The Nativity Scene
As you set up your nativity scene in your home this year (or if you do not have one, gather around the crèche in church one Sunday before Christmas) talk about the many ways each of the figures can teach us about waiting for Jesus, following Jesus, or receiving Jesus.
Click HERE for a Nativity Scene Prayer (Catholic Relief Services). And in Spanish HERE.
Need a (new) nativity scene for your home. Here are 9 Unique Nativity Scenes!
Playlist
Click HERE for a Nativity Scene Prayer (Catholic Relief Services). And in Spanish HERE.
Need a (new) nativity scene for your home. Here are 9 Unique Nativity Scenes!
Playlist
- 5 Minutes or less: Ask your children what they wonder, or what they love, about the Nativity scene.
- 15 -30 minutes: Read them the story of Jesus birth from either the Gospel of Matthew or the Gospel of Luke.
- 15-30 minutes: Or teach your children about the first Nativity scene in 1223. St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated as the inventor of the first Nativity scene. You can read about it HERE or purchase a children's book on the story of the first creche.
What is Las Posadas?Posadas, a word that means "shelter" or "lodging," is an Advent custom in Mexico. It re-enacts Mary and Joseph's search for lodging as they traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The Posadas takes place over nine days, Dec. 16-24, which symbolizes the nine months of Mary's pregnancy. People go from house to house seeking lodging, but the "innkeepers" refuse to let them stay. On Christmas Eve, the travelers are finally welcomed at the last house where they celebrate the birth of Jesus.
To learn more about Las Posadas click HERE. Did you see the Animated movie The Star? Click HERE for a family lesson on Las Posadas inspired by the movie. |
Video in Spanish
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Characters of the Nativity
Explore the Nativity scene through the characters from the story. Learn about Mary, Joseph, the Wisemen and more. Imagine a modern day telling of the story, or guide your children through an imaginative feeling of the story.
5 Minutes or less (Video approx. 2 minutes)
Who was Mary? Why do we worship her? (Hint: we don't). Watch this video clip to learn more about what we really believe about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Then talk about the ways you will honor Mary and the Holy Family this Christmas season. Do you have a sacred prayer space in your home? This Christmas you might gather images of the Holy Family in that space. Or create a prayer space if you do not have one. 5 -10 minutes (Video approx. 4 minutes)
Here we have an imaginative look at what the nativity story would look like had it played out on social media. How might the courtship have taken place? How might the word of Mary's pregnancy spread? What does this re-telling make you wonder? How does it make you think about social media and the spreading of the Good News? How might you use it to share your faith? To wish others a happy and joy-filled Advent? |
10 minutes (Video approx. 6 minutes)
What about Joseph? We often see Christmas photos of the Madonna and child. In this video we are reminded not to leave Joseph out of the picture. For all you dads out there, your role in the formation of your child is greater than you could imagine. Talk about how daunting it might have been for Joseph to imagine raising the Son of God. How might dads and step-dads be uplifted by Joseph's example? 10 - 30 minutes (Video approx. 8 minutes)
The teaser, says Fr. Mike. Jesus' family, the genealogy, is a precursor to this nativity scene. There is brokenness is this family. There is dysfunction. But still, God works with the brokenness and all these people lead us to Jesus! Watch this video and talk about how God is working in your life. Or talk about your family lineage. What does your family tree look like? How does it help you or your children know your family identity? |
10 minutes - Half a day (Video approx. 10 minutes)
When three young boys are read the story of the Three Wise Men on Christmas Eve, they are asked to imagine themselves in the story as Three Wise Men. The result is a beautiful retelling for the most important event in history in the eyes of a two, four, and six year old. Watch this mini-movie together (maybe even on a larger screen) asking your children to imagine themselves in the role of the the Three Wise Men. If time allows, have your children re-tell the story in their own words, by acting it out, or by drawing pictures. |
Half a Day or More (Trailer approx. 2 minutes)
Watch this trailer and talk to your children about this creative telling of the Christmas story, told through the perspective of the animals. Then go see the movie. Click on our The Star page on the menu and find activities that go with this movie, from family conversations to Christmas activities with friends, community or parish. Find the link to the family curriculum HERE. The family curriculum is also available in Spanish HERE. |
Mary in Advent
Here we are reminded of the importance of Mary in our faith lives:
Joseph in Advent
And what can we learn from Joseph?
- Learning from the Silence and the Way of St. Joseph (Catholic Online)
- Joseph and the Walk of Faith (Transforming Center)