, but when we wait patiently for something, it makes it all the nicer when

that thing comes: our birthday; our school holidays; a trip with our family; a present or

a prize. Many people in the Christmas story were people who waited. God had

always promised that he would send a Saviour and for many thousands of years the

people of Israel waited. Today we begin a little journey – it is a journey through the

stories of these people who waited and who then rejoiced when Jesus was born in

Bethlehem. We begin with the most important person in the story after Jesus – his

mother Mary.

THE ANNUNCIATION READING: One Moment (Alive-O3, p.133)/The Annunciation to Mary; ‘Who is the One

Who is Coming?’ (Alive-O5, p.113)/Advent Word (Alive-O7, p.99)/A Few

Little Moments (Alive-O7, p. 100)

CAROL: Mary, Will You Take (Alive-O, p.114; Alive-O2, p.132; Alive-O3, p.140)

PRAYER: God of love and mercy, help us to follow the example of Mary, who was

always ready to do your will. At the message of an angel, she welcomed

Jesus. Help us to learn from the example of Mary, our mother. We ask

this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

MARY & ELIZABETH We now listen to the story of two cousins, Mary and Elizabeth. Mary was always a

person who thought of others. Even when she was busy getting ready for the birth of

Jesus, she was thinking about her cousin Elizabeth, who lived a good distance away

and who was also expecting a baby.

READING: Two Cousins (Alive-O2, p.109) / Poem Mary & Elizabeth (Alive-O2, p.112)

CAROL: Away in a Manger (Alive-O2, p.131; Alive-O3, p.161; Alive-O6, p.153)

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PRAYER: God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Take away the

things that stop us from receiving Jesus with joy. We ask this prayer

through Christ our Lord. Amen.

JOHN THE BAPTIST/ISAIAH The baby that Elizabeth was expecting was John the Baptist. It was he who told the

people about the coming of Jesus. The prophet Isaiah was a prophet who talked to

God’s chosen people at a time of great difficulty. The people were very sad and Isaiah

told them of the Saviour that God would send.

READING: The People Who Walked in Darkness (Alive-O4, p.148)

John the Baptist (Alive-O5, p.125)/Waiting in Joyful Hope (Alive-O7, p.91)

CAROL: Carol of the Journey (Alive-O, p.108; Alive-O2, p.124; Alive-O3, p.162)

Advent Hymn (Alive-O5, p.114)/Every Valley (Alive-O7, p.297)

PRAYER: God our Father, you loved the world so much you gave your only Son.

Help us who wait for his coming and lead us to love you more. We ask

this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

BIRTH OF JESUS We now listen to what happened on that first Christmas night, when all the characters

of the story come together. The Saviour that God would send his people would not

come with a great army, would not come and make everyone afraid, would not come

the way anyone expected. He would come as a baby born in a manger.

READING: The Waiting is Over (Alive-O, p.110)/Jesus is Born (Alive-O2, p.127)/The

Moment They’d All Been Waiting For (Alive-O3, p.153)/Christmas Story (Alive-O4, p.173)

Gospel according to St Luke (Alive-O6, p.145; p.146)/The Birth of Jesus (Alive-O7, p.103)

CAROL: Silent Night/Oíche Chiúin (Alive-O4, p.176; Alive-O5, p.140;

Alive-O6, p.154-155)

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PRAYER: Lord our God, may we, your children who look forward to the birthday

of Jesus, experience all the joy that the celebration will bring. We ask this

prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SHEPHERDS The first people that met the baby Jesus were not the important people, not the

wealthy people, not the very clever people. The first people to meet the baby Jesus

were simple shepherds, who were minding their sheep on a mountain. This was

something that was important to Jesus right throughout his life, to meet people that

nobody cared about and to be their friend.

READING: The Shepherds Prepare (Alive-O2, p.118)/Advent Word (Alive-O7, p.100)

Advent Reflection (Alive-O7, p.101)

CAROL: Mary’s Lullaby (Alive-O4, p.175; Alive-O5, p.138)/O Little Town of

Bethlehem (Alive-O6, p.152)

PRAYER: Lord, fill our hearts with your love, and as you revealed to us by an

angel the coming of your Son in the stable at Bethlehem, lift our hearts

and minds in watchful hope and open our ears to listen to your Word.

We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE WISE MEN God had sent his people a Saviour, but this Saviour would not be just for God’s chosen

people. Jesus would be a Saviour for all people. The three wise men that came to give

their gifts to the baby represent that fact: the birth of Jesus wasn’t just an event in the

Holy Land – it was an event for the whole world.

READING: The Kings Prepare (Alive-O2, p.120)/Watching, Waiting, Wondering

(Alive-O3, p.143)/ Poem Half Wise (Alive-O7, p.103)

CAROL: Following a Star (Alive-O3, p.149; Alive-O4, p.152)

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PRAYER: Lord our God, help us to prepare for the coming of Jesus, your Son. May

he find us waiting and watching in prayer. We ask this prayer through

Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

INTRODUCTION: God our Father, open our hearts and minds this Advent to the

greatness of the love you show for us by sending your Son, Jesus

Christ. We pray for your guiding light as we begin to prepare for

Christmas. • Help us to prepare for the coming of Jesus in our prayers at home, at school

and at mass. May God our Father show us how to live like Jesus. Lord, Hear

Us. • Let us give thanks for the past year: for the things we have learnt, for the

fun we have had, for the skills we have gained, for the help we have had,

and for the friends we have made. Lord, Hear Us. • Let us pray for our families, our friends and all who are with us during this

Advent. May we come to know the baby Jesus together. Lord, Hear Us. • Let us pray for children around the world for whom Christmas is not a time

of celebration. We remember children who are hungry, who are homeless

and who are sick. Lord, Hear Us. • Let us pray for the world: for an end to terrorism, for peace where there is

war, for healing where there is hurt, for food where there is hunger, for care

for the environment, and for respect for all human life. Lord, Hear Us. • Let us pray for those who are far away from home this Christmas. May

they feel close to Christ this Christmas. Lord, Hear Us.

• Let us pray for ourselves and for the future: for a happy holiday time, for

safety for those who travel, for families and friends, for help and guidance

in the new school year, and for continuing growth in faith and hope and

love. Lord, Hear Us. • Let us pray for all who have died, especially those close to us whom we

remember and miss, that eternal peace may be theirs. Lord, Hear Us.

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CONCLUSION: Hear us, heavenly Father, as we offer our prayers to you – the prayers we have said,

and the silent prayers of our hearts. Help us, this Advent, to know you better. We ask

these and all our prayers through the power of Christ, who lives and reigns forever

and ever. Amen.

CAROL: Joy to the World (Alive-O7, p.306)

CLOSING PRAYER Lord, our God, we have travelled through the account of Christmas, through the

stories of those who were there and witnessed the happy events. Help us to learn

from them and from each other as we prepare for the great feast of Christmas. We ask

this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

BLESSING LEADER: May God give us light to guide us, courage to support us, and love to

unite us. Let us bless the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

CAROL: O Come All Ye Faithful (Alive-O7, p.307)

WRITE YOUR FAVOURITE CAROL ON THE BOOK

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Go raibh maith agat, a Dhia, Chuir tú Íosa chugainn.

Rugadh é lá Nollag, Is é mo chara buan é.

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CHRISTMAS BOOKMARKS Below are some Christmas bookmarks that you can use yourself or as presents for family and friends. Photocopy the bookmarks onto card or coloured paper, cut them out, and decorate them. Use a hole-puncher to make a hole near the top, and attach a ribbon or piece of string. You can personalise the bookmarks by writing your own Christmas greeting or message on the back.

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SANTA

Join the dots and colour the picture!

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CCHRISTMASHRISTMAS AAROUNDROUND THETHE WWORLDORLD

PPOLANDOLAND

Polish people often celebrate a special supper called ‘Wigilia’ on Christmas Eve.

The celebration begins with a prayer, followed by the breaking of the

Christmas wafer, called the ‘oplatek’, which is shared among those present.

Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia!

BBRAZILRAZIL

Many Brazilian people make a nativity scene or Presépio. The word comes from the Hebrew word "presepium" which means the bed of straw upon which Jesus first slept in Bethlehem. Papai Noel (Father Christmas) brings the gifts in Brazil. He lives in Greenland. December is in the middle of summer in Brazil and so Santa wears silk clothes to help him stay cool.

Feliz Natal

MMEXICOEXICO

In Mexico, they have a special celebration called ‘La Posada’.

Two children are chosen to represent Mary and Joseph, and they go from door to door to look for a place to stay. When they are finally let in, they have

a party and break a piñata!

Feliz Navidad!

IIRELANDRELAND

Lighted candles are placed in windows on Christmas Eve, as a sign of hospitality.

It is also a symbolic guide for Mary and Joseph, who may be looking for shelter.

Nollaig Shona Duit!

Do any children in your class have a Christmas tradition from the country in which they or their

parents were born?

Make a chart of all the ways Christmas is celebrated in your class

or even in your school!

Find out how others say ‘Happy Christmas’

in their native languages.

CCHINAHINA

Christians in China celebrate by decorating their houses with beautiful

paper lanterns and decorating their Christmas trees, which they call ‘Trees of Light’, with paper chains, paper flowers,

and paper lanterns.

Chinese Children hang muslin stockings and await a visit from Santa Claus, whom

they call ‘Dun Che Lao Ren’.

圣诞快乐 新年快乐 (shèngdàn kuàilè xīnnián kuàilè)

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CELEBRATING THE YEAR FOR PRIESTS JUNE 19TH, 2009 – JUNE 11TH, 2010

"Curé of Ars": Saint John Mary Vianney

Pope Benedict XVI has made this year a year to pray for priests. He said that the reason for this was that 2009 was the 150th anniversary of the death of the patron of priests, St John Marie Vianney. Pope Benedict said, “I think of all those priests who quietly present Christ’s words and actions each day to the faithful and to the whole world, striving to be one with the Lord in their thoughts and their will, their sentiments and their style of life. How can I not pay tribute to their apostolic labours, their tireless and hidden service, their universal charity? And how can I not praise the courageous fidelity of so many priests who, even amid difficulties and incomprehension, remain faithful to their vocation as “friends of Christ”, whom he has called by name, chosen and sent?” St John Marie Vianney was born in 1786 near the city of Lyons in France. He wasn’t a very good student in school or when he was training for the priesthood, but he was ordained to the priesthood in 1815 and was sent to a small parish called Ars. As a result of popularity he became known as the Curé of Ars. Curé is the French word for parish priest. He became well known, not because he was rich or clever, but because people noticed how much he prayed, how simply he lived and how reverent he was when he was celebrating mass. He was told before he went to Ars that there wasn’t much faith there. However, the Curé began to instruct people in the faith, began to teach them about Jesus, and helped them to live their lives according to Christian values – by loving God, and our neighbour. As a result of this, it was said that up to 20,000 people a year came to him from every part of France to see him, to go to confession to him, and to come to mass. He once talked about the difference between our private prayers and the prayers that we say when we come to mass: “Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there: If you set it on fire it makes a lot of little flames. But gather these straws into a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising like a column into the sky; public prayer is like that.” St John Marie Vianney lived and worked in Ars until he was 73 years of age. He worked hard in his parish and with all the people who came to see him and to hear

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him preach. He continued to live a simple life and he died peacefully on August 4th 1859. His feast is celebrated on that day. Like Pope Benedict said, the Year of Prayer for Priests is an opportunity to pray for priests, both those we know in our own parish and those who are working in difficult situations and ministries throughout the world.

SUGGESTIONS: • Ask the school chaplain or the local priest to come and talk about his ministry

• Contact “Children Helping Children” http://www.childrenhelpingchildren.ie/ about the possibility of a missionary priest coming to your school to talk about his work.

• Organise a tour of the church to talk about what a priest does there. • Pray a prayer for the priests in your parish during the morning prayers at school • Pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and the religious life. • Look at the sections in the Alive-O programme on priesthood (Alive-O8

Term 1, Lesson 12, p.85) and the sections of the video/DVD relating to priesthood.

PRAYER God our Father, We pray for Fr. ______________ Help him to be a good and holy priest. Guide him in the work that he does in our school and in our parish. Help him to know that it is through your love and guidance that he will accomplish all that is asked of him. Bless his family and all who minister with him. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

Make a Christmas Card for your priest/s You can celebrate the year for priests by making a Christmas card for your priest. Just photocopy the next page onto card or coloured paper, and cut it out. Fold it over in the middle and write a message for your priest on the inside. Remind your priest that you are praying for him during this special year, and thank him for being your priest.

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Jesus Wise Men Star Crown

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY JANUARY 6TH

Use the key below to help you to tell the story of the Epiphany.

At the time was born, three saw a .

The knew that the would lead them to a

new king, so the followed the . When the

came to Jerusalem, they asked where to find the new

king, . told the to go to Bethlehem where

the new king would be born, but began to worry.

didn't want a new king to take his place, so

told the to come back and tell him about

. didn't want to be more powerful than he.

When the found , they knelt down and offered their

gifts to him. That night, God spoke to the in

a dream and told them not to return to . So

the went home another way.

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LLOOKINGOOKING FORFOR MMOREORE??

Below are the addresses of some websites where you can find more Advent and Christmas resources. Good Luck!

www.dltk-holidays.com/xmas/index.html www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/teacher/christmas.html Two sites full of lots of Christmas activities for children including colouring pages, crafts, games, puzzles, poems, prayers, songs, worksheets and much more!

Resources to help you make a Jesse Tree and printable symbols are available from: http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=1628 http://www.catholicmom.com/lesson_plan.advent. http://www.associatedcontent.com/topic/51327/jesse_tree http://www.associatedcontent.com/topic/105509/adventwreath

Word Searches & Crossword puzzles for middle and senior classes: www.puzzle-club.com/christmas-word-search-carols.html Christmas carols word search http://www.rscm-bristol-swindon.co.uk/words/advent%20word%20search.pdf Advent word search http://www.churchyear.net/adventpuzzint. An interactive, on-line Advent crossword for Senior Classes http://homeschooling.about.com/od/holidays/ss/nativityprint_9 A combination of word searches, crosswords, colouring pictures etc with different levels of difficulty

www.topmarks.co.uk/christianity/nativity/index.htm An ever-popular, interactive telling

of the Nativity Story for junior classes. Perfect for use on interactive whiteboards,

or individual computers

http://www.carols.org.uk/

A website containing the words and music of the most popular Christmas carols. Read the

words and sing along as the music plays!

Great for senior classes! Perfect for use either on interactive whiteboards or individual computers

For teacher: Check out www.sacredspace.ie for a daily

prayer for Advent