Children's Liturgy Guide

Christmas Day

Year A · Christmas

Good News for Everyone

Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10

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

In this reading, a messenger runs to tell everyone wonderful news: God is coming to save his people! Everyone is so happy that they shout for joy and sing together because God shows his love to the whole world.

Key Points

  • A messenger brings good news by running over the mountains to announce that God saves his people
  • The watchmen see the messenger coming and burst into singing together
  • God comforts his people and shows his saving love to all the ends of the earth
  • Christmas is when God sent Jesus as the greatest good news for everyone

Background

Isaiah 52:7-10 is a prophetic oracle celebrating the return of God's reign to Zion after the Babylonian exile. The messenger announces peace and salvation, the watchmen break into jubilant song, and the passage culminates in the universal revelation of God's saving arm to all nations. For children, emphasize the concrete image of the messenger running with exciting news and everyone bursting into joyful singing, setting aside the historical context of exile and the theological complexity of messianic prophecy. Connect the messenger's good news to the Christmas proclamation: Jesus is born, and this is the best news for the whole world.

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 the wonderful gift of Baby Jesus on this Christmas Day. Help us to share the good news of your love 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 really exciting news that you just could not wait to tell someone? What was it like?

Example: One time I found out we were getting a puppy and I ran so fast to tell my grandma because I was so excited and happy!

Bridge to the reading: You know that feeling of having news so wonderful you just have to share it! In today's reading, we will hear about a messenger who runs over the mountains to share the most exciting news ever, and when people hear it, they all start singing for joy.

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. What does the messenger in the reading do to bring the good news?

    Example: The messenger runs really fast over the mountains to bring the good news to the people waiting.

  2. What do the watchmen do when they see the messenger coming with good news?

    Example: The watchmen are so happy that they lift up their voices and start singing together with joy.

  3. Who does the reading say will see God's saving love?

    Example: The reading says that all the ends of the earth will see God's saving love, which means everyone everywhere.

  4. Why do you think everyone was so happy to hear this good news?

    Example: I think everyone was happy because they found out that God loves them and wants to help them and be close to them.

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 inside when someone shares really happy news with you?

    Example: It makes my heart feel warm and bubbly and I get a big smile on my face and I want to jump around!

  2. Who is someone at home or school that you could share the good news about Baby Jesus being born?

    Example: I could tell my little cousin about Baby Jesus because she does not know the Christmas story very well yet.

  3. This week, what is one way you could be like the messenger and spread joy to someone?

    Example: I could make a Christmas card for my neighbor and draw Baby Jesus on it to share the happy news with her.

Recap

Today we heard about a messenger who ran over the mountains to share wonderful news with everyone. The news was so good that people shouted and sang for joy! On Christmas, we celebrate the best news of all: Jesus is born, and God's love is for the whole world.

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 people all around the world who have not yet heard the good news of Jesus' love, that messengers may bring them joy this Christmas, 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.

At the end of Mass, the deacon or priest says 'Go forth' or 'Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord,' sending us out like messengers to share the good news of Jesus, just as the messenger in Isaiah ran to share good news with everyone.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for sending Jesus as the best good news for the whole world. Help us to be joyful messengers who share your love with everyone we meet. 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

Good News for Everyone

Isaiah 52:7-10

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.

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

Words to find

  • messenger
  • mountains
  • peace
  • singing
  • watchmen
  • Jesus
  • Christmas
  • joy
  • good
  • news
  • love
  • world

ChildrensLiturgy.org