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2006 Advent/Christmas
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Preparing Children for the Sundays of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
Receiving the Prophetic, Priestly and Royal Gift of Children
Gospel Talk With Children: That We Might Become Divine
Music Suggestions: Year C

Patricia M. McCormack, I.H.M.

Wise advice once offered to me: “Learn something from everything, even if it is what not to be!” We can learn much from Mary, the handmaid of the Lord, but Herod, first persecutor of Jesus, also has much to teach us! Rich with prophecies and promises, dreamers and searchers, the winter Gospels can offer catechists a curriculum for character formation. By reflecting on the traits of a Scripture personality and observing attitudes, behaviors and consequences of choices, people of all ages can set goals for personal growth. (See TLC Fall 2004, Gospel ABCs: Attitudes, Behaviors and Consequences within a Gospel Story) Though the winter liturgical season is brief (First Sunday of Advent, December 3, to the celebration of Jesus’ Baptism, January 7), the scriptural figures, scenarios and advice of Advent and Christmastime offer abundant opportunity to grow in Christian character.

Gospel of Luke (Year C)
The liturgical cycle always begins with the First Sunday of Advent. This year the Gospel of Luke (Year C) will tutor our hearts. Luke reveals a Jesus who “went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him” (Acts of the Apostles 10:38). More than the other three Gospels, Luke emphasizes the mercy and compassion of Jesus, the role of the Spirit in the life of Jesus, the importance of prayer and respectful concern for women. These themes will emerge through the Sunday Gospels of 2007, mostly during Ordinary Time.

A Profile of Christian Character
The winter readings, however, focus on prophecies fulfilled, the Infancy Narratives, Epiphany events, and the Holy Family. Christmastime concludes with the Baptism of Jesus. I urge catechists to help students of all ages to combine the lessons of the season’s Sunday Gospels into a profile of Christian character. Lead the children to identify and practice the positive traits that emerge from the stories and to cite contemporary examples of those virtues.

Involving the Children
• On a dedicated bulletin board, a mobile tri-fold presentation board, or portable easel draw an Advent wreath or create three-dimensional paper candles. Encircle the wreath with paper holly leaves or evergreen boughs. When a character trait emerges in the readings of the Sunday liturgy, discuss its application to student life and write the word on a wreath leaf.

• Place an empty stable crib on the classroom prayer table. Keep paper pieces of hay available. As character-qualities surface write them on straw pieces and begin to fill the crib.

• Draw the Advent wreath or crib on 8.5" x 11" paper and duplicate for each student or have students draw their own. For each Gospel trait practiced, the student can label the leaf or straw and/or color it. Let it build throughout the season.

• Write one trait with its Scripture citation per tree ball and decorate the classroom tree.

• Place a mini-easel on the classroom prayer table. Use it to feature the week’s character traits.

Look beyond words. Explore traits that shape Christian character. For instance, “The days are surely coming when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (Jeremiah 33:14). A possible conclusion? Keep my promises.

Look at personality traits to emulate. For instance, Gabriel: be a messenger of God’s will. Mary: be non-defensive and thoughtful of others. Elizabeth: become better rather than bitter through disappointment. Zachary: learn that nothing is impossible for God. Joseph: act with justice and charity. What character traits do you extract from these various figures and stories? There is no one expected answer. Others to consider: Inn-keeper, proclamation angels, stable animals, census donkey, manger, shepherds, wise men, Herod, advisors, Holy Innocents, Simeon, Anna, Egypt, the Holy Family on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and John the Baptist. All have lessons to teach us. Possibilities abound to profile Christian character.

Patricia M. McCormack, Ed.D., is an associate of the Center for Catholic Education at Catholic University, Washington, DC. She taught in elementary and secondary schools, served as elementary school principal and directed teacher education at the collegiate level. She speaks and writes frequently on topics of formation education.