Preparations in the Advent Gospels

We know that Advent celebrates three “comings” of Jesus: in the past, in the present, and in the future. The Sunday Gospels give us an opportunity to teach children about each of these. They can look forward to Jesus coming again, prepare to recognize Jesus acting in their lives every day, and plan to celebrate, with great joy, the historical event of his birth.

November 29: First Sunday of Advent
Prepare for Jesus’ Second Coming
What does it mean that Jesus will come again? What will he do? Why is he coming? Explore with children this topic of Jesus’ second coming. Teach them not to fear it, but to welcome it as a great homecoming. Let them share their experiences of reunions: family picnics, school homecomings, and vacation reunions with friends who have moved away. What is it like to see relatives, friends, and classmates again after a time apart?

This Sunday we think about preparing for Jesus who is coming to have a reunion with his family of faith. Have the children write invitations to this reunion and plan to distribute them to members of the Church community. Include what to expect at the gathering and how to prepare for it. Leave the date open, since we don’t know exactly when Jesus is coming.

December 6 and 13: Second and Third Sundays of Advent
Prepare for Jesus’ Public Ministry
During mid-Advent, we encounter John the Baptist who was preparing people to recognize Jesus when he came among them with God’s saving message. Talk with children about who helps them to know that Jesus is with them. What does Jesus teach us about loving, forgiving, and helping? Let them draw pictures of how people act when they hear what Jesus teaches. Lead them in a prayer, asking God to bless all those who help us to see Jesus in our lives.

Talk about how the children could be John the Baptist for others. Let them list on a board the ways they can prepare other people to see Jesus. Have them make “herald in the desert” signs and wear them when they point out how Jesus is acting in our world today.

December 20: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Prepare for Jesus’ Birth
Children get excited about birthdays. They will enjoy sharing stories about their own or others they have celebrated. They like parties, the gifts, and the visits from friends. Discuss Mary’s visit with Elizabeth and how excited they both must have been as they talked about having their babies soon. Then imagine how Mary felt after that visit as she continued to wait for Jesus’ birth. Have the children write letters as they pretend to be Mary or Joseph writing to Elizabeth or Zachary after that visit. How are they getting ready for the birthday? How did Mary’s visit help them to prepare?

Encourage the children to visit someone they know who is pregnant and listen to how that mother is getting ready. What are her hopes and dreams for her child?

Jesus comes in many ways. He was present in history, he lives in us daily, and we can look forward to meeting him at the end of time. These are all elements of faith that give children satisfaction and excitement.

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Sister Karen Berry, a Joliet Franciscan, is the director of a family program of religious education at Saint Frances Cabrini Parish (cabrinitucson.com) in Tucson, Arizona. She is a freelance writer for Catholic magazines and the Diocese of Tucson’s newspaper, The New Vision (newvisiononline.org). Her book, Prayer Services for Parishes (tinyurl.com/5mzg6x), is published by St. Anthony Messenger Press (americancatholic.org).