Liturgical Time: Advent in second
year, to follow Annunciation
Doctrinal Points: . The prophet gives a three-fold message: - God has a wonderful
gift for us. - God loves us and wants to be with us. - God is coming here. . The prophet is one who listens deeply
to God and is empowered to speak for him. . Jesus is Emmanuel, God-with-us. . Jesus will be born of a Virgin - Mary. .
God works through the impossible circumstances to show God's love for us.
Direct Aims: . To lift up Jesus, the child
who is Emmanuel, God-with-us, and Mary, the virgin chosen to carry Jesus.
Indirect Aims: . To prepare for the celebration
of Christmas. . To give a sense of salvation history - that God prepares his people, reveals himself to his people and
has watched over his people throughout history. . To nurture prayer language. . To enhance greater participation in
Liturgy (GPL) through the introduction of traditional scriptures. . To nurture the sense of wonder and awe. . To lay
a foundation of respect for our Judaic heritage. . To prepare for later prophecies and infancy narratives. . To help
the child enter into the mystery of his/her relationship with God. . To introduce another name for Jesus - Emmanuel. .
To foster respect for all life.
Description of Materials
. Prophecy Card w/ words of the prophecy - "The Lord
your God will give you a sign. The Virgin shall be with child and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel" - neatly handwritten
using simple fonts (recognizable to young children - i.e. a, g) on 8x10 parchment style paper (showing a sense of age) within
an 11x14 photo mat in purple (color of Advent) . Prophecy card may include image of a star at the bottom of the card (or
aother appropriate image) . Prophecy card includes a citation in the lower right corner (biblical reference - Isaiah ) . Sturdy stand to hold the matted words . Prayer table prepared for
Advent with: (can be left empty if doing a procession) - A prayer cloth in rich purple fabric (some churches
may use blue for Advent) - A drape in the same purple cotton fabric to hang behind prayer table on decorative hooks (or
use a richly colored tapestry or an appropriate mounted picture to hang behind the prayer table. Perhaps it could be
a picture of the Good Shepherd.) - an Advent wreath (simple ring w/ or w/o greenery) or four candle holders - candles
for Advent wreath (3 purple and 1 pink) - matches, a tray for the spent matches - a snuffer
Preparation If you choose to do a procession: . Empty the prayer table before the children arrive. . Prepare for
a procession to prepare the prayer table by noting the number of items needed and the number of children available . Ask
who would like to carry each of the items for the table (If there are more children than objects to carry, tell the children
w/o anything to carry that they will be able to carry something the next time.) . Reverently process around the room, singing
an appropriate song and ending the procession at the prayer table. . Carefully have the children each place their item
on the prayer table and then take a seat for the presentation.
Introduction . Talk
about how we are getting closer to Christmas. . Talk about the season of Advent - what are we waiting for? - The birth
of Jesus. . Talk about the prophets - They lived in the Land
of Israel long before Jesus came. The prophets told the people
that someone was coming. The prophets are able to give us God's message because they first listened deeply to God. .
Recall the Prophecy of the Light. . Talk about the people of Israel
waiting so long - what are they waiting for?
Reading of Scripture with Meditation . Light the
three candles on the Advent wreath. Say, "The pink one is for joy." (not necessarily done on the 3rd week) .
Read the scripture in a slightly louder, but reverent voice. Be aware of posture. . Proclaim the scripture
reading, pause and look at the prayer table. . You could ask the children the following questions: - We
heard about a young woman who is going to have a child. Who do you think that baby will be? Boy or girl? Did you hear
his name? Emmanuel - God-with-us. How could there be a baby who is God-with-us? What does that name tell us about that child? -
Who do you think that woman would be? An angel came to her to tell her she would be the mother of the most high and that God
would be with us. Wonder how she felt, knowing this prophecy about the mother and the child? - When people heard this I
wonder how they felt because people were waiting a long time. - I think of how tiny a baby is and how big of a name Emmanuel
Prayerful Response: (possible response could be silence) . There is a song
we sing in church that reminds us of Emmanuel - "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" - or other appropriate song
of the Material: . Snuff the candles . Invite children to find work or dismiss to parents (if at end of session)
Work with the Materials: . Copying the prophecy . Original artwork . Creating a scroll (older children) using parchment
paper w/lines . Reading the prophecy . Sitting at prayer table
Children's Responses (notable things the children
say or do):