1. Weekly Celebration and Gospel Activity
For Parents
To prepare yourself for introducing the January Gospel stories to your children, watch the two videos from The Gospel Project.
Week One: Epiphany - Three Kings, January 6, 2019
Symbol of the WeekTake the statues of the three kings, the baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph from your creche and create a centerpiece on your table to remember the Epiphany story all week.
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They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures
and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Sunday Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/010619.cfm Read a children's version of the Sunday Gospel Story: www.dltk-bible.com/cv/the_wise_men.htm Do a coloring page together for Epiphany.
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Week Two: Baptism of the Lord Sunday, January 13, 2019
Symbol of the WeekPlace a bowl of water and the baptism candles of your children and create a centerpiece on your table to remember the Baptism of the Lord story all week.
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After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."
Sunday Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/011319.cfm Read a children's version of the Baptism of the Lord: www.dltk-bible.com/cv/jesus_is_baptized-cv.htm Do a coloring page together for Baptism of the Lord. ![]()
Family Activity: Your Baptism DayShare with each of your children the story of their baptism day to celebrate their new life in Christ and embrace their relationship with God as their Father and Creator.
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Week Three: The Wedding Feast at Cana, January 20, 2019
Symbol of the WeekPlease one or more clay jars on the dinner table or central place in the house.
Have a special meal during the week. Celebrate with wine for the adults and grape juice with the children. Tell the story of Jesus turning water into wine, watch the video, and draw a color page. |
Sunday Gospel: John 2:1-11: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012019.cfm
Take a few moments as a parent to reflect on the Gospel of The Wedding Feast at Cana: www.americanbible.org/resources/lectio-divina Read the Sunday Gospel Story together: John 2:1-11 Do a coloring page together for the Wedding Feast at Cana.
Watch a video together of Jesus turning water into wine. (From ShareFaithKids)
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Week Four: Jesus on a Mission, January 27, 2019
Symbol of the WeekThis week place a Bible open to Luke 4 at the center of the table. Read the Gospel story of Jesus' mission several times during the week. Use a children's Bible if possible.
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Parent Preparation: To familiarize yourself with this Sunday's Gospel from Luke 4, watch the Luke 4 section from Chapter 3-9 video from The Gospel Project. Go to the "Just for Parents" page.
Sunday Gospel: Luke 4: 1:1-4 and 4:14-21: www.usccb.org/bible/readings/012719.cfm Take a few moments as a parent to reflect on the Gospel of The Wedding Feast at Cana: www.americanbible.org/resources/lectio-divina Read the Sunday Gospel Story together: Luke 4:14-21 Do a coloring page together for Luke 4:14-21. ![]()
Family Activity: A Family Mission StatementInspired by Jesus' mission as presented in Luke 4:14-21, develop a family mission statement using the guide from Bruce Feiler's book, The Secrets of Happy Families. Post the mission statement in a prominent place in the house.
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2. Reflecting on the Day
Begin a tradition of guiding your children to reflect on their day using these questions. Find a good time toward the end of the day, such as dinner time, story time, or bedtime.
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3. Praying through the Day
Use these simple prayers to begin a daily routine of prayer with your children. Check-out the suggestions and article below to assist you in praying with your children.
Sign of the Cross Begin all prayer with the Sign of the Cross: In the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen Prayer in the Morning Oh Loving God I give you this day All that I do and say. I give you my love with Jesus your Son. Today I will try to love everyone. Amen Prayer at Meal Times Begin meals with a short thanksgiving prayer. Here are two blessings that you can use. Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts which we are about to receive from your goodness through Christ our Lord. Bless our home. Bless this food. Feed our spirits with the bread of life, and help us to know your peace at this table, then as we work and play and sleep. Prayer at Bedtime Use bedtime to begin a daily prayer and blessing ritual. There is no age too young for a blessing. Begin to bless your children at bedtime for the very first day of life! Say to you child, Mommy or Daddy is going to say a night time blessing now. Place your hand on the child's head and shoulder and say a short blessing. Use one of the examples or create your own.
Additional PrayersFor Parents: Teaching Toddlers & Preschoolers to Pray |
(From: www.joyinthehome.com/how-to-teach-toddlers-and-preschoolers-to-pray) Check out the article: Creating A Rhythm of Prayer in the Life of a Preschooler at orangeblogs.org/firstlook/creating-a-rhythm-of-prayer-in-the-life-of-a-preschooler. |
4. Learning our Faith
Here are a variety of learning activities that will help your children grow closer to God throughout the month. When you have 10 or 15 minutes experience one of these activities.
I L-O-V-E G-O-DParents introduce their toddlers to a world filled with letters, numbers, and other foundational education tools. Use the flashcards below to engage your child and family in learning the foundational language of faith.
Spell it out on a white erase board Draw it in sidewalk chalk Put it on the refrigerator Talk about the word at dinner - Take one each day and look at it at bedtime or mealtime. (You could use the same one for several days.) - Find a scripture or story that uses some of the words and read it with older children. - Make another set of cards and play a matching game. (By Olivia Bryan Updegrove) ![]()
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Purchase a Storybook Bible for Your Children
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Purchase The Jesus Storybook Bible. |
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