• When did you first realize there is a God?
• What Holy Moments did you experience this week?

MAKE A CONNECTION FOR THE CHILDREN: SAYING YES TO GOD 

• Say: Jesus was born because a very special woman said YES when God asked her to be the mother of the Saviour. Let’s look at the Scripture passage that tells the account of Mary’s yes to God.
• Read the account of the Annunciation from the Gospel of Luke 1:26-38.
• Ask: What was the message the angel came to give Mary? (The angel told Mary she would have a son who would be called the Son of God.)
• Ask: How did Mary react? (with surprise and puzzlement) What words did Mary use to say yes? ("Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word." Luke 1:38)
• Ask: Who did the angel Gabriel promise would come to Mary? (the Holy Spirit)
• Discuss some of the ways Mary prepared for Jesus' coming. Ask: What are some things Mary may have done to prepare for Jesus' birth? (Answers will vary.)

• You help a new student to make friends on their first day of school.
• You take a pencil from the floor that you know belongs to someone else.
• You go into your parents’ bedroom without permission.
• You cross the street walking home because you do not want to talk to your next-door neighbor.
• You throw the wrapper from your treat on the floor at home.
• You ask a new student to sit at your table for lunch.
• You blame your sibling for something bad you did.
• You pray for grandma who is not well.
• You talk during mass instead of participating.
• You invite a student watching a game at recess to join in.
• You talk about someone behind his or her back.
• You come to church with your family on Sunday.

• Tell the family/group that you are going to read a situation aloud to them. When they hear the situation, they have to decide if the person is saying yes to God or no to God by their actions.
• Tell the children to raise their hands as soon as they know the answer.
• Call upon the first child who raises their hand.
• If the answer was that the person was saying no to God by their actions, the child must then tell how he or she could change the actions to say yes to God.
• The team with the most correct responses is the winner.

Click to Watch the Part 2 Homily

Saint Joseph holds a special place in the life of Jesus and the lives of all Christians. He was a hard-working father who raised Jesus Christ his son. Joseph trusted God's plan and followed his instructions, which led to him being a crucial part of Jesus' story. Similarly, when we obey God, we're saying we trust Him. It's through this trust that we can experience the love of Jesus and find joy, even in uncertain times. St. Joseph encourages us to seek holiness of life through the ordinary events of daily life.

Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:18 - 24

• When did you make yourself available to listen to God?
• What Holy Moments did you experience this week?

MAKE A CONNECTION FOR THE CHILDREN: LISTENING FOR GOD'S VOICE

• Gather 3 or more players.
• The first person to start the game, takes a slip of paper and reads the word or phrase.
• The person starting the game whispers it into the next player's ear only once, with no repeats allowed.
• That listener tries to correctly repeat that same word or phrase into the next player's ear.
• Continue around the circle until the whispered message has gone around the group.
• The last person to hear the message says it out loud.
• Repeat the game, so others can be the first person to start the next round.

• If the children are older, they may not need any help to come up with a word or phrase.
• Make sure to say that the word or phrase needs to be appropriate.
• The fewer people you have in your group, the longer the phrase should be.

Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, Thank you for being with me even when life is scary and uncertain. Help me to listen for your voice. Amen

Click to Watch the Part 3 Homily

Zechariah and Elizabeth are a devout example of being more accepting and submitting to the will of God and obeying the Word of God. And they did it “in the sight of God,” that is, to exalt the Lord alone rather than to make a good showing before others. Their story shows us two ways of responding when God shows up in those dry, hopeless places in our lives. One way is to be skeptical (unholy moment) and the other is to be full of wonder (holy moment).

Scripture Reference: Luke 1: 5-25

• When did you set aside personal preference and self-interest and for one moment do what you prayerfully believe God called you to do? 
• What Holy Moments did you experience this week?

MAKE A CONNECTION FOR THE CHILDREN: TRUSTING GOD IN ALL THINGS 

• Tell the family/group that they will be playing a game where one person gives directions (such as take 2 steps to the left), and one person wears a blindfold and listens carefully to the instructions given by their leader.
• Have the family/group pair up.
• Player A is the leader, and Player B is the blindfolded follower.
• Player B will close their eyes or put on a blindfold.
• Then Player A will hold Player B by the wrist to guide Player B on a journey around the room.
• Player A is to guide them physically as well as verbally by giving instructions.
• Then the players can switch roles.

• Was this game easy or hard? Why?
• What are examples of ways to trust God in everyday situations? (when my friend has hurt me, when I have been excluded)

Approximate Time: 30 minutes

Hints: Make sure to go over safety rules.

Closing Prayer:
Jesus, I trust in you. Amen

Click to Watch the Part 4 Homily

During the season of Advent, you rightly ponder the many beautiful, perplexing mysteries of that singular, historic event we call the Incarnation of Jesus, when God became man. It is incomprehensible that God should become a man, yet every Christmas, children grasp this story with ease. This is the nature of the mystery: easy yet profound; simple yet elusive.

Scripture Reference: Luke 2: 1-20

• What does it mean for you to enter a life-changing friendship with Jesus?
• What Holy Moments did you experience this week?

MAKE A CONNECTION FOR THE CHILDREN: JESUS IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN HEAVEN AND EARTH 

• Divide the group into small teams. (see hints)
  • Their task is to build a bridge with their team.
  • They are going to build a bridge using only the newspaper, popsicle sticks and masking tape.
  • The bridge must be strong enough to hold 3 books.
  • The bridge must be tall enough for the shoe box to pass through it.
  • The bridge must be free-standing.
• Process:
  • Tell them they will have 5 minutes to plan, discuss, etc., and to be sure everyone in the group is included. DO THEY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? Time the 5 minutes.
  • After the 5-minute discussion period, pass out the newspaper, tape and other supplies. Inform the group they will now have 15 minutes to construct their bridge.
  • Call time and have one group at a time present their bridge. A spokesperson from each group will talk about their bridge and pass the box under and then put the books on top. When the books are put on top, all will count for 10 seconds. (This will be done for each group).

• If in a small family, work together as a team.
• If in a large family or in the classroom, divide into teams.

• How did you work as a group?
• Which part was the most difficult?
• What was your role on the team?
• How did your group communicate ideas with one another?

• How do you communicate with Jesus?
• What would a friendship with Jesus look like to you?
• What Holy Moments did you experience this Advent season?
• How can you continue to have Holy Moments in your life?

Closing Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I open my heart and I Invite you to be my friend. Help me to follow you. Amen.