Primary Session
Primary Session
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Dear Jesus,
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas,
open our eyes to your presence all around us.
Help us to celebrate your birth by showing love to others.
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.
Opening Life Reflection
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent the theme is the Incarnation. To begin, invite the children to create a chain of love for Christmas. Cut enough pieces of red and green construction paper 1” x 4” so that each child has three strips. Invite the children to write on each strip of paper one way that they can show love to others. You might want to begin the chain by showing examples of good deeds or acts of kindness written on paper strips and staple them together to start the first links of the chain. Invite the children to add their links to the chain and watch it grow to represent how we can all share the joy of Jesus’ birth with others. Discuss:
• What is your favorite part of celebrating Christmas?
• Why is Christmas a joyful celebration?
• How can you share the joy of Jesus’ birth with others?
Allow time for discussion. At Christmas we celebrate God’s coming to us through Jesus Christ. Acts of love and kindness help us to recognize that Jesus is present in the world around us.
Listening to the Word of God
In the gospel today, the angel Gabriel brings Mary wonderful news. Listen to find out what happens.
Read Luke 1:26-38.
Allow for silence.
Scripture Discussion Starters
• Why does God send the angel Gabriel to Mary?
• What wonderful news does the angel bring?
• Why does the angel tell Mary not to be afraid?
• What is Mary’s final response to the great news?
Scripture Background
Provide 2-3 minutes of background information on the gospel using the Catechist Background section.
In today’s gospel the angel Gabriel brings Mary great news. The angel announces that Mary will bear a son and he will be named Jesus. At first, Mary is confused and frightened by the angel’s message. But the angel calms her fears and explains that God is with her.
The author of today’s gospel makes the point that by the power of the Holy Spirit Mary was to bear God’s son. This reveals the miraculous nature of the birth of Jesus. Mary’s final answer to God’s call is yes and she responds, “Let it be done to me according to your word.” Mary’s faithful response allows God to be born in the person of Jesus.
Questions for Deeper Reflection
• Why is Mary at first afraid?
• How is Mary comforted by the angel’s message?
• Who helps you to understand that God is with you?
• How does Mary show great faith in God?
[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]
Doctrinal Discussion Starters
Incarnation
The Incarnation is our belief that God came into our world. Through the birth of Jesus Christ, God came to us. In the Nicene Creed we confess our belief that God “came down from heaven and by the power of the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and became man.”
We believe that the coming of Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of God given to Abraham and Sarah. We believe that in the one person Jesus Christ, God and humanity are united. Jesus is at the same time human and divine.
The Incarnation is a powerful event in the history of the world because in the person of Jesus Christ, God and humanity are one. God became flesh to show us how to live as children of God. The Incarnation shows the great love that God has for us.
• What is the Incarnation?
• How does the Incarnation show God’s love for us?
• How does Jesus show us how to live as children of God?
Sacrament Connection
In the Sacrament of Baptism we are incorporated into the life of Christ. We share in God’s own life and are reborn as sons and daughters of God.
The Gospel in Life
How can you put the chain of love into action this week?
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