Children’s liturgy – Third Sunday of Advent (Year B) – Sunday 14 December 2014 Preparing the worship space

Colour: purple

Ask the children to colour in the accompanying illustration and draw or write on the back how they will share the light of Jesus over the coming week.

Make a paper lantern with the children.

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  Cut a 1cm wide strip from the short edge of your A4 piece of coloured paper. This will be your hanging loop.
  
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  Now cut a square 20cm x 20cm and fold in half.
  
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  Cutting inwards from the folded edge of the paper, snip flaps that finish approximately 3cm from the top of the paper. Each flap should be spaced about 2cm apart. It may be easier to mark the lines first with a pencil.
  
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  To make the lantern shape, unfold the creased edge and roll the paper to form a tube with the slits standing vertically. Glue the edges of the tube together to form a round lantern, then gently press downwards so that the slits splay out slightly.
  
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  Glue the ends of the hanging loop to the top of the lantern.
  
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  Decorate the lantern however you wish.
  

Print out the prayer below on A4 paper (or ask the children to write their own prayer on a sheet of paper). Ask them to decorate it as well if you have time. Roll it up and make a candle shape. Stick some tissue paper flames to the top to make a paper candle. Ask them to say the prayer at home during the coming week.

Ask the children to go home and share all that they have heard and thought about today. Ask them to try to do all that they can to share the light of Jesus through their actions in the coming week.

Nitu’s story:

Nitu is 10 years old and lives in Bangladesh with her mum, dad and big brother Niam.

Nitu’s favourite subject at school is English. She studies very hard and is at the top of her class. She says “It makes me happy and proud to be at the top of the class. I study a lot. I always want to be the top scorer, so I study more and more!”

Nitu has lots of friends and when she is not studying she plays games outside in the compound where she lives and sometimes she watches TV at her neighbours house.

It takes Nitu 20 minutes to walk home from school. She swings easily on her crutches and chats to her friends all the way home.

Nitu became disabled when she was six years old. She was playing games when she fell over and broke her leg. Nitu’s mum says “We tried to treat Nitu’s leg at the doctors but there were complications and it hasn’t worked properly since. The last time I took her to the doctor I spent 10,000 taka (£100) – my husband only earns 1000 taka a month (£10). I try to do everything right but sometimes it’s difficult”.

Nitu goes to a disabled group every week, which is supported by CAFOD. The people at this group are very active and do everything for themselves. Seeing what they can do gives Nitu confidence that she can do whatever she wants to if she puts her mind to it.

Nitu says “Sometimes children at school call me names and it makes me cry, but going to the disabled group helps me to feel better. It’s good to talk to people who are disabled and who are also confident.”

God of light, shine brightly,

show us how

to bring hope to others.

God of mercy, help us

to comfort people and

to share in their joy.

God of hope,

help us this Advent,

to share your light with others.

Amen.