Children's Liturgy Guide

4th Sunday of Advent

Year B · Advent

Mary Says Yes to God

Reading: Luke 1:26-38

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

An angel named Gabriel came to visit a young woman named Mary. The angel told her that God had a very special plan for her to be the mother of Jesus. Mary was surprised and a little scared, but she said yes to God.

Key Points

  • God chose Mary for the most important job ever: to be Jesus's mother
  • Mary was brave enough to say yes even when she did not understand everything
  • When we say yes to God, amazing things can happen
  • The angel Gabriel brought good news from God

Background

This passage is the Annunciation, the moment when the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive and bear Jesus, the Son of God. Theologically, this is a pivotal moment in salvation history: Mary's fiat ('Let it be done to me according to your word') demonstrates her radical openness to God's will and her role as the new Eve whose obedience reverses the disobedience of Eden. Gabriel's greeting 'full of grace' (kecharitomene) indicates Mary's unique holiness and her Immaculate Conception. The title 'Son of the Most High' and the promise that his kingdom will have no end point to Jesus's divine nature and eternal kingship in the line of David. For children, emphasize Mary's courage in saying yes to something big and unknown, and the idea that God asks us to help with his plans too. Set aside deeper Mariological doctrines and the theology of the Incarnation for now.

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 the angel Gabriel to Mary with such wonderful news. Help us to be brave like Mary and say yes when you ask us to do something good. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 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.

Has a grownup ever asked you to do something really important, something that felt a little bit scary but also exciting?

Example: One time my mom asked me to carry my baby sister's bottle to her, and I was scared I might drop it, but I felt proud when I did it right.

Bridge to the reading: You know that feeling of being a little nervous but also wanting to help with something important? In today's reading, we will hear about a young woman named Mary who got the most important job anyone has ever been given, and she had to decide if she would say yes.

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 Mary in today's story?

    Example: An angel came to visit Mary. The angel's name was Gabriel, and he was sent by God to bring her a message.

  2. What special news did the angel tell Mary?

    Example: The angel told Mary that she was going to have a baby, and the baby would be called Jesus, the Son of God.

  3. How do you think Mary felt when she first saw the angel and heard this news?

    Example: I think Mary felt really surprised and maybe a little bit scared because it is not normal to see an angel standing there talking to you.

  4. What did Mary say at the end when the angel finished speaking?

    Example: Mary said yes to God. She said she would do whatever God wanted her to do, even though it was a big thing.

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 someone asks you to do something you have never done before?

    Example: Sometimes I feel nervous in my tummy because I do not know if I can do it right, but I also feel a little excited to try.

  2. What are some ways God might ask us to help, like helping a friend or being kind to someone?

    Example: God might want me to share my toys with someone who has none, or sit with a kid at lunch who looks lonely and sad.

  3. This week, how can you say yes to helping someone in your family, even if it feels hard?

    Example: I could say yes to helping my dad set the table for dinner, even when I really want to keep playing with my toys instead.

Recap

Today we heard about the angel Gabriel visiting Mary with amazing news from God. Mary was asked to be the mother of Jesus, God's own Son. Even though she was surprised and it was a big thing to say yes to, Mary trusted God and said yes. We can be brave like Mary and say yes when God asks us to help 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 are asked to do something hard this week, that they may be brave like Mary and trust in God's 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.

Just before we receive Jesus in Holy Communion, we pray 'Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.' Mary welcomed Jesus into her very self when she said yes to the angel. When we receive Communion, we also welcome Jesus into ourselves, just like Mary did.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for Mary who said yes to your plan. Help us to listen for your voice and to be brave when you ask us to help. May we trust you like Mary did. 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 Says Yes to God

Luke 1:26-38

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.

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

Words to find

  • Mary
  • Gabriel
  • angel
  • yes
  • Jesus
  • God
  • mother
  • brave
  • trust
  • news
  • plan
  • Son

ChildrensLiturgy.org