Early Childhood Education: December 2011

Advent pantomime

By Anne Neuberger

Help children understand that Advent is about waiting for the birth of Jesus by telling them the nativity story little by little. Here the story is told in four parts, one for each week of Advent.

Combine these stories with the lighting of the Advent wreath candles— tell the first story in the first week of Advent and then light the first candle, etc.

In telling the stories, you will pantomime the words you speak, and the children will imitate your motions.

The First Week of Advent: Mary and the Angel

Story: Movements:

Long ago, there lived a young woman named Mary. She would soon be married to Joseph.

Stand and have the children stand.

One day, when Mary was home alone, an angel appeared to her! She was so surprised!

Jump back as if startled, put your hand over mouth in surprise.

It was the great archangel, Gabriel.

Straighten your arms, hold them slightly out from your sides, move arms a bit to look like wings.

The angel said, "God loves you very much, Mary."

Hug yourself.

"Because of that, something special will happen. You will have a baby boy."

Hold your arms as if cradling a baby.

"Name him Jesus. He will be God's own baby and he will be very great!"

Gesture upwards to indicate God, then spread your arms out, palms up to show greatness.

Mary was astonished

Draw in your breath, and put both hands on your cheeks.

But she told Gabriel, "I will do what God asks of me."

Point to yourself and nod your head.

Light one candle. Explain that you will wait until next week to hear the next part of story. Sing a song or say a prayer as you sit with the candle for a few moments.

The Second Week of Advent: Mary and Her Cousin

Review with children the story from the previous week.

Mary decided to visit her cousin Elizabeth.

Mime walking.

Both women were expecting babies. Mary's baby was Jesus. Elizabeth's baby, John, would become a great saint.

Hold your arms as if cradling a baby.

Mary wondered if Elizabeth would understand that the Angel Gabriel had said Mary's baby would be God's child too.

Put your chin into the palm of one hand and look puzzled.

When Mary arrived, she called out to Elizabeth.

Put a cupped hand to your mouth.

Elizabeth came quickly. She was so happy to see Mary! They hugged.

Hug yourself.

Elizabeth said, "Welcome, Mary! You are full of God's grace! Blessed is your child! When I heard your voice, my baby inside of me jumped for joy!"

Jump.

The Elizabeth said, "I am honored that the mother of my Lord has come to see me."

Bow.

Elizabeth had understood that Jesus was God's child! And her baby had too! "God has done great things for me," Mary exclaimed.

Hold out your arms, palms up and look upward.

Light two candles. Explain that you will wait until next week to hear the next part of story. Sing a song or say a prayer as you sit with the candles for a few moments.

The Third Week of Advent: Mary and Joseph and a Little Donkey

Review with children the stories from the previous weeks.

It would soon be time for Baby Jesus to be born and Mary and Joseph had a problem. They had to travel to a small town called Bethlehem.

Put your hand to your forehead to mime worry.

Could they drive in their car? No, for there were no cars back then!

Did they fly in an airplane? No, for there were no planes either!

Did they take a train? No, there were no trains!

Shake your head after each question.

What they did have was a donkey. Joseph held the little donkey still while Mary climbed onto its back. Slowly, slowly they traveled to Bethlehem. It must have been a bumpy ride for Mary.

Mime sitting on the donkey by swaying back and forth and bumping up and down once or twice.

When they reached Bethlehem, they found there were many other travelers there. Every place was crowded. They looked and looked for a place to stay.

Shade your eyes and look from side to side.

Finally, they found a place that was a kind of cave used for animals to sleep. They made themselves as comfortable as they could there and rested.

Take in a deep breath and put your head to one side and close your eyes.

Light three candles. Explain that you will wait until next week to hear the last part of story. Sing a song or say a prayer as you sit with the candles for a few moments.

The Fourth Week in Advent: Mary and Baby Jesus and Some Visitors.

Review with children the story from the previous week.

In the stable for animals, Mary and Joseph stayed. There they welcomed Baby Jesus into the world! What a wonderful gift to this world— to all of us!

Rejoice by jumping up and down and clapping your hands.

God wanted others to know about the gift of Jesus. So God sent many angels to earth to sing and rejoice.

Flap your arms like wings and dance around a bit.

Not far from where Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus were, some shepherds and their sheep were spending the night outside.

Sit down and put your cheek into your palm and close your eyes.

All of a sudden, the sky above them was filled with angels! The shepherds were startled! Some were frightened.

Still sitting, open your eyes wide, point upwards and show astonishment or fear.

But the angels calmed them down and told them about a baby born nearby that had been sent by God to us all.

Clap your hands to show that the shepherds understand.

So the shepherds went to the stable. They found Baby Jesus asleep. He was in the arms of his mother, Mary, and she was smiling at him, this most special baby from God.

Hold your arms as if cradling a baby and smile.

Light all four candles. Now that you have waited all these weeks, there is only a little time left to wait until you celebrate the birth of Jesus!

Sing a song or say a prayer as you sit with the candles for a few moments.

Check out Anne's website at www.anneneuberger.com and see her latest book, "All God's Children"(Twenty-Third Publications, $14.95), a Catholic Press award winner. Anne is also co-author of Allelu!, OSV's new early childhood curriculum (http://www.allelu.com/).