Children's Liturgy Guide

2nd Sunday of Advent

Year A · Advent

Get Ready for Jesus

Reading: Matthew 3:1-12

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

John the Baptist lived in the desert and told everyone to get their hearts ready because Jesus was coming. He wanted people to change and do good things so they would be ready to welcome Jesus.

Key Points

  • John the Baptist was a special messenger who prepared people for Jesus
  • Getting ready for Jesus means changing our hearts and doing good things
  • Advent is our time to prepare our hearts for Jesus, just like the people did long ago
  • John told people to show they were sorry by being kind and doing what is right

Background

In this Gospel, John the Baptist appears as the prophetic forerunner of Christ, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of a voice crying in the wilderness. His call to repentance and baptism prepared Israel for the Messiah's arrival. John's message about bearing good fruit refers to living a life that demonstrates genuine conversion, not merely external religious observance. The imagery of the ax at the root of trees and winnowing with fire speaks to divine judgment, but these are adult theological concepts. For children, emphasize the simple, joyful idea that John helped people get their hearts ready for Jesus, and that Advent is our special time to do the same. Set aside the judgment imagery and focus on preparation and welcome.

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 sending John the Baptist to help people get ready for Jesus. Please help us get our hearts ready to welcome Jesus this Advent. 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 get ready for someone special coming to visit, like grandparents or a new baby? What did you do to get ready?

Example: When my grandma was coming to visit, we cleaned up the whole house and I made her a picture to hang on the wall because I wanted everything to be nice for her.

Bridge to the reading: You worked so hard to get everything ready for someone special! In today's reading, we will hear about a man named John who helped everyone get ready for the most special visitor ever, Jesus!

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 did John the Baptist live and tell people his message?

    Example: John lived out in the desert, which is a wild place with not many people around, and he told everyone his message there.

  2. What did John tell the people to do to get ready?

    Example: John told the people to change their hearts and be sorry for the bad things they did so they could be ready for Jesus.

  3. What happened to the people who came to see John at the river?

    Example: The people who came to see John were baptized in the river, which means water was poured on them to show they wanted to change.

  4. Why do you think John wanted everyone to get ready before Jesus came?

    Example: I think John wanted everyone to have clean hearts so they could be really happy and ready to listen to Jesus and follow him.

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 does it feel when you are getting ready for something exciting, like Christmas morning?

    Example: It feels really exciting and happy, like my tummy has butterflies, and I can hardly wait for the special day to come.

  2. What is one kind thing you could do at home to get your heart ready for Jesus?

    Example: I could share my toys with my sister without being asked, or I could help my mom clean up after dinner.

  3. This week, how could you show Jesus you are getting your heart ready for him?

    Example: I could say a little prayer every night and try really hard to be nice to my friends at school even when it is hard.

Recap

Today we heard about John the Baptist, who lived in the desert and told everyone to get their hearts ready because Jesus was coming. John wanted people to change and do good things. Advent is our special time to get our hearts ready for Jesus too!

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 all the children preparing their hearts for Jesus this Advent, that they may grow in kindness and love, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

When we pray 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof' before Communion, we are preparing our hearts to receive Jesus, just like John told people to prepare their hearts for Jesus coming.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us Advent to get ready for you. Help us to have kind hearts and to do good things this week. 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

Get Ready for Jesus

Matthew 3:1-12

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.

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

Words to find

  • John
  • Baptist
  • desert
  • ready
  • Jesus
  • Advent
  • heart
  • river
  • prepare
  • change
  • welcome
  • waiting

ChildrensLiturgy.org