Children’s Liturgy(ORATORiO)
Fourth Sunday of Advent (Year B)
Sunday 24th December, 2023
Preparing the worship space.
Colour: Purple
Theme: A Jesse Wreath/
Props:, Jesse tree Or Advent wreat
==== 7:00 - 7:03 ====
Welcome: Today is the fourth and final Sunday of Adventt of year B, Advent is the season in which believers eagerly anticipate the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. The fourth Sunday of Advent we meditate on the peace that Jesus brings in our hearts.
And we are going to hear about how a very special messenger came to visit Mary to tell her that she was going to have a baby. Let’s think how we can be God’s messengers in the world too.
==== 7:00 - 7:03 ===
Entrance Song
Baby Jesus.
Baby Jesus, Baby Jesus,
I love you, I love you,
You are very special, You are very special,
In my life, in my life!.
Baby Jesus, Baby Jesus,
I love you, I love you,
You are my savior, You are my savior
Every day, Every day.
Ask: What was last week’s theme? Wreath/Pink candle
We heard some more about John the Baptist, who came to tell everyone to get ready for Jesus who is the light of the world. The Pink Candle represents Joy! Let’s think about what that means...
//V// In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
//R// Amen.
//V// May The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
And the love of God,
And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with you all.
//R// And with Your Spirit.
==== 7:03 - 7:08 ====
NEWS TIME :-)
==== 7:08 - 7:11 ====
Penitential Rite
Dear little children, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Confession of our sins
I confess to the Almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words
in what I have done and In what I have failed to do
-strike the breast 3 times as you say-
through my fault
through my fault
through my most grievous fault
THEREFORE I ask Blessed Mary Ever Virgin
all the Angels and Saints
and you, my brothers and sisters
to pray for me to the Lord our God…
Oh Lord Have Mercy
Have Mercy on us oh Lord
For we have sinned against you.
Show us, Oh Lord, your mercy
And grant us your salvation.
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart.
Lord have Mercy
Lord have Mercy
You came to sinners
Christ have mercy
Christ have mercy
You are seated at the right hand of the father to intercede for us.
Lord have mercy.3
Lord have mercy.
May the almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to life everlasting? AMEN.
==== 7:11 - 7:14 ====
With a loud voice lets sing the Gloria!
GLORIA
Because the Gloria is a prayer/song of joy, it is suppressed during Advent and is not heard until the vigil Mass of Christmas Eve.
Opening Prayer, God of all, you sent the angel Gabriel as your messenger to Mary. Help us to be your messengers in the world today. Amen.
=== 7:14 - 7:19 ====
Liturgy of the Word
First reading (optional): 2 Samuel 7:1-5
Let us now focus on our responsorial Psalm:
< My soul rejoices in the Lord..…> 3x
Introducing the Gospel
Say: And we are going to hear about how a very special messenger came to visit Mary to tell her that she was going to have a baby. Let’s think how we can be God’s messengers in the world too.
...with Alleluia!! –
WE SING WHILE STANDING AND WELCOME THE GOSPEL!!
Welcoming the Gospel;
Alle-llu, Alle-llu, Alle-llu, Alle-lluia,
Lets praise the Lord...
Alle-llu, Alle-llu, Alle-llu, Alle-lluia,
Lets praise the Lord...
Alle..lluia, Lets praise the Lord...
Alle..lluia, Lets praise the Lord...
Alle..lluia, Lets praise the Lord...
Alle..lluia, Lets praise the Lord...
The leader reading the gospel, silently says: “Cleanse our hearts and our lips almighty God, that we may worthily proclaim your Holy Gospel”.
The Leader starts:
-The Lord be with You,
-And with your Spirit.
A reading is from the Holy Gospel according to St. John.
Glory to You, O Lord
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee named Nazareth. He had a message for a young woman promised in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was a descendant of King David. Her name was Mary. The angel came to her and said, “Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you!”
Mary was deeply troubled by the angel's message, and she wondered what his words meant. The angel said to her, “Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end!”
Mary said to the angel, “I am a virgin. How, then, can this be?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and God's power will rest upon you. For this reason the holy child will be called the Son of God. Remember your relative Elizabeth. It is said that she cannot have children, but she herself is now six months pregnant, even though she is very old. For there is nothing that God cannot do.”
“I am the Lord's servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.
“The Gospel of the Lord”
All say “Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ”.
==== 7:19 - 7:24 ====
(*) Tell your prepared reflecting story to motivate the children, but according to the Gospel and at children’s level of understanding like in the suggestions below…
Gospel reflection:
Ask: What do you remember from today’s reading?
The angel Gabriel comes to tell Mary that she will have a very special baby, that he will be the Son of God and will be called Jesus. How do you think Mary felt when she heard this news? Mary was frightened at first. Her life was going to change forever. But she trusted in God and said “yes” to all that God asked of her.
Memory Verse:
“John 1:38 “…<“ 38 “I am the Lord's servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.”>...”x3
Let us stand up and we profess our faith.
Profession of our faith
I believe in God the Father, Almighty,
creator of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
--bow down--
Who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate;
was crucified, died and was buried:
He descended into hell:
The third day he rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven,
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From there He will come to judge the living and the dead:
I believe in the Holy Spirit:
the holy catholic church:
the communion of saints:
The forgiveness of sins:
The resurrection of the body:
And the life everlasting.
Amen.
==== 7:24 - 7:26 ====
Prayers of the Faithful . Now is the time to pray for our stuff :-) Intercessions.
You may want to ask the children to offer their own prayers, or you can use the suggestions here.
Prayer 1. We want to be like Mary and answer “yes” to God when he calls us, spreading God’s message of love and peace to all, and so we pray together:We pray for our Church all over the world: that she may carry God’s message of love by helping everyone in need. Lord, in your mercy...
Prayer 2. We pray for people in our world who try to share God’s message of peace and love with others: that they may the find strength to carry on even when it is difficult or dangerous. We pray to the Lord....
Prayer 3. We pray for our parish, family and friends: that we may listen to God’s message and share it with others in our words and in our actions. We pray to the Lord...
Prayer 4. God of love, help us to be your messengers on earth, showing your love for all people in everything that we do. Amen.We pray to the Lord...
==== 7:26 - 7:28 ====
Silently, each one tells God their petition.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen
==== 7:28 - 7:30 ====
Song Interlude: Walk Walk in the light, walk walk in the light, Sing as we give in our offertory and we walk to the big church...
NOTE-- after the song is sung, (and there is still some time), we pick the children that will perform next Sunday....
