Advent & Christmas Stories • Generations of Faith

Revealing the Identity of Jesus

This small group session focuses on learning about Jesus through the readings of Advent and Christmas.

Praying through Advent & Christmas

This session explores how to pray during the Advent and Christmas seasons. In her consent to the angel Gabriel, "let it be with me according to your word" (Luke 1:38), Mary models for us the way to humbly respond in prayer to God's initiative in our lives. The Canticle of Mary, or the Magnificat, was her prayer of cooperating with the Father's plan of loving salvation. • By John Roberto

Preparing for the Messiah

​This session explores a central theme of the Advent season—preparing for the coming of the Messiah. The season of Advent challenges us to examine our understanding and expectations for the Messiah. It calls us to reflect on our own readiness and openness to welcome the Messiah into our lives and our world. The Advent Lectionary readings serve as our primary resource for understanding what kind of Messiah Jesus would be, and what that means for us. • By John Roberto

Becoming Community • FIRE

John the Baptist

The purpose of this session is to deepen participants' understanding of the person and mission of John the Baptist. Unique among the prophets, he was called both to tell it like it is and like it could be. He prepared the way for Jesus, as each of us is called to prepare the reign of God. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Journey Through Advent • Generations of Faith

Cycle C

A small group faith sharing resource based on the Advent readings from Cycle C.

Journey Through Advent • Generations of Faith

Cycle B

A small group faith sharing resource based on the Advent readings from Cycle B.

Journey Through Advent • Generations of Faith

Cycle A

A small group faith sharing resource based on the Advent readings from Cycle A.

Christmas Ornaments • Generations of Faith

Help children make Names of Jesus ornaments or Card Ornaments to get ready for the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Greeting Cards • Generations of Faith

Help children make Christmas greeting cards as a way to express their love and care for others.

Christmas Gift Giving • Generations of Faith

In this session, youth through adults will reflect on getting ready to celebrate Christmas and alternate gift-giving ideas.

Christmas Bookmark • Generations of Faith

Making Bible bookmarks for Christmas is an ideal project for younger children.

Advent Music Festival • Generations of Faith

Use music to help prepare participants for the birth of the Messiah. You can use live or recorded music.

Advent Film Festival • Generations of Faith

Sponsor a film festival using one or more Christmas feature films.

Advent Calendar • Generations of Faith

Help participants prepare for the birth of the Messiah by creating an Advent calendar.

Incarnation: God Among Us

The mystery of the Incarnation describes the awesome reality that God became one of us in order to show us how to live, to re-unite us with Him, and to share in our humanity!

My Gift for Jesus • Generations of Faith

Participants will reflect on giving the gift of themselves this Christmas.

Acting Out the Gospels

Advent & Christmas

Use the book Acting Out the Gospels by Mary Kathleen Glavich, SND, to dramatize the Infancy Narratives.

Jesus Through the Church Year • Generations of Faith

Experiencing Christ in the Advent & Christmas Seasons

In this all-ages session, participants will explore the "who" of Jesus through the Advent readings.

Walking to the Manger • Generations of Faith

Use this as an opening or closing prayer for a parish Advent gathering or around your family table.

Jesse Tree Session • Gather Us In

A Jesse tree is a bare branch that holds symbols of all the people who waited and prepared for the coming of the Messiah. It is this love and preparation that make flowers burst forth from the branch, and this is why a stark branch, rather than an evergreen tree, is used. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

Advent Wreath-Making Session • Gather Us In

This activity is designed to encourage families to celebrate with Advent wreaths by giving them the opportunity to make them together. It will be necessary to have the families sign up in advance so that you will know how much material you will need. • By Kathleen O'Connell Chesto

O Antiphons

Preparing in Advent • First Steps for Families

Help parents and children explore the meaning of Advent and how we can prepare well for Christmas.