Children's Liturgy Guide

Christmas Day

Year B · Christmas

The Good News Messenger

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 today's reading, Isaiah tells us about a messenger running across the mountains to share wonderful news: God is coming to save His people! Everyone is so happy they start singing and shouting for joy because God loves the whole world.

Key Points

  • A messenger brings good news that God is coming to save His people
  • The watchmen see the messenger coming and sing out with joy
  • God shows His saving love to all the ends of the earth
  • Christmas is when God's good news comes true: Jesus is born

Background

Isaiah 52:7-10 is a prophetic hymn announcing the return of the Lord to Zion after the Babylonian exile. The 'messenger' (Hebrew: mevasser) proclaims peace and salvation, a scene that the early Church interpreted as prefiguring the announcement of Christ's birth. The 'holy arm' of the Lord refers to God's mighty action in salvation history, made visible to all nations. For children, emphasize the joy of receiving wonderful news and the image of a messenger running to share it, connecting this to the angels announcing Jesus' birth. Set aside the historical context of exile and the theological complexity of messianic fulfillment.

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 us the best news ever: that Jesus is born on Christmas Day. Help us to be filled with joy and to share this good news 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 all the way to my grandma's house to tell her because I was so excited!

Bridge to the reading: You know that wonderful feeling of wanting to share exciting news with everyone! In today's reading, we hear about a messenger who runs across the mountains because he has the best news ever to share: God is coming to save His people!

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 messenger doing in today's reading?

    Example: The messenger was running across the mountains to bring good news to the people and tell them that God was coming.

  2. How did the people feel when they heard the good news?

    Example: The people were so happy that the watchmen started singing and shouting for joy together.

  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 the messenger ran so fast to share this news?

    Example: I think the messenger ran fast because the news was so wonderful and important that everyone needed to hear it right away.

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 your heart when someone shares really happy news with you?

    Example: It feels like my heart gets warm and bubbly inside and I just want to smile really big and jump around.

  2. Who is someone in your family you could tell the happy news that Jesus is born?

    Example: I could tell my little brother because he is just learning about Jesus and it would make him really happy.

  3. This week, how could you be like the messenger and share joy with a friend at school or in your neighborhood?

    Example: I could draw a Christmas picture for my friend and tell them that Jesus loves them and that is good news.

Recap

Today we heard about a messenger who ran across the mountains to share wonderful news: God is coming to save His people! Everyone was so happy they sang and shouted for joy. On Christmas Day, we celebrate because this good news came true: Jesus was born! God wants us to share this joyful news with everyone.

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 the children around the world who have not yet heard the good news that Jesus loves them, 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 reads the Gospel, we stand and sing 'Alleluia' with joy, just like the watchmen in today's reading who sing out when they see the good news messenger coming.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of Jesus on this Christmas Day. Fill our hearts with joy so that we may share Your good news 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

The Good News Messenger

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.

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

Words to find

  • messenger
  • mountains
  • peace
  • joy
  • singing
  • Jesus
  • Christmas
  • news
  • love
  • watchmen
  • born
  • happy

ChildrensLiturgy.org