Stage 1 Module

Year 1: Advent to Christmas

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

1

Advent to Christmas Year 1

Module Focus

For Advent:Advent (meaning “the coming”) is presented liturgically as a time of waiting and preparation. The students will explore scriptural stories from Luke’s Gospel which describe events leading to Jesus’ birth Jesus and will reflect upon how they wait for Jesus in their own lives. They will learn that as we wait for the celebration of Jesus’ entry into our world, we also await with Jesus a time when there is peace and love and no-one is hungry or disadvantaged.

For Christmas:Children will explore and deepen their knowledge of key people and events described in the Infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke. They will explore the depth of meaning in these narratives e.g. what the different characters represent. Students' appreciation of Christmas as a time when their families and parish community thank God for the gift of Jesus is developed through their participation in family and class preparations for and celebrations of Christmas.

OutcomesJ S1.2: Sequences, records and communicates stories about Jesus

CD S1.3: Identifies and describes the place and purpose of Catholic worship

S S1.5: Identifies and recalls stories from Sacred Scripture through which God reveals himself

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

2

Learn About Learn ToJ S1.2: The liturgical seasons, focusing on the Season of Advent

Jesus’ life, focusing on his birth

Being a disciple of Jesus

The Bible as the Word of God

The infancy narratives of Luke’s Gospel

CD S1.3: The Church as a people who celebrate and proclaim as shown

in the celebrations of Advent and Christmas

The classroom, school and church as gathering points for celebration

S S1.5: The Bible as the Word of God

The purpose of the Bible

Stories of God’s call and people’s response

Stories of the Bible revealing God’s love

Stories important to the Catholic community

Special times when Scripture is proclaimed

J S1.2: Identify key Advent symbols and practices

Summarise events leading up to the birth of Jesus and reflect on their meaning for us

Associate the celebration of Christmas with the birth of Jesus

Locate, research and record selected Biblical stories

Name actions appropriate to discipleship

CD S1.3: Contribute to an Advent liturgical celebration

Respond appropriately to the Advent liturgical setting

S S1.5: Retell specific scripture stories in their own words

Enact stories from the Scriptures

Ask questions to clarify meaning

Explain what those stories teach Name times when Scripture is proclaimed

Discipleship Challenge Students are challenged to recognise the implications of Jesus’ words and actions Students are challenged to participate in school and parish worship Students are challenged to show reverence and appreciation towards the Bible

Catholic Discipleship

As students become more familiar with the stories recounted in Sacred Scripture they grow in an appreciation of its place in the lives of ordinary Christians. The ordinariness of the lives of Biblical characters allows a point of connection for young students; the extraordinariness of their lives appeals to their sense of wonder. That sense of wonder is the beginning point for life-long reverence of the Scriptures.

Young students enjoy the re-telling of the Christmas story but can be overtaken by the commercial side of Christmas celebrations. Now is the time to begin to encourage them to look beyond the concept of giving and receiving to a deeper yet still very basic understanding of why we celebrate Jesus’ birthday. For the students the Advent and Christmas seasons present opportunities to reflect on Jesus' presence in our lives and to take up the

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

3

challenge of living as true followers of Jesus. This is a difficult concept for students at this age and this module should offer students experiences to think about and act for those in the community who are needy.

We learn from the writings of St Leo the Great that the arrival we wait for in the Season of Advent is not just the birthday of Jesus Christ, but of God’s kingdom whereby “ God’s presence is taking flesh as food for the hungry, water for the thirsty, shelter of the homeless, comfort for the imprisoned, clothing for the naked.” The work we do as Catholic disciples during Advent e.g. supporting the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal is a way of bringing about the Kingdom of god in our lives.

Prayer Focus

The focus of the prayer for this module is the Hail Mary, the words taken from Luke’s Gospel. The prayer contains the words of the angel Gabriel to Mary (Lk 1:28) and Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary at the Visitation (Lk 1:42). The second part of the prayer brings our needs to Mary.The prayer begins with Mary’s unique co-operation with the Holy Spirit. There are two movements in the prayer:

1. The first movement magnifies the Lord for great gifts as seen in the lowly servant, Mary and through her to all God’s people.

2. The second movement entrusts the prayers and praises of people to the Mother of God because she knows humanity.

Children will be introduced to this prayer as our most special prayer to Mary. Children will begin to develop familiarity with this prayer and see its connection to the annunciation story.

Core ScriptureLuke 1:39-56 Mary visits Elizabeth Gold & Honey p.207

Mary and Elizabeth My First Catholic Bible p.257Luke 2:1-7 The birth of Jesus Matthew 2:1-11 Visitors from the East

Scriptures in ContextLuke 1: 39-56Luke tells the story of the Visitation in the introduction to his Gospel. In doing so he is proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah, God’s Promised One . Mary plays an important role in the introduction to Luke’s Gospel; she identifies the child she is carrying as the Lord himself. Luke introduces Mary as Jesus’ mother but also as a believing and trusting disciple. Even though Mary’s acceptance of God’s offer to be the mother may well cause problems for Joseph and her, she responds positively to God’s call.

Mary travelled to visit her older and pregnant cousin Elizabeth in what must have been dangerous and rough circumstances. However the love she had for her cousin compelled her to assist an older pregnant woman in the time leading up to the birth of her child. Elizabeth, upon hearing Mary’s news is delighted and sings her cousin’s praise, “Blessed are you who believed in the Lord’s promise.”

Luke 2: 1-7- The birth of Jesus According to Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’ birth took place in a stable: the event as it has been handed down is told as one of warmth and simplicity. The birth itself reads as if a routine event - a peasant couple on an arduous journey retire for the night in the only available accommodation. The woman is heavily pregnant and her labour begins, a son is born to the couple. Within the story however, we are introduced to some of the theological themes of Luke’s Gospel. We get a glimpse of Jesus’ humanity through his simple birth and the visit of the shepherds, and of his divinity as made known by the appearance of the angels. The picture we have from Luke can be united in our minds with the picture from Matthew in which we become aware of

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

4

Jesus’ kingship as shown by the visit of the Gentile magi. His kingship is to be a servant kingship to all from all nations.

Matthew 2: 1-11- Visitors from the East

Matthew tells of the star that guides the Wise Men (Magi) to Jesus just as the angels showed the shepherds the way to Jesus. The Wise Men are ‘explorers’ looking for God. Their minds and hearts are open to God being revealed to them. The Wise Men offer gold for a king, incense for a God and myrrh for a human being. The Wise Men are wealthy and Jesus came for the wealthy as well as the poor. Most significantly, the Wise Men are Gentiles, or non-Jews who came from far away. Their visit to the child Jesus demonstrates that the way of Jesus will be to embrace people of all cultural, ethnic and societal groups. The visit of the Magi is celebrated on the feast of the Epiphany on 6 January. ‘Epiphany’ means God being revealed.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

n. 437 Birth of Jesus

nn. 441-445 Son of God

nn. 456-478 Word becomes flesh

nn. 487-507 Virgin Mary

n. 525 The Christmas mystery

Church

Many people think of buildings when describing church, but in fact church is about people, with church buildings being centres of celebration. An understanding of ‘church as people’ calls Christians to live out Jesus Christ’s mission in daily life.

Prior to the 1950s, mission was defined by the Church. The Church believed it had a mission to save souls, sending missionaries throughout the world to convert people to Christianity. However, with the coming of Vatican II, a renewed theology developed an understanding that mission in fact had a church and that the church is missionary by its very nature. The Church’s mission is to bring about the realisation of the Kingdom of God to the whole world in all its dimensions as a continuation of the mission of Jesus and the work of God. Vatican II recognised the Church as a pilgrim church, a Church on a missionary journey to carry on Jesus’ mission. “In a certain, but true sense the mission that God has given to Jesus to perform is not yet completed. Since history is still going on. The body of Christ is still growing and will continue to grow until the end of time” Peter Phan.

St Paul developed the image of church as the ‘body of Christ’. Church is in this way a physical presence of Jesus Christ in the world, as Jesus is no longer physically present to us. In community, we as church are called to carry on Jesus’ mission, nourished by his spiritual presence. Pope Francis said, “…in each of us new life of the Risen Christ places us next to each other, to help and support each other, thus making all us one body, built in the communion and love”. The Church should always be, according to Pope Francis “a profound communion of love.” http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/10/22/pope_at_audience_the_church,_the_body_of_christ_/1109146

Living out our baptismal call to bring about the kingdom of God in the world is not easy. We are nourished in community for this journey of mission especially by Word and Eucharist at Mass. Through Eucharist we ‘receive what we become and become what we receive’, the Body of Christ.

Background for the Teacher

Advent: The History and Meaning of the Season

The word 'Advent' is derived from the Latin 'Adventus,' which means 'coming.' Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year (in the Western

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

5

Christian churches), and encompasses the span of time from the fourth Sunday before Christmas, until the Nativity of Our Lord is celebrated.

In its early days, the Season of Advent was connected with a Roman celebration of the successful conclusion of the agricultural year each December. In this season, people gave thanks for the earth’s fruitfulness. Christians thanked God for the gifts of the earth and were urged to fast and give alms “signs of that new and blessed order of things that will result when Christ returns to reign and God is all in all” (Bishop David Walker, p. 6). The gifts of creation reveal God to us, as does the coming of Jesus into our world, the ultimate revelation of God. Advent is therefore a season of reflection, of hope, joy and love, in which we come to know God as a gracious God, sharing divine life and love through creation and through the Incarnation of Jesus. It is a season in which we are called to share our gifts with the poor and marginalised.

According to Bishop David, at a time in history when commercialism has over-run the Season of Christmas and many ignore or know nothing about the Season of Advent, a re-connection with the simplicity of the “rural roots” of the season, which is based on the rhythms and nature of grace and a gratefulness for the fruits of the earth is needed. (Bishop David Walker, “Lectio Divina Advent, Year C”, Diocese of Broken Bay

Advent: Hope in Christ of the Coming of the Kingdom of God

In the Season of Advent we live out the hope of Christ coming and we look forward to rejoicing in the presence of God with us through the celebration of Christmas. However, the Season of Advent is much more than waiting for the celebration of an event long ago. Pope Leo the Great who was Pope from 440 to 461 gave homilies in Advent that focussed on the advent or arrival that people wait for as a new human society “where the deepest human hungers are satisfied, where giving triumphs over getting, where peace surpasses violence, and where cooperation replaces competition.” Bishop David says that whilst we anticipate the joyous celebration of Christmas, “ what we wait for is nothing less than a world recreated, transfigured by the One whose coming opens new heavens and a new earth, the place where righteousness will be home.”

“Our Advent leads us into holy mystery. God’s word comes deeply embedded in human words and human flesh. Promise and meaning, hope and life, pregnancy and flesh-how wonderful that God so loved the world! How fortunate we are to hear and ponder this good news. Still the world is full of cynicism and suspicion, of oppression and violence, of sickness and death. It was for Micah and Isaiah, for Mary and Elizabeth, for John and Jesus. It is for us.”(Bishop David, Lectio Divina Advent, Year c)

The IncarnationThe Incarnation means God taking human presence in the person of Jesus. The Incarnation opens up limitless possibilities of God’s transforming power, God’s desire to be united with us. God’s act of creation is again demonstrated in the Incarnation. “The same Spirit who ‘hovered above the waters’ (Gen1:2) ‘came upon Mary’ (Lk 1:35). In this act, God ushered in a new creation”. The incarnation (or becoming human) of Jesus is inextricably linked to the Paschal Mystery (the living, dying and rising of Jesus) as the means of our salvation.

(adapted from Pope Benedict XVI, Holy Father’s Vespers Message in Nazareth, 15/5/09 Catholic Online @ www.catholic.org).

The Infancy Narratives The Vatican II Council described Jesus as the first or primordial sacrament, the sign and source of the encounter with God. Jesus The infancy narratives appear only in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. In our telling of the Christmas story we have merged the two accounts into one scene, although there are differences in the stories.

Matthew: focuses on Joseph, has Mary and Joseph living in Bethlehem and includes the visit of the magi and the flight into Egypt

Luke: focuses on Mary, has Mary and Joseph living in Nazareth and travelling to Bethlehem, includes shepherds and a peaceful visit to Bethlehem

These Gospels locate the birth of Jesus within a specific period in history, namely the Roman occupation of Palestine during the reign of King Herod. They tell us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but they do not determine the exact month or day. They are interpreted as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies (Crotty, R. Introduction to the Gospels). The birth stories are stories of faith and are not understood as exact historical accounts. Together the two accounts reveal the identity of Jesus which will be explored throughout these Gospels.

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

6

Christians today are able to reflect on the birth of Jesus by combining elements of each account. Jesus’ humanity and connection to the lowly is revealed though the attendance of the shepherds in Luke’s story. Luke also captures the connection between Jesus’ humanity and divinity through the attendance of the shepherds (humanity) and the angels (divinity). His role for all people is revealed by the attendance of gentile kings who also show his kingship in Matthew’s account.

Luke“In many respects, the infancy stories take us into a remote and strange world. We are not ordinarily visited by angels. Nor in our experience do people burst out into canticles of praise like the characters in these stories” (Brendan Byrne, p.17). Luke’s Gospel is connected strongly to stories from the Old Testament:

The idea that the birth of a significant figure should be announced beforehand by a messenger (angel) as in the case of Samson (Judges 13:2-7).

The birth of a significant figure, John the Baptist after a long period of barrenness by the mother reflects the stories of Sara, wife of Abraham ( Gen 16:1) and Hannah, mother of Samuel ( 1 Sam 1:1-28). Luke implies that only God’s power can overcome barrenness, just as leadership and even rescue for the people coming from the new life can only happen through God. “With considerable literary skill Luke tells his story in such a way as to suggest that the birth and childhood of Jesus comes as the climax of a long series of saving interventions by God.” (Brendan Byrne, p. 18)

In the infancy narrative of Luke, Jesus is identified as the Messiah. He is also identified as the greatest prophet, a greater prophet than John the Baptist. He has been sent by God to visit God's people, Israel, as the Prophet-Messiah and to offer them salvation. He is compared to John the Baptist. In both cases an angel or God's messenger comes and announces that a child is to be born; John's birth is announced to his father Zechariah, and Jesus' birth is announced to his mother, Mary. Then the two children, John and Jesus, while they are still in their mother's wombs, meet when Mary goes to visit John's mother, Elizabeth. The two children, John and Jesus are born and circumcised according to the Jewish law. At the age of twelve, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem and enters the Temple. This is a sacred sign that he is about to take over as the greatest prophet of Israel, and as the Messiah of Israel.

The Gospel of MatthewMatthew’s Gospel sees that in the person of Jesus, the history of Israel is encapsulated. Matthew uses names and events familiar to Jewish readers. He presents Jesus as Son of David, as and also Son of God. “Matthew’s message in his Infancy Narrative is a weighty one. It says, in summary form, what the entire Gospel says in more detail. This Jesus born today in Bethlehem is the long-awaited son of David who is also Son of God; rejected by some, but Saviour and Lord through whom God continues to save God’s people and complete the eternal plan”. Source: Brown, SS, Raymond E., “Why the Infancy Narratives Were Written,” Catholic Update (CU 1186), summarised by Sr Theresa Pauline Hereford www.cdptexas.org/.../The-Message-of- Matthews - Infancy - Narrative -by ...

The Role of Mary

Mary is a model for anyone struggling to live as God wants, and for anyone who is disturbed, questioning or wondering, or who simply cannot understand. To become the mother of the Saviour, Mary was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role. In Luke’s Gospel, the angel Gabriel at the moment of the annunciation (Lk 1:26-38) salutes her as "full of grace”. Mary allowed the light of God burn brightly in her heart, being attuned to God’s presence, recognising the blessings she had received, and taking in the challenge ahead.

Mary’s testimony to Elizabeth, being the first of Luke’s canticles, has been named the Magnificat (Lk. 1:39-55). Here Luke has made an old Testament connection, by re-imagining the words of Hannah’s Song (I Sam 2:1-10). Mary describes herself as “lowly”, but only so because she is a young girl from a remote Galilean village. “God’s choice of her to be the mother of the Messiah begins a pattern of divine action that will recur throughout the Gospel. God will bypass those at the centre of power in favour if the marginalised and lowly. The ‘lowly’ yet ‘blessed’ Mary becomes an emblem of the saving work now beginning…. Mary speaks on behalf of her people, Israel- in particular on behalf of that devout, poor and lowly sector of her people that hangs upon ancient promises, longing for the time of salvation…There is an invitation to Israel…to join her in song, to make her experience of salvation their own” (Byrne, pp.25-26).

God with Us

The name Jesus was popularly understood as meaning "God saves". The Scriptures tell us that “the child born of the Virgin Mary is called Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Mt 1:21).

We remember the presence of God-with-us in our world today. Christians realise that the Christ event in history signals that the reign of God is at hand and the Kingdom of God is among us. Evidence of this reality will be found where love, joy, peace and justice flourish. In the light of this, during

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

7

Advent we are encouraged to promote truly human values in our world today..

The Importance of the Story of the First Christians

The celebration of Christmas has an historical dimension in that it commemorates the actual birth of Jesus. However, for Christians, the feast has a profound religious significance. Christmas is a celebration of the dawn of God's light and a preview of God's final self-disclosure when the kingdom comes in its fullness.

We remember the presence of God-with-us in our world today. Christians realise that the Christ event in history signals that the reign of God is at hand and the Kingdom of God is among us. Christmas does not simply mark the anniversary of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. As we celebrate Christ's birth, we are renewed in faith through the saving power of the mystery of the Incarnation.

Christmas is a time when together we thank God for the gift of God’s son Jesus

During the liturgical year especially its great solemnities, feasts and seasons, Christians reflect upon and celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation, the union of the divine and human natures in the person of Jesus Christ. Christians celebrate the fulfilment of God's promise to send a Saviour. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, reveals God's great love for all people. Christmas is a time when the attention of students can be drawn to the poor and suffering in society, both here in Australian and in other world communities: the sick, the unemployed, refugees, immigrants, the homeless, the frail and the elderly. Students can contribute to various appeals during the Advent and the Christmas season that are organised annually in their own parish community.

Getting Ready

Students will be aware of the preparations that precede important events and how we get ready for special occasions. Students generally have a natural response of pleasure to the colours, symbols, decorations and commercial features of the Christmas celebration. They have a sense of excitement and are joyful and hopeful. They will discover that while preparations are going on in the community, the Church also prepares for the coming of Jesus during Advent.

Throughout the liturgical year we are invited to celebrate in many ways. Different colours and symbols express the mood of each of the seasons. The colours purple or dark blue used during Advent symbolise the mood of waiting and preparation. The colour pink used in the third week of Advent reminds us that we are preparing for a season of joy. The use of light and the colour white symbolises the joy of Christmas. The gradual increase in the light of the Advent wreath can speak powerfully of the hope for the coming of Jesus, the Light of the World at Christmas. The lights on a Christmas tree can further remind us of Jesus as the light of the world.

Student Context

Please program in order to meet the context of your class.

Developing the Partnership

Please make connections between the learning in this module and parents and the wider community.

Curriculum LinksPlease link with other KLAs in your teaching of this module.

Planning a Quality Learning Sequence for your class

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

8

Quality religious education will be achieved only by deep thinking about where you are going and how you plan the learning journey to get there. Begin with the end in mind and then consider how you will build field to meet your goals. Remember that you cannot expect children to develop deep knowledge and understanding, unless you as teacher have deep knowledge and understanding yourself. According to the Quality Teaching Framework, quality teaching will occur when you ask yourself four questions: What do you want the students to learn? Why does the learning matter? What are you going to get the students to do (or produce)? How well do you expect them to do it?The suggested learning sequence has been planned through such a process. However, it cannot be written with the understanding of the student context of each class and relationship to other learning that is happening in the class. It is therefore necessary for you as teacher to plan your own unit, using this module as a support. Doing so is part of your role as an “activist professional” (a teacher who actively works to improve their professionalism).

Suggested Teaching, Learning and Assessment Experiences

These are suggested teaching and learning experiences. The essential part of teaching this module is that you, as teacher have deep knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Reading in depth the “Background for the Teacher” and “Scripture in Context” will give you the basic understanding you need. It is essential to use the whole module to plan your own unit. You might like to change the questions to suit your class. Your unit should be written in acknowledgement of the student context of your class. The suggested learning experiences are meant to be adapted for this purpose. You should design learning experiences for the purpose of formative and summative assessment. When designing quality learning experiences and assessments, they must address the outcomes, learning intentions and success criteria based on the enduring understandings of the module.

Getting Ready for Jesus

Key Concepts

annunciation visitation pregnancy call promise Gospels of Matthew and Luke

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

9

waiting preparation Advent – ‘coming’ relationship Messiah celebration

community symbols marginalised stable Gold incense myrrh hope

peace Gentile kings - Magi Epiphany scripture St Vincent de Paul Joy and love

What is important for Students to Know and Do

Advent is a four week liturgical season during which we get ready for Christmas Advent means “ coming” The liturgical colour of Advent is purple or dark blue because it is a time of getting ready. The liturgical colour for Christmas is white for joy and celebration. The stories of Jesus’ birth are only on the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. The church uses special colours, symbols and music to help us celebrate in the seasons of Advent and Christmas.

Participate in school and parish celebrations

Enduring Understandings

The stories of Mary and Elizabeth in Luke’s Gospel tell us of courage, love and trust in God Whilst we wait for the celebration of the coming of Jesus at Christmas, we also wait in hope with Jesus for a time when

no-one will be lonely, hungry or left out. We are called as disciples of Jesus to reach out to people who are poor and lonely in a special way during Advent and

at Christmas.

Suggested Big Question

How do we get ready during Advent to celebrate Jesus’ coming to us?

Suggested Essential Questions

What are the Seasons of Advent and Christmas?How do we wait and get ready for special events in our lives?How did Mary and Elizabeth Wait in Joyful Hope?How did Jesus’ birth fulfil hope?

How can we wait in Joyful Hope for Jesus and celebrate with him?

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

10

Suggested Teaching, Learning and Assessment Experiences

These are suggested teaching and learning experiences. The essential part of teaching this module is that you, as teacher have deep knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Reading in depth the “Background for the Teacher” and “Scripture in Context” will give you the basic understanding you need. It is essential to use the whole module to plan your own unit. You might like to change the questions to suit your class. Your unit should be written in acknowledgement of the student context of your class. The suggested learning experiences are meant to be adapted for this purpose. You should design learning experiences for the purpose of formative and summative assessment. When designing quality learning experiences and assessments, they must address the outcomes, learning intentions and success criteria based on the enduring understandings of the module.

What are the seasons of Advent and Christmas? Create a sacred space dressed in the Advent liturgical colour of purple or dark blue. Use stones to create a roadway

showing the journey from Advent to Christmas. Brainstorm knowledge of the Season of Advent:

Write wonder questions Think, Puzzle, Explore

What do you think you know about Advent? What questions or puzzles do you have? How might you explore puzzles we have about Advent?

Visit the Church and look for symbols, liturgical colours etc. Take photos of colours, banners, Advent wreath etc. Ask children what they think these symbols, colours etc. mean and add to “Think, Puzzle, Explore” or to wonder questions.

Ask priest or deacon to talk about the celebration of Advent and the meaning of symbols.Create an i-movie, Photo Story/ poster using photos from the church and adding meanings of the symbols/colours etc.

Refer to the roadway in the sacred space, asking children where we are journeying in Advent. Add symbols of Advent and of Christmas to the roadway in the sacred space.

On a flip chart or on large post-it notes, record everything that Christmas means to you. In word or drawing. Categorise the children’s ideas under headings:

Family and friends Commercial ( shops, shop decorations, tv ads etc) Community ( Carols by Candlelight, parades, Christmas lunches for homeless people, making Christmas

hampers for people who can’t buy Christmas food for presents) Church

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

11

Discuss the categories~ What things can go in more than one category? How do they appear in each (e.g. How does celebration happen in families, at the shops and in church)? Do you think the commercial side of Christmas (e.g. TV, shops and lots of presents) has led to some people

forgetting about what Christmas is really about? Do you think many people don’t know anything about Advent? How can we improve the way that we wait for Jesus? etc

Create an Advent calendar or use an online calendar each day. As children learn about symbols they might add them to their calendar. An online calendar can also be accessed at http://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/advent/calendars/childrens-advent-calendar

Students may create their own Advent wreath. This could be Australianised by using Australian native leaves such as gum leaves. Children may be invited to guess the meanings of the symbols of the wreath, and then investigate these: Circular green leaves represent eternity~ no beginning and no end Purple candles represent hope and waiting The pink candle represents joy and is lit in the Third Week of Advent.

Discuss how an Advent wreath made with items from nature with purple candles and a pink one shows us about what Advent means to people who believe in Jesus. Discuss how the Church’s Advent wreath differs from some commercial wreaths made with tinsel.

How do we wait and get ready for special events in our Lives? Reflect on a time that you have waited for something special. Children may like to write a reflection OR may complete

sentences e.g. “When I waited for my birthday I……”

Discuss that celebrations aren’t the only things we wait for. Brainstorm other things we wait for e.g. someone to come back from overseas; Year 12 students wait for their HSC results; we sometimes wait for someone to get better if they are sick.

Discuss that waiting for the birth of a baby is one of the most significant periods of waiting in human life.

Invite a pregnant mother or a mother who has a baby in to discuss what it is like to wait for a baby. Ask what feelings a pregnant mother has. Ask about all the preparations that are necessary. Begin a Venn diagram “Preparing for a Baby” which will show similarities and differences between Mary’s and

women in our society today’s preparation and birth. Ask if there are women today who might give birth is difficult situations like Mary- Refugees? How could they

prepare if they are travelling and escaping danger?

Home School Activity: Children interview their parents/ grandparents/carers how they waited in joyful expectation of their birth. An interview question sheet may be sent home (see Appendix 1). A classroom display may be set up using photos e.g. Ultrasound photos/ pregnancy photos (****If the context of your class means that you have children who are separated from their parents, you may need to change or adjust this task).

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

12

How did Mary nad Elizabeth wait in joyful hope? Ask children what they think of when we say “church.” (It is likely that most children will talk about the church building.) Ask them

During Advent and Christmas we hear the stories about how Jesus came to be one of us:Teaching Point: Tell children that a long time ago an angel visited Mary and told her that she would have a very special baby to be called Jesus. After she heard the news she went to visit her cousin Elizabeth who was also expecting a baby. As Elizabeth was older, this baby was also a special gift from God.

Watch the story on video. Tell children that it is a clip from a movie, so the people who made the movie added words that aren’t in the Bible to help to create the picture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROvvVu9Fi0U (The Visitation).

Read Lk 1:26-45, ‘Mary Visits Elizabeth’ from a children’s’ bible. Explore the story using different techniques e.g.

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8_475FKJWQ Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant

o Scripture Storytelling Script in Appendix 2

o Reader’s Theatre (suitable for strong readers or could be used in liaison with older classes). See Appendix 3.

o Learn songs about waiting e.g. “Mary said ‘Yes’ ” (Michael Mangan) or “The Visitation” (Jim Cosgrove) or “Watching and Waiting” (Michael Mangan).

o Participate in guided meditation ‘The Visitation’ p.27 from’ Guided Meditations for Children.

o creating an artistic flow chart, dramatically

o liquid pictures (Wintour, Christmas Celebrations, p.9)

o making a power point, movie or photo story based on digital pictures of the children acting out the story

Create a story map of Mary’s journey to Elizabeth, reflecting upon the risks Mary may have experienced in an ancient time. Ask questions such as: How would have Mary travelled there? What dangers might she have faced? Why do you think it was so important for Mary to visit her cousin? Why did both these women have very special roles? What was similar and different about their situations?

Discuss words from this story in the Hail Mary. Illustrate or make a poster. Say the Hail Mary each day in class prayer. Suggested Assessment SS 1.5 Imagine the conversation between Mary and Elizabeth when Mary arrived after her

long journey as told in Luke’s Gospel. Create a cartoon using speech bubbles to record the words of Mary and Elizabeth.

How did Jesus’ birth fulfil hope? Explain to the children that of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), we only find the stories of Jesus’ birth

and the events leading up to it in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. They tell the stories differently and each focuses on a different part of the story. Today we often hear both stories together (in Christmas movies, cards, storybooks etc.)

Read Luke 2:1-20 (Nativity) and read Matthew 2:1-11 (Visitors from the East):

Teaching Point Luke’s nativity story is one of warmth and simplicity. Jesus’ birth in a stable illustrates his humanity and was the first sign that Jesus would reach out to the poor and lowly in a special way. This is also illustrated by the first people to visit Jesus, the shepherds. Shepherds at the time were often outsiders in society and yet they were the first to see the Saviour. However, Jesus was also divine and this was seen by the presence of the angels. Matthew’s story focuses on the visit of three kings from the East. This story not only shows Jesus as king, but also showed that he would welcome all people rich and poor from all ethnic groups and beliefs, as the kings were

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

13

not Jewish like Jesus and his family.

These stories may be studied through modern literature. Tell children that these are stories that have adapted the Gospel stories. Suggestions include:

o The Early Reader’s Bible- Jesus Came to Love Us’ and ‘The Wise Men Give Their Best’

o Gold & Honey Bible- ‘To Bethlehem’, ‘Born in a Stable’, ‘Wise Men from the East’).

o Caspar and the Star: Francesca Bosca

o The Christmas Story: Robert Sabuda

o Who is Coming to our House? Robert Slate

o The Christmas Story: Jane Werner Watson

o Room for a Little One: Martin Wadwell

o Tale of the Three Trees : Angela Hunt

o Legend of the Poinsettia: Tomie de Paola

o The Christmas baby: Marion Dane Bauer

Other ways to explore the story:

o https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9VyT9sY_Dc Birth of Jesus ( Ignatius Press)

o Guided meditation .See Appendix 3

o Scripture Storytelling. Appendix 4: two scripts, one with Luke’s story ( with the shepherds and angels) and the other with Matthew’s version (the story of the magi)

Dramatise the visitors to Jesus’ birth (shepherds, angels and kings). Focus on the visitors who shared the joy of Jesus’ birth. The story of these visitors is one way that we learn about the ordinariness and extraordinariness of Jesus’ birth. Discuss what this means for us today i.e. Jesus relates to everyone-shepherd or king, poor or rich.

Suggested Assessment JS 1.2 Design a triptych ( three panelled artwork) showing the visitors to Jesus who announced who he would be- shepherds (human), angels ( divine) and magi ( servant king). Write an explanation of your art.

How can we wait in Joyful hope for Jesus and celebrate with him? Discuss how the Season of Advent reminds us that we not only wait in joyful hope for the celebration of the coming of Jesus,

we also wait with Jesus for a time when no-one will be frightened, poor, hungry or lonely. It is our mission as Jesus’ disciples to work towards that time of peace and joy. We should pray to Jesus to bless us in our work.

Make a plan about how as disciples of Jesus, the students can live out their Advent promises well. Discuss the ways that they can act in their day to day lives – through kindness to their families and friends; through prayer and liturgy and through their joyous support of the poor e.g. through the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.

Invite a speaker from St Vincent De Paul to talk to the students about how their support during Advent is helping to bring about the sort of society that Jesus wanted.

Design a poster showing how the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal calls us to be disciples of Jesus.

Plan an Advent prayer celebration and invite parents and priest to participate using the significant symbols.

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

14

Ideas for liturgies may be found in:

Costello, ‘Classroom Prayer Services for the Days of Advent and Lent” http://www.wellsprings.org.uk/liturgies/index.htm ( Wellspring Liturgy)

http://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources (Cafod prayer resources- see Advent tile)

As part of the liturgy, you might like to provide an empty cradle beside your prayer focus and at a later date invite parents and students to provide items to fill the cradle with hamper donations for those less fortunate in the community.

Invite parents or other speakers from a variety of cultures to share various cultural expressions of Advent and Christmas (encourage these speakers to bring in cultural items of interest). Concentrate how waiting and fulfilment happens in different ways. Children may write reflections about what they have heard. Research about cultural expressions of Advent and Christmas may occur through the Internet. Discuss how the church also has cultural expressions. Reflect on Advent promises made. Write a reflection about how our waiting is fulfilled at Christmas.

Suggested Assessment CS S 1.3 Write a reflection about how we worship Jesus in our church through Advent and Christmas. Write one thing that you can do as a disciple of Jesus in the Church’s Seasons of Advent and Christmas when we wait with

Jesus for a time when there will be no hunger, fighting or loneliness.

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

15

Appendix 1

To my dear parent, grandparent or carerCan you remember the days before I was born? I am wondering what it was like to wait and prepare for me. Can you please tell me about what was like waiting for my birth?How did you feel as my birth got closer? Were you excited? Did you ever feel worried?What did you do to prepare for my birth?

What did you buy? Were any clothes or nursery furniture handed down from anyone else? Who helped you get ready? Did you have a baby shower? If so, who came? Did you have me in a hospital? If so, did you visit the hospital before? Were you looked after by a doctor or a special nurse called a midwife or maybe both? How did you choose my name?

Please tell me what it has meant to you that I am your child.Do have any photos of the pregnancy or when I was first born? Do you have any mementos to show me e.g. the card from by hospital cot/ a baby bracelet etc.Thankyou________________________________ ( name)

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

16

Appendix 2

THE VISITATION (Luke 1:39-45) Adapted from Sydney’s Script, Sydney RE Online

YOU WILL NEED: Beige felt underlay

Brown felt road

3 D Figures: Mary and pregnant Elizabeth, Zechariah

Bible

Small blocks to represent Elizabeth’s house

Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are ready carry the materials carefully from the story shelf to the story area and place beside you and say

Place class Bible, open at Luke, in front of you with your hand on it.This story comes from the Gospel according to Luke, which is in the New Testament section of the Bible. Place Bible beside you.

Lay underlay and then the road. Place Mary on the road near you. Place Elizabeth at the opposite end of the underlay, to the side of the road. Place Zechariah next to her near the boxes or blocks that represent their house.

Touch Mary

Mary had just been visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she was to have a baby and he would be called Jesus.

Begin to move Mary along the road.

Immediately, Mary left her home as she wanted to visit her cousin Elizabeth who lived in the hill country of Judea.

Touch Elizabeth.

Although Elizabeth was older she was also expecting a baby.

Continue to move Mary along the road:It was dusty on the road. Mary walked quickly to see her cousin.

Move Mary off the road just a little way towards Elizabeth and Zechariah.Upon entering the house of Zechariah, Mary greeted Elizabeth.

Move Elizabeth towards Mary.When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby within her moved.

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

17

They hugged

Mary and Elizabeth touch each other.

Place your hand over Mary as you say:Filled with the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth exclaimed, “Mary, blessed are you among women! And blessed is the baby growing within you!”

Place your hand behind Elizabeth as you say:“I cannot believe that the mother of my Lord would visit me!”

Place your hand over Mary’s head and say:“Blessed are you Mary, because you believed the angel’s message and you faithfully trust in God!”

Place Mary and Elizabeth next to each other.Mary stayed a while with Elizabeth and Zechariah before travelling home.

Pause for a while before wondering with the students.I wonder…I wonder why Mary would have gone to visit her relative, Elizabeth.I wonder how Mary felt walking on the road for such a long way. I wonder if she went alone or if somebody travelled with her.I wonder why Elizabeth’s baby moved when Mary greeted Elizabeth.I wonder how Elizabeth knew Mary was going to have such a special child.I wonder what the women talked about. I wonder if you find anything puzzling or amazing in this story.

Readers’ TheatreThe VisitationLuke 1:39-56

Reader 1: The angel Gabriel visited Mary and told her that she was to have a son.Reader 2: He was to be called Jesus and would be the Son of God.Mary: “I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen as you have said.”Reader 3: The angel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was also have a son, even though she was older.Reader 4: So Mary set off to a town in the hill country of Judea where Elizabeth lived.Reader 1: Mary entered the house where she was greeted by Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband.Reader 2: Then Mary saw Elizabeth.Mary: “Elizabeth, I am so glad to see you.”Elizabeth: “Mary, just now when I saw you, my baby inside me jumped for joy.”Reader 3: The Holy Spirit came upon Elizabeth and she prayed.

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

18

Elizabeth: “God has blessed you more than any other woman. He has blessed the child you will have”.Reader 4: She continued in a loud voice.Elizabeth: “Why should the mother of my Lord come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, my baby became happy and moved within me.”Reader 1: Mary smiled.Elizabeth: “The Lord has blessed you because you believed that he will keep his promise.”Reader 2: Mary answered Elizabeth in prayer.Mary: “With all my heart I praise the Lord and I am glad because of God my Saviour.”Reader 3: Mary continued praising God.Mary: “God cares for me, his humble servant.From now on, all people will say that God has blessed me.God has done great things for me.”Reader 4: Elizabeth listened carefully as Mary continued.Mary: “God always shows mercy. The Lord scatters people who are strong and powerful and puts humble people in places of power.”Reader 1: Elizabeth nodded as Mary prayed.Mary: “God gives food to the hungry. God is always merciful to his people of Israel. God made this promise to our ancestors and his family forever!”Reader 2: Mary and Elizabeth hugged and then sat down together to talk. Reader 3: Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then she went back home. It had been a lovely visit.

Appendix 3

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

19

THE NATIVITY GUIDED MEDITATION The Birth of Jesus (Luke’s Gospel)Find a comfortable place. Close your eyes and relax. Breathe slowly in and out as we begin our imaginary journey.You are walking down a street in the city of Bethlehem. It’s crowded as there are many people coming to the city of David for the census. You hear people chattering and laughing. The smell of food cooking wafts through the streets.You are fascinated by what’s happening. It’s so different from your world.You then see a woman riding on a donkey. It’s Mary. The donkey is being led by Joseph. She looks tired and then you notice that she is expecting a baby. It must be uncomfortable for her travelling on a donkey. You wonder how long she has travelled.

Joseph seems to be looking around. You have seen him knock at several doors, trying to find somewhere to sleep. Finally, he knocks on the door of an inn. You see the innkeeper shake his head. There is no room at the inn. You can’t stop watching Joseph. You feel sad for him and for Mary.Finally the innkeeper points behind the inn to the stable. Maybe that is a place where they can stay.You follow Joseph and Mary. You can smell the animals and the smell of fresh hay. Hopefully that will be soft for Mary to lie on.You wait at the entrance of the stable and can hear that something is happening inside. Eventually you hear the voice of a newborn baby crying. How beautiful, soft and gentle it can be heard in the night air. You can’t wait to go in and to see Mary’s baby. You wait, wait and wait.Eventually, joseph comes out and tells you that Mary has given birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy. How exciting. You see the joy on Joseph’s face. Joseph invites you in. There you see Mary lying happily on the soft bed of hay cuddling her new born son. In a sweet voice she tells you that his name is Jesus.You are not the only one fascinated by what’s has happened. The animals are quietly gathering around. Somehow, they seem to know that this has been a special birth.You gently lean over and look at baby Jesus. You tell Mary and Joseph that he is beautiful. Then you think that maybe it is time to leave them alone with baby Jesus. You say “goodbye” to Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus and leave the stable. You travel back through the streets of Bethlehem which are all quirt now as everyone is asleep. You look up and see the most beautiful starry sky that you have ever seen. In the distance you think that you can hear singing, but you have to leave so you return to your life here. You travel back to our classroom, joyful at the journey you have just made. When you feel comfortable, open your eyes.

Appendix 4

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

20

(based on Luke 2:1-20) Used with permission Sydney CEO

YOU WILL NEED

Bible beige felt underlay brown felt road Nativity set: Joseph, Mary, donkey, baby Jesus, manger, stable, 2 shepherds, 3 sheep, 3 angels

Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are ready carry the materials carefully from the story shelf to the story area, place them beside you and say

Place class Bible, open at Luke, in front of you with your hand on it.This story comes from the Gospel according to Luke, which is in the New Testament section of the Bible. Place Bible beside you.

Place the underlay in the middle of the space. Place the road on top of the underlay.Place Mary, Joseph and donkey on the road at the far end away from you.In those days the Emperor Augustus decreed that all people should be registered in the town of their birth. Since Joseph was born in Bethlehem he had to go there.

Slowly move Mary, Joseph and donkey halfway down the road.So Joseph travelled with Mary from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem to be registered.

Place your hand at the opposite end of the road to Mary and Joseph.Bethlehem was a long way from their home in Nazareth and their child was expected to be born soon.

Continue to slowly move Mary, Joseph and donkey down the road to Bethlehem.When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, the town was very crowded.

Place stable to the side of the road. Move Mary, Joseph and donkey from the road to the stable.Hold Jesus in your hand as you say While they were there the time came for Mary to have her child. She gave birth to her firstborn son.

Place Jesus in the manger between Mary and Joseph.Mary wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Place shepherds and sheep on the underlay away from the road and the stable. Now nearby there were some shepherds living in the fields watching over their sheep by night.

Place an angel near shepherds.An angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The shepherds were terrified!

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

21

Move the angel a little closer to the shepherds.The angel said, “Do not be afraid… I am bringing you news of great joy for all people. To you, this day, in Bethlehem, is born the Messiah, the Lord!This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Place more angels facing shepherds.Suddenly a multitude of angels appeared, praising God saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace.”

Move angels to your side. Move shepherds to the stable.After this the angels left and the shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem. They found Mary and Joseph, and the child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in the manger just as the angels had promised.

Turn Mary and Joseph to face the shepherds. The shepherds explained what the angels had told them about this child. Everyone was amazed.

Turn Mary to face the child Jesus. Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

Move the shepherds back to their fields. The shepherds returned to their fields praising God for all they had heard and seen.

Pause for a while before wondering with the students.

I wonder what the place was like where Mary had her baby.

I wonder what the words, “the glory of the Lord shone around them” mean/ or what that might look like.

I wonder how the shepherds found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

I wonder what it means that Mary “treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart”.

I wonder what you ponder in your heart.

JESUS IS BORN(Based on Matthew’s Gospel)

YOU WILL NEED :

3D figures of infant Jesus, Mary and Joseph King Herod, some soldiers three wise men with gifts, an angel (Nativity Set) stable, Egyptian house, shiny star long brown strip of road, yellow desert strip

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

22

Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are settled, go to the shelf and carry the materials as you would the Bible. Place these beside you.Roll out long strip of road. Place the stable at one end of the road and the three wise men at the other end.. Place the yellow desert and Egyptian house far away from the stable. Place King Herod with soldiers halfway on one side of the road. Begin by saying…

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Pick up Jesus and place him in the stable.

His mother’s name was Mary; her husband’s name was Joseph.Pick up Mary and Joseph and place in the stable with the baby Jesus.

After Jesus was born, three wise men came to see him. Move the three wise men along the road towards the stable.

They had seen his “star” where they lived – in the east. Hold up the star above the stable and then continue, moving the three wise men along the road to stand in front of the stable.

When they found Jesus, the wise men gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Move the three wise men to give their gifts to the baby Jesus one at time and then move them to journey back home, but following a different route that does not pass King Herod.Use a hand gesture to point to King Herod, saying:

When King Herod heard that the wise men had found a new king in Bethlehem, he was very angry. He sent his soldiers to find Jesus in Bethlehem.Move the soldiers to walk from side to side on the road looking for the baby Jesus.

But they could not find him. Place Joseph lying down and move the angel to hover above him as you say…

God sent an angel in a dream, to warn Joseph that the soldiers were searching for Jesus. Move Joseph to stand up and gather Mary and Jesus and set them on the road and continue…

So that night Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, where they would be safe. Move them to the Egyptian house in the desert.

They stayed in Egypt until it was safe for them to go back home to Nazareth.Engage with ‘I wonder’, KWL p158.

Carefully pack story materials into storage box and put on shelf. Ensure that children are watching so they know how to pack the materials away and where to find them.

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

23

Liturgy Outline

Liturgy Definition: “work of the people” (in this case - the children)

A liturgy to celebrate module learning usually has four parts of which these can contain all or some one of the suggestions.

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

24

Children’s

Before you begin some other considerations!! Where will the liturgy be celebrated? Does not have to be celebrated in the church or the classroom. Outdoors is a possibility - weather permitting. Consider the placement of chairs and sacred space. Who to invite? (parents, staff, priest etc)

WE GATHER: Setting the scene Sacred Space (cloth, candle, Bible, icons etc) to be created in this part. Procession Hymn or songs of welcome Welcome and introduction to celebration Opening prayer

WE LISTEN: Stories From the Bible Outline of what has been learnt Multimedia presentations Dramatisation/ dialogue of story Hymns Liturgical Movement of story Stories of their life and families Related narratives (eg Dreamtime story)

WE RESPOND:Responding to the stories Hymn or songs Liturgical movement Prayers of Intercession Prayer Multimedia presentations Sharing work from module (eg artwork)

WE GO FORTH:Sending Forth Recessional hymn or songs Liturgical movement Prayer Thank you statement

Liturgy can be followed by offer of hospitality

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

25

Resources

Note: Resources below are not an exhaustive list. Choose resources to enhance the learning and teaching process of this module and record below

Teacher Costello, ‘Classroom Prayer Services for the Days of Advent and Lent” Benjamin, A. & Woods, L. 1990. Dictionary for young Catholics. Blackburn: Collins Dove. McBrien, R. 1995. Inside Catholicism. San Francisco: Collins Publishers. Ritchhart, R. Church M, and Morrison, K. Making Thinking Visible: How to Promote Engagement, Understanding and Independence for

All Learners .2011, San Francisco, Jossey-Bass. Guided Meditations for Children. White, D., O’Brien, K. and Todd, S. 2003. Into the Deep. Marayong: K.D. Publications

http://www.wellsprings.org.uk/liturgies/index.htm ( Wellspring Liturgy)

http://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Prayer-resources ( Cafod prayer resources- see Advent tile)

Literature

The Early Reader’s Bible- Jesus Came to Love Us’ and ‘The Wise Men Give Their Best’ Gold & Honey Bible- ‘To Bethlehem’, ‘Born in a Stable’, ‘Wise Men from the East’). Caspar and the Star: Francesca Bosca The Christmas Story: Robert Sabuda Who is Coming to our House? Robert Slate The Christmas Story: Jane Werner Watson Room for a Little One: Martin Wadwell Tale of the Three Trees : Angela Hunt Legend of the Poinsettia: Tomie de Paola The Christmas baby: Marion Dane Bauer

MusicInvestigate school based music resources. “Find a song’ searches are enabled on these popular music websites

http://www.johnburland.com/ John Burlandhttp://www.butterflymusic.com.au/resources/need-a-song Andrew Chinnhttp://www.litmusproductions.com/index.php/song-search/masses.html Michael Manganhttp://www.renewalproductions.com.au/find-a-song Jen Charadia

Internet

For children

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

26

“https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8_475FKJWQ Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9VyT9sY_Dc Birth of Jesus ( Ignatius Press)

For teachers

Mission and Religious Education (Lighthouse) http://missionandreligiouseducation.dbbcso.org

Advent calendar http://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/advent/calendars/childrens-advent-calendar

StorytellingMake short art-inspired stories http://storybird.com/Capzles social storytelling http://www.capzles.com/General http://wallwisher.com/ http://www.wordle.net/ http://www.tagxedo.com/ http://www.ning.com/ http://www.wikispaces.com/

Useful Apps

3 Minute Retreat Sand Draw Lectio Divina Ignatian Examen

Superbook Bible App

The Holy Bible Bible for kids The Pope App

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

27

Educreations PuppetPals Show Me Comic Maker

Advent to Christmas Stage 1 Year 1

28