Children's Liturgy Guide

3rd Sunday of Advent

Year B · Advent

John Points to Jesus

Reading: John 1:6-8, 19-28

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

God sent a man named John to tell everyone that Jesus was coming. John was not the special Light, but he came to help people get ready and point them to Jesus, the true Light of the world.

Key Points

  • John the Baptist had an important job from God: to point people to Jesus
  • John was humble and knew he was not the Messiah, just a helper
  • John called himself a voice crying out, preparing the way for the Lord
  • We can be like John by helping others know about Jesus

Background

This Gospel introduces John the Baptist's role as the forerunner of Christ. The religious leaders questioned John about his identity, and he consistently deflected attention from himself to point toward Jesus, whom he says is so great that John is not worthy to untie his sandal strap. John identifies himself using Isaiah's prophecy as 'a voice crying out in the wilderness.' Theologically, John embodies the virtue of humility and the proper orientation of all ministry: pointing not to oneself but to Christ. The phrase 'he was not the light' establishes the distinction between the witness and the One witnessed to, a key Johannine theme. For children, emphasize that John had a very special job of helping people get ready for Jesus and pointing them to him, like a helpful friend who shows you where to find something wonderful. Set aside the theological complexities of messianic expectation and the political tensions with religious authorities.

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 people to help us learn about Jesus. Help us to listen carefully today and learn how we can point others to your Son. 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 helped someone find something they were looking for, like a lost toy or a person they needed to meet?

Example: One time my little brother could not find his teddy bear and I helped him look everywhere and then I found it under the couch and showed him where it was.

Bridge to the reading: You helped your brother by pointing him to exactly what he needed. In today's reading, we will hear about a man named John who had a very special job from God: pointing people to Jesus, the most important person they would ever meet.

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 was the name of the man God sent to tell people about Jesus?

    Example: The man's name was John. God sent him to come and tell everybody about Jesus who was coming soon.

  2. Was John the special Light that everyone was waiting for?

    Example: No, John was not the Light. He came to tell people about the Light, but Jesus is the real Light.

  3. What did John call himself when the leaders asked who he was?

    Example: John said he was like a voice calling out in the desert, telling everyone to get ready for someone special coming.

  4. Why do you think John kept telling people he was not the most important one?

    Example: I think John wanted everyone to pay attention to Jesus instead of him because Jesus was the really special one from God.

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 someone helps you find something or someone you have been looking for?

    Example: It feels really happy and relieved because I was worried and then my friend showed me right where to go and I found it.

  2. What is one way you could help a friend at school learn about Jesus?

    Example: I could invite my friend to come to church with me or I could tell them that Jesus loves them very much.

  3. This week, who is one person in your family you could point to Jesus by being kind and loving?

    Example: I could be extra nice to my little sister and share my toys with her so she can see how Jesus wants us to love each other.

Recap

Today we heard about John, a man God sent to help people get ready for Jesus. John was not the special Light, but he pointed everyone to Jesus, the true Light. We can be like John by helping the people around us learn about 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 children who do not yet know about Jesus, that someone will help point them to his 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 the priest or deacon holds up the Gospel book before reading, the assembly stands and sings 'Alleluia' to honor Jesus speaking to us. Just like John pointed people to Jesus, the Gospel proclamation points us to hear Jesus's own words.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, God, for people like John who help us find Jesus. Help us to be like John this week by pointing others to your love. 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

John Points to Jesus

John 1:6-8, 19-28

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

Words to find

  • John
  • Jesus
  • Light
  • voice
  • desert
  • pointing
  • helper
  • Advent
  • prepare
  • witness
  • baptize
  • joy

ChildrensLiturgy.org