Christmas

Christmas Adventure

Jesus is born.

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke 2, 6-7

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

With the help of the puppets, the children retell the nativity story. Many families meet for lunch. If they are meeting at your home, the children may tell the story, before or after lunch.

Many years ago, Jesus was born in Bethlehem. However, Jesus would also like to be born in us too. How can we allow Jesus to be born in us? Jesus wants us to love one another, Jesus does not like fighting or lies. So, to allow Jesus to be born in us, we need to love each other, say the truth, help each other and be friends.

  1. Make a Christingle, and this week, use it during your prayer time (see below)
  2. Put a lot of candles around the crib, switch off the light, and sing Silent Night, in the light of the candles
  3. Print the Christmas picture on construction paper, cut over the indicated lines, so that you will have a puzzle. Help the children to make the picture. (see below)
  4. Cut a cake, whilst singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
ChristingleDownload
PuzzleDownload

The best way to celebrate Christmas, is by going to mass together, either to the midnight mass or during Christmas day. Mass is the best prayer we can every say.  During this week, use the Christingle to help you pray.

Light the candle, and during different days, create prayers focusing on its symbolism. For example:

The candle

Ask: Why is Jesus our light? Can we be light for others (parents are light for their children when they teach them what is good, children can be light to others, when they are of good example)

  • Jesus, you are our light. You show us what is right and what is wrong. You help us to make right choices, even when this is difficult. Help us to be good children and in this way, we too, will be light for others. Amen.

The red ribbon 

Ask: How do we know that Jesus, loves us? (Jesus became man, like us, he taught us how to be good people, he died on the cross, because he loves us, so that when we too, will one day die, we can join him in heaven). How can we love others? How can we love Jesus? (when we do what is right, we are loving Jesus)

  • Jesus,  you love us a great deal. Teach us how we can love our parents, our brothers and sisters, our grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins and friends. Jesus, I would like to pray for those children who have no one to love them. Please send someone to them to be their friend, so that they too will be loved. Thank you, Jesus. 

The orange

Can you mention some other country, apart from Malta? Is there a country you would like to visit? Why?

  • Jesus, not all countries live in peace. We would like to pray for these countries. Please let the wars stop. We pray for the countries with poor people, so that those who have a lot of money, help these poor people. We want to pray for the sick, so that they may be healed. We pray for those who are lonely, so that they may find friends… (continue with other examples)

Fruit/Seasons

Which is your favourite season? Why? Which is the season you prefer least? Why?

Which fruit do you like best? Why? Sweets? Food you like most?

  • Lord God, you love us, so much! You give us the different seasons, so that it is not always very hot, or very cold, you give us fruit to eat and be healthy. Thank you God, you give us all these things, because you love us. You gave us parents, to love us and take care of us, you gave us our brothers, sisters and friends, to play with … (continue with other examples)

Download and prepare from below:

SheepDownload
ShepherdsDownload