Children's Liturgy Guide

Holy Family

Year C · Christmas

Jesus in His Father's House

Reading: Luke 2:41-52

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

When Jesus was twelve years old, he went to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph for a special feast. He stayed behind in the Temple talking with the teachers, and when his parents found him, he said he needed to be in his Father's house.

Key Points

  • Jesus called the Temple his Father's house because God is his heavenly Father
  • Mary and Joseph were worried and searched for Jesus for three days
  • Jesus obeyed Mary and Joseph and went home with them
  • Families care for each other and sometimes worry when someone is missing
  • Jesus grew up in a family just like we do

Background

This Gospel reveals Jesus's self-awareness of his divine sonship at age twelve, the first recorded words of Jesus in Luke's Gospel. The phrase 'my Father's house' indicates Jesus's unique relationship with God the Father, a theological claim that Mary and Joseph did not fully understand at the time. Luke emphasizes that despite this divine identity, Jesus remained obedient to his earthly parents, modeling the fourth commandment. The passage balances Jesus's divine nature with his true humanity growing up in a human family. For children, emphasize that Jesus had a family who loved him and worried about him, and that Jesus listened to his parents and went home with them, rather than focusing on the complex Christological implications of his Temple statement.

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 giving us families who love us and take care of us. Help us to listen to our parents and to remember that we are always your children too. 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.

Have you ever gotten separated from your mom or dad in a store or a busy place? What happened?

Example: One time at the grocery store I went to look at the toys and my mom could not find me and she was really worried and then she found me and gave me a big hug.

Bridge to the reading: It sounds like your families were very worried when they could not find you, and so happy when you were together again! In today's reading, we will hear about a time when Mary and Joseph could not find Jesus, and how worried they were until they found him in a very special place.

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. Where did Mary and Joseph take Jesus for the special feast?

    Example: They took Jesus to Jerusalem, which was a big city where the Temple was and lots of people went there for the special feast.

  2. When Mary and Joseph started going home, what did they discover?

    Example: They discovered that Jesus was not with them in the group, and they had been traveling for a whole day without knowing he was missing.

  3. Where did Mary and Joseph finally find Jesus, and what was he doing?

    Example: They found Jesus in the Temple, and he was sitting with the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions about God.

  4. What did Jesus say when Mary asked why he stayed behind?

    Example: Jesus said that he had to be in his Father's house, which meant the Temple because God is his heavenly Father.

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 think Mary and Joseph felt when they could not find Jesus for three days?

    Example: I think they felt really scared and worried because they loved Jesus so much and they did not know where he was or if he was okay.

  2. Jesus listened to Mary and Joseph and went home with them. How do you listen to your parents at home?

    Example: I listen to my parents when they tell me to clean up my toys, or when they say it is time for dinner or time to go to bed.

  3. This week, how can you show your family that you love them like Jesus loved his family?

    Example: I could help my mom set the table without being asked, or I could play nicely with my brother and share my toys with him.

Recap

Today we heard about the time Jesus went to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph. When his parents could not find him, they were very worried. They found him in the Temple, which Jesus called his Father's house because God is his heavenly Father. Even though Jesus is God's Son, he obeyed Mary and Joseph and went home with them. Jesus shows us how to love and listen to our families.

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, that they may love and care for one another the way the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph 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 is 'the only Son of God' and was 'born of the Virgin Mary.' Today's reading shows us Jesus as a boy with his mother Mary, and he calls God his Father, just like we say in the Creed.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank you for the gift of our families. Help us to be like Jesus, to listen to our parents and to remember that we are your children too. Bless our families and keep us close to you always. 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

Jesus in His Father's House

Luke 2:41-52

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.

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

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Mary
  • Joseph
  • Temple
  • Jerusalem
  • family
  • Father
  • home
  • teachers
  • love
  • obey
  • search

ChildrensLiturgy.org