December 20th CLW Lesson

A reading from the book of Luke 1:26-38: The angel Gabriel was sent by God to the town of Nazareth to visit a woman named Mary.  Mary was surprised to be visited by an angel.  However, the angel said, "Hail, full of grace!  The Lord is with you.  Do not be afraid.  God is very happy with you!"  Gabriel told Mary that she would have a baby, a son, and that she would name him Jesus.   "Jesus will be a great man and rule over a kingdom that will have no end!"  Mary did not understand how what the angel was saying could be right as she was not even married yet to the man she planned to marry, a man named Joseph.  However, Gabriel told Mary that God would give her this gift through the Holy Spirit and that nothing was impossible with God!  Mary told the angel that she loved God and looked forward to being the mother of baby Jesus.


The angel Gabriel is who our church is named after.  He gave the good news to Mary, telling her about Jesus.  Mary loved God with all her heart and trusted him.   We too should trust God with all our heart and love him like Mary, even when something happens to us that we don't expect.  God loves us and knows what is best for us.  

Notice the words the Angel Gabriel uses to greet Mary:  "Hail, full of grace.  The Lord is with you."  Do you recognize that in any prayer we say?  It is the first lines of Hail Mary.  This is where those words come from!  

This Sunday, the 4th Sundayof Advent, we get closer to the coming of Jesus through penance and prayer.  We light the last Purple candle on our Advent wreath.  It symbolizes Peace.

Questions to ask your child about this week's lesson:
1) Who was the angel that appeared to Mary? (Gabriel)
2) How do you think that  Mary felt when the angel appeared to her? (scared? excited?)  Do you think it was hard for Mary to trust God?
3) How can we show God's love and trust in God like Mary during this Advent season?
 

COLORING SHEET

by CatholicMom