Children's Liturgy Guide

Christmas Vigil

Year B · Christmas

God Keeps His Promise

Reading: Matthew 1:1-25

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

Tonight we hear about how God kept a very special promise. For a long, long time, God told His people that He would send a Savior. Now, through Mary and Joseph, baby Jesus is finally coming into the world.

Key Points

  • God made a promise long ago to send a Savior, and He kept that promise
  • Joseph trusted God even when things were surprising and confusing
  • Jesus is called Emmanuel, which means God is with us
  • Mary and Joseph both said yes to being part of God's special plan

Background

This reading opens with a genealogy tracing Jesus's ancestry through Abraham and David, establishing Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament messianic promises. The narrative portion focuses on Joseph's dilemma upon discovering Mary's pregnancy and his obedient response to the angel's message. The angel explains that Mary's child is from the Holy Spirit and quotes Isaiah 7:14 about Emmanuel. Joseph's righteousness is shown through his willingness to divorce Mary quietly rather than expose her, and then through his immediate obedience to God's command. For children, emphasize the simple truth that God made a promise to send someone special to be with us, and He kept that promise by sending Jesus. Set aside the genealogy and the complexities of Joseph's situation regarding betrothal customs.

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. Thank you, God, for keeping your promises and sending us Jesus. Help us to trust you and say yes to you, just like Mary and Joseph did. 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 someone ever made you a promise and kept it? How did it feel when they did what they said they would do?

Example: My grandma promised she would come visit for my birthday, and she really came! I was so happy because I missed her and she brought me a present too.

Bridge to the reading: It feels so wonderful when someone keeps their promise to us. In tonight's reading, we hear about the biggest promise ever kept. God promised His people long, long ago that He would send someone very special to be with them, and tonight we celebrate that promise coming true.

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 speak to Joseph in a dream?

    Example: An angel came to talk to Joseph while he was sleeping. The angel told him important news about Mary and the baby.

  2. What did the angel tell Joseph to name the baby?

    Example: The angel said to name the baby Jesus because Jesus would save His people from their sins.

  3. The reading tells us Jesus would also be called Emmanuel. What does Emmanuel mean?

    Example: Emmanuel means God is with us. It is a special name that tells us God came to be with His people.

  4. Why do you think Joseph decided to do what the angel told him?

    Example: I think Joseph trusted God and wanted to do the right thing. He loved God and believed what the angel said was true.

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 to know that God wanted to come and be with us so much that He sent Jesus?

    Example: It makes me feel really loved and special, like God cares about me a lot and wants to be close to me.

  2. Joseph said yes to God even though it was surprising. When is a time you could say yes to helping someone in your family?

    Example: I could say yes to helping my little brother clean up his toys even when I want to play my own game instead.

  3. This week at Christmas, how can you remember that Emmanuel means God is with us?

    Example: When I see the baby Jesus in our nativity set, I can remember that God came to be with us and is still with me.

Recap

Today we heard about how God kept His biggest promise. Long ago, God told His people He would send a Savior. An angel came to Joseph and told him that baby Jesus was coming, and that Jesus would be called Emmanuel, which means God is with us. Mary and Joseph both said yes to God's plan, and that is why we celebrate Christmas.

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 families who are waiting and hoping for something special this Christmas, that they may trust in God's promises, we pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for sending Jesus to be with us. Help us to remember that you always keep your promises and that you are always near. May we say yes to you like Mary and Joseph 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

God Keeps His Promise

Matthew 1:1-25

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Joseph
  • Mary
  • angel
  • promise
  • Emmanuel
  • dream
  • baby
  • Savior
  • Christmas
  • trust
  • God

ChildrensLiturgy.org