Children's Liturgy Series: The 3rd Sunday of Advent (Cycle C)

In today's Gospel, we learn about how true repentance involves action, and is necessary to prepare the way for the Lord.

Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and our minds. Fill us with peace, love, and understanding. Help us to hear God's message today and help us to recognize when God is trying to speak to us in our daily lives. Amen

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him,“ And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.”

Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

Say: Often we have occasions that require us to wait for someone or something. But these experiences can be very different. Let's think about this. 

Ask: How does waiting for an appointment at a doctor's office compare with waiting for a visit from a friend? To help us consider this question, let's think about the following: How might you feel in each situation? (You are probably looking forward to your friend's visit. You may or may not be looking forward to the doctor's appointment.) What might you be doing while you wait? (At the doctor's office, you might not do anything in particular, or you might read to pass the time. While waiting for your friend, you might be getting things ready.) Both situations require us to wait, but how might we summarize how these two situations are different? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Say: Advent is the season in the Church year that focuses on the experience of waiting. We think about how the Israelites waited for the Messiah. We think about how we wait for Jesus to come again in glory. 

Ask: Which groups question John? (the crowds, the tax collectors, the soldiers) How does John respond to each of these? (To the crowds, he says share what you have with others. To the tax collectors, he says be just. To the soldiers, he says be fair.) John teaches that there are things people must do to prepare for the Lord.

Ask: Which kind of waiting experience is more like Advent— waiting for a doctor's appointment or waiting for a friend's visit? (waiting for a friend's visit) Why? (It is something we look forward to; there are things we are supposed to do during this time of waiting.)

Say: Advent is a time of active waiting as we prepare to celebrate Jesus' birth and await his coming in glory. What are some things you might do during Advent to prepare for the Lord? (Accept all reasonable answers.) Suggest that each person choose one thing to do during Advent to prepare the way of the Lord.

Father in heaven, for the sake of bringing others closer to you, we give you today, all that we think and do and say, and we join it with all that was done by Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen