The Family Zone
Lectionary-Based Playlist /Issue 37/December 13, 2020
"I rejoice heartily in the LORD, in my God is the joy of my soul..."
Watch this 3 minute video to better understand this special day in the Advent season!
READ!
Family Stories:
- Joy by Corrinne Averiss
Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed - by Emily Pearson
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, by Tomie DePaola
Carlos, Light the Farolito by Jean Ciavonne and Donna Clair
Parent Article:
Contemplate the gift of Mary's Yes with this article on Mother Mary (see the pdf "My Soul Proclaims" link below)
For Teens: What would the Nativity scene of your life look like? https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/family/catholic-teens/religious-art/nativity-scenes/
Write!
- When Mary went to see her cousin Elizabeth, Elizabeth calls Mary and the fruit of her womb, Jesus, blessed. Mary replies with a song of praise we now call the Magnificat. Read the Magnificat together and write your own song of praise to God; what wonderful things can you name?
- St. John of the Cross, whose feast day is December 14, was a poet, among other things. Write an Advent poem in honor of him! You could make an acrostic poem, a haiku, or even a free verse poem. To learn about different poetic forms, you can visit: https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/children/2019/oct/different-types-of-poetry-for-kids.html
- Do you know all the words to the Hail Mary? Hold a contest with a family member and see who can write all the words to the Hail Mary prayer , correctly, first!
- Mary said YES. Write a paragraph about how you believe you are being asked to say YES to God in your life.
- Create a mind map about how you can bring God's joy to others. Use this graphic organizer with the word JOY in the middle to get you started! https://callowayhouse.com/media/downloadable/Web_Organizer.pdf
LISTEN!
PRAY!
Have you ever prayed the O Antiphons? They are an ancient prayer prayed between December 17 and December 23. It is a short prayer every day that you can pray at the dinner table or in front of your crèche to fully prepare your hearts for the birth of Christ!
And, as always, we invite you to pray and reflect on this week's psalm!WATCH!
Play!
- An angel told Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus! Play the angel game in honor of the Angel Gabriel! http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-angel-game.html
- Create a Nativity Sensory Bin for small children: https://www.growinghandsonkids.com/nativity-sensory-bin.html
- Create a Nativity invitation to play: https://www.thechaosandtheclutter.com/archives/nativity-playdough-invitation-to-play
Create!
Have a Las Posadas Party for your family at home!
Decorate with your nativity and poinsettias. Enjoy some Mexican food and music. Fill a piñata for the kids to break open. Dress the kids up as Mary and Joseph and gather some battery operated candles and parade through your house stopping from door to door to ask if there is room at the inn. End at the manger and share this prayer together:
WONDER!
- Am I extraordinary? How has God given me special gifts?
- What would I do if God called me to do something amazing and uncertain?
- What's the difference between happiness and joy?
- John the Baptist was very humble and said that one would be coming whose sandal straps he wasn't fit to untie. How can I take use the witness of John the Baptist and be more humble in my life?
WORD OF THE WEEK!
Office of Evangelization and Catechesis
Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester
Debtor in PossessionEmail: oec@dor.org
Website: oec.dor.org
Location: Diocese of Rochester, Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: 585-328-3210