Children's Liturgy Guide

Immaculate Conception

Year C · 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 special message from God. God wanted Mary to be the mother of Jesus, and Mary said yes even though she was surprised and a little scared.

Key Points

  • The angel Gabriel was sent by God to deliver an important message to Mary
  • Mary was chosen by God for a very special job: to be the mother of Jesus
  • Even though Mary was surprised, she trusted God and said yes
  • Mary's yes shows us how to trust God even when things seem hard or confusing

Background

This Gospel is proclaimed on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, which celebrates that Mary was conceived without original sin, prepared by God from the very beginning to be the mother of Jesus. The theological depth here includes Mary's unique grace, her fiat (let it be done), and her role in salvation history. For children, emphasize Mary's brave and trusting yes to God's invitation, and set aside the doctrinal details about original sin and the Immaculate Conception itself. Focus on how Mary listened to God's messenger and chose to trust, even when she did not understand everything.

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 Mary, who listened to your angel and said yes to you. Help us to trust you and say yes to you, just like Mary 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 anyone ever asked you to do something that seemed really hard or a little scary at first? What was it like to decide to try it anyway?

Example: One time my mom asked me to go talk to a new kid at school, and I was nervous because I did not know what to say.

Bridge to the reading: It can be hard to say yes when something feels big or scary. In today's reading, we will hear about a young woman named Mary who got a very surprising message, and she had to decide if she would say yes to something very special from God.

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 named Gabriel came to visit Mary because God sent him to tell her something important.

  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 God's Son named Jesus.

  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 angels do not visit people every day.

  4. What did Mary say to the angel at the end of their talk?

    Example: Mary said yes to God, and she told the angel that she would do whatever God wanted her to do.

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 you trust someone, even if you do not understand everything they are asking?

    Example: It feels a little bit nervous in my tummy, but also good because I know they love me and will help me.

  2. What is one way you could say yes to helping at home, even if it seems hard?

    Example: I could say yes to cleaning up my toys even when I really want to keep playing with them instead.

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

    Example: I could say a little prayer at bedtime and tell God I will try my best to listen to him.

Recap

Today we heard how the angel Gabriel visited Mary with amazing news from God. Mary was surprised, but she trusted God and said yes. Mary shows us that we can say yes to God, too, even when we feel a little scared or do not understand everything.

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 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 'born of the Virgin Mary.' Today's reading tells us the moment when Mary first learned she would be Jesus' mother and said yes to God.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank you, God, for giving us Mary as an example of trusting you. Help us to listen to you and say yes with brave and loving hearts. 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.

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

Words to find

  • Mary
  • Gabriel
  • angel
  • Jesus
  • God
  • trust
  • yes
  • mother
  • message
  • listen
  • blessed
  • heart

ChildrensLiturgy.org