Children's Liturgy Guide

Immaculate Conception

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 visited a young woman named Mary with a very special message from God. God wanted Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Mary was surprised but she trusted God and said yes.

Key Points

  • God chose Mary for a very special job: to be the mother of Jesus
  • The angel Gabriel brought God's message to Mary
  • Mary was surprised and a little afraid, but she listened carefully
  • Mary said yes to God even though she did not understand everything
  • When we trust God, we can say yes to Him too

Background

This Gospel is proclaimed on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, which celebrates Mary's conception without original sin, preparing her to be the Mother of God. The theological depth here includes the Incarnation, Mary's fiat, and her unique role in salvation history. Gabriel's greeting 'full of grace' (kecharitomene) indicates Mary's state of grace from conception. For children, emphasize Mary's trust and her willingness to say yes to God's plan, setting aside the complex doctrine of the Immaculate Conception and theological terms like 'full of grace' in their technical sense. Focus on the concrete scene: an angel appears, delivers a message, Mary listens and responds with trust. Children can relate to being asked to do something big and feeling nervous but choosing to trust.

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 choosing Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Help us to listen to You and say yes to You just 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.

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, maybe something that felt a little bit big or scary? What was it like?

Example: My mom asked me to help watch my little brother at the park and I felt nervous because he runs really fast, but I said okay.

Bridge to the reading: It can feel big when someone asks us to do something important, especially if we are not sure we can do it. In today's reading, we will hear about a young woman named Mary who got a very big and surprising message from God, and we will see what she decided to do.

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 with a message from God?

    Example: An angel came to visit her. His name was Gabriel and he was sent by God to talk to Mary.

  2. What did the angel tell Mary that God wanted her to do?

    Example: The angel said God wanted Mary to be the mother of a very special baby named Jesus who would be God's Son.

  3. How do you think Mary felt when she heard this surprising news from the angel?

    Example: I think Mary felt really surprised and maybe a little bit scared because it was such big news to hear.

  4. What did Mary say to God at the end? Did she say yes or no?

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

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 trusts you to do something important?

    Example: It makes me feel kind of proud and special but also a little nervous because I want to do a good job.

  2. What is something you could say yes to at home, even if it feels a little hard?

    Example: I could say yes to helping set the table every night even when I want to keep playing with my toys.

  3. This week, how could you show God that you trust Him, just like Mary did?

    Example: I could say my prayers every night and ask God to help me be good and listen to my mom and dad.

Recap

Today we heard about the angel Gabriel visiting Mary with an amazing message from God. God chose Mary to be the mother of Jesus. Mary was surprised, but she trusted God and said yes. We can be like Mary by trusting God and saying yes when He asks us to do something, even if it feels big.

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 have the courage to trust and say yes like 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 Creed at Mass, we say that Jesus 'was incarnate of the Virgin Mary' and bow our heads. This moment remembers exactly what we hear in today's Gospel: Mary saying yes so that Jesus could come to us.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, God, for the story of Mary and how she trusted You. Help us to listen for Your voice and to say yes to You every day. 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.

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

Words to find

  • Mary
  • angel
  • Gabriel
  • Jesus
  • trust
  • message
  • mother
  • listen
  • heaven
  • blessed
  • yes

ChildrensLiturgy.org