December 2011

Prepare the Way for the Lord!

Planning and preparation is half the fun of any celebration and this season is no different. Setting up the Nativity scene is our children's favorite Advent activity. Each morning, the kids come down the stairs and say "good morning" to the baby Jesus. Even when they're very young, kids seem to know that Advent is a time of joyful anticipation of the birth of Jesus. Of course, as Christians we know that the real preparation of the season must take place in our hearts. This month's offerings here at Teaching Catholic Kids are designed to help kids and families celebrate Advent with simplicity and joy.

From all of us at Our Sunday Visitor, may your season be filled with the blessings of Christ Jesus!

E-mail Heidi

--Heidi Busse and the OSV staff
Share your suggestions and questions

This month on Teaching Catholic Kids

New feature! December at a Glance (PDF download)

Activity One: (Grades K-5): Celebrations Table for December/Advent

Activity Two (Grade 6 and up): Trust in God's Embrace

Questions:

When have you found it most difficult to trust God? How do you feel when you "give God your worries?" How can we trust God more this Christmas season?
How do you feel when you "give God your worries?"
How can we trust God more this Christmas season?

Lifelong Catechesis Corner:
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Luke 1:26-38: Blessed are You among Women
The annunciation story in the Gospel of Luke presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the messianic hope. In this passage, Mary of Nazareth humbly accepts the will of God, revealed by the angel Gabriel. Luke's Gospel highlights Mary's special role in God's plan of salvation.
Advent activities online at Lifelong Catechesis page.

Catholic Stewardship for Kids:

Holiday Service Project -- Begin a holiday service project with a collection of socks on St. Nicholas Day. Encourage families to send in new socks in child and adult sizes for the children to fill. Before filling the socks, put one sock inside the other to keep them together. Fill with soaps, toothbrushes, wrapped candy, small toys, pens, prayer cards, printed Band-Aids, etc. After filling them gather the top of the sock together and tie with a ribbon. Deliver to your local shelter.

Soul Food for Teachers: Reflection: Hope is in the Way

Catechist Know-How: Titles for Mary from Mary Lou Rosien

Prayer

The people that walked in darkness
have seen a great light! (Isaiah 9:1-2)
God of compassion,
be with us in these long and dark days
as we await the birth of your son, Jesus.
Amen.

Also on www.TeachingCatholicKids.com: