Children's Liturgy Guide

1st Sunday of Advent

Year A · Advent

Walking in God's Light

Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

The prophet Isaiah tells us about a special time when people will come to God's mountain to learn his ways. God will help people turn their swords into plows for growing food, and everyone will walk together in God's light.

Key Points

  • Advent is a time of waiting and preparing for Jesus
  • Isaiah shares a vision of peace where weapons become tools for growing food
  • God invites all people to walk in his light
  • We can be peacemakers while we wait for Jesus

Background

Isaiah 2:1-5 is an eschatological vision of the messianic age, presenting the mountain of the Lord as the destination for all nations seeking divine instruction. The transformation of swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks represents the cessation of war and the establishment of lasting peace under God's reign. This oracle anticipates the coming of the Messiah and fits perfectly with Advent's themes of hopeful waiting. For children, emphasize the concrete image of turning fighting tools into gardening tools and the invitation to walk in God's light. Set aside the geopolitical scope and the complex theology of the nations streaming to Zion.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear God, thank you for this special time of Advent when we get ready for Jesus. Help us to walk in your light and to be peaceful with everyone we meet. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever had to wait for something really exciting, like a birthday or a special visit from someone you love? What did you do while you were waiting?

Example: I had to wait for my grandma to come visit us and I made her a picture and helped my mom clean up the house to get ready for her.

Bridge to the reading: Waiting and getting ready is exactly what we do in Advent. We are waiting for Jesus! In today's reading, we will hear about how the prophet Isaiah tells people to get ready by walking in God's light and being peaceful.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Where does Isaiah say people will go to learn about God?

    Example: Isaiah says people will go up to God's mountain, to the house of the Lord, to learn about God and his ways.

  2. What does Isaiah say will happen to the swords and spears?

    Example: Isaiah says the swords will be turned into plows and the spears will become tools for cutting plants in the garden.

  3. What did Isaiah say people would stop doing to each other?

    Example: Isaiah said people would stop fighting wars and they would not learn how to fight anymore because there would be peace.

  4. What does Isaiah invite everyone to do at the end of the reading?

    Example: Isaiah invites everyone to come and walk in the light of the Lord together, which means following God's ways.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How do you feel when you are fighting or arguing with someone, and how do you feel after you make peace?

    Example: When I am fighting I feel angry and my tummy hurts, but after I say sorry and make up I feel happy and calm inside.

  2. What could you do to be a peacemaker if your friends are having an argument at school?

    Example: I could help them talk to each other nicely and maybe share or take turns so nobody has to be mad anymore.

  3. This week at home, how could you turn something that causes fighting into something good?

    Example: If my brother and I fight over a toy, I could share it with him or we could play with it together instead of grabbing it.

Recap

Today we heard the prophet Isaiah tell us about a wonderful time of peace. God will help people turn their swords into plows for growing food, and no one will fight anymore. Isaiah invites us to walk in God's light. During Advent, we get ready for Jesus by being peacemakers and following God's way of love.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For children around the world who live in places where there is fighting, that they may know God's peace and comfort, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for teaching us about peace today. Help us to walk in your light this Advent and to be peacemakers in our homes and schools. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Walking in God's Light

Isaiah 2:1-5

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

M F U X X Z B U I Q D K D I M
T D V T G E A F N P A S X M Y
P C M J T J D Z T E F O P O I
L N S O B A V T H G I L T U W
O A U S J G E S M K K U M N A
W T X B C D N N V E R V T T L
S I Q J X G T Y T C D D E A K
I O U C X N V M Y Z Q O Y I K
X N A E H I S W O R D S Q N Q
I S N Q P T E A Z V G W N I M
C I U M W I R R Y A Y R D S B
Y K Q D Z A A D Y S A Q B A V
J M D G R W K H K E C E Z I T
E E T O M O T V L L C P G A M
X P E A C E L O G S W S G H N

Words to find

  • Isaiah
  • peace
  • light
  • mountain
  • swords
  • plows
  • Advent
  • waiting
  • walk
  • Lord
  • nations
  • learn

ChildrensLiturgy.org