Children's Liturgy Guide

Mary, Mother of God

Year A · Christmas

Mary Treasured Everything in Her Heart

Reading: Luke 2:16-21

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 shepherds hurried to find baby Jesus, just as the angels told them. When they saw Mary, Joseph, and the baby, they told everyone what had happened. Mary kept all these special things in her heart, thinking about them quietly.

Key Points

  • The shepherds found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus exactly as the angel described
  • Mary treasured all these events and pondered them in her heart
  • Jesus received his name on the eighth day, as the angel had instructed
  • Mary is celebrated as the Mother of God because Jesus is truly God and truly human
  • Remembering and thinking about God's gifts helps us grow closer to him

Background

This reading occurs on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, celebrated on January 1st, the octave day of Christmas. The title 'Mother of God' (Theotokos) was formally defined at the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, affirming that Mary bore not merely a human nature but the divine Person of Christ. The shepherds' visit fulfills the angelic announcement from Luke 2:8-15. Mary's 'treasuring' and 'pondering' (Greek: symballousa, literally 'throwing together') suggests she was piecing together the meaning of these events, modeling contemplative faith. The naming of Jesus on the eighth day connects to Jewish circumcision practices and fulfills Gabriel's instruction at the Annunciation. For children, emphasize that Mary kept these special memories in her heart like treasures, and we can remember God's love the same way. Set aside the theological complexities of the Theotokos definition and focus on Mary as Jesus's loving mother who paid attention to God's work.

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 giving us Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Help us to treasure your love in our hearts the way Mary did, and to remember all the wonderful things you do for us. 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 something so special happen that you wanted to remember it forever? Maybe a birthday or a trip? What did you do to help yourself remember it?

Example: When we went to see Grandma for Christmas, I wanted to remember it so much that I kept thinking about it before I fell asleep and I told my mom about it lots of times.

Bridge to the reading: It sounds like you know how to treasure special memories. In today's reading, we will hear about Mary, Jesus's mother, and how she treasured all the amazing things happening around her baby in her heart.

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. Who came to visit baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph?

    Example: The shepherds came to visit them because the angels told them about the baby Jesus being born in Bethlehem.

  2. What did the shepherds do after they saw baby Jesus?

    Example: The shepherds told everyone about what the angel had said and what they saw, and people were amazed by their story.

  3. What did Mary do when she heard all these things about her baby?

    Example: Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them a lot, like they were special treasures to her.

  4. Why do you think Mary wanted to treasure these things in her heart?

    Example: I think Mary knew her baby was very special and she wanted to remember everything because she loved Jesus so much.

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 have a really happy memory that you like to think about?

    Example: It feels warm and happy inside me, like when I think about my birthday party and I smile even though it already happened.

  2. What is one way you could keep God's love in your heart like Mary did?

    Example: I could think about how much God loves me before I go to sleep, or I could say thank you to God for good things.

  3. This week, what is one special thing about your family that you can treasure in your heart?

    Example: I can treasure that my mom reads to me at bedtime and my dad gives me hugs, and I can thank God for my family.

Recap

Today we heard about the shepherds visiting baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The shepherds told everyone the amazing news about Jesus. Mary, the mother of Jesus, treasured all these special things in her heart and thought about them. We can be like Mary and keep God's love in our hearts 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 mothers, that they may find joy in treasuring the special moments with their children as Mary did, 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 the Hail Mary at Mass or in our prayers, we say 'Holy Mary, Mother of God,' the same title we celebrate today. This prayer honors Mary just as the shepherds honored her by visiting the baby Jesus.

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 through Mary how to treasure your love in our hearts. Help us this week to remember your goodness and to thank you for our families. 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

Mary Treasured Everything in Her Heart

Luke 2:16-21

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.

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

Words to find

  • Mary
  • Jesus
  • shepherds
  • heart
  • treasure
  • Joseph
  • baby
  • angel
  • Bethlehem
  • remember
  • mother
  • love

ChildrensLiturgy.org