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Stage 2 Module

Year 4 Advent to Christmas

http://www.biblevector.com/2011/03/bible-stories-visit-of-magi.html

Year 4 Advent to ChristmasModule Focus

For Advent: Students will be led to see Advent as a time of preparation for the celebration of Christmas. They will explore the Advent Readings particularly the role of the prophet John the Baptist in proclaiming the coming of Jesus. For Christmas:


Students are invited to share the Christmas message of love, joy and peace as they gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus God's son. It is a time that challenges us to renew our commitment to being a bearer of Christ's love to others. Students will explore the custom of exchanging Christmas gifts which is grounded in Matthew's account of the wise men's gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh given to the Christ child.


Outcomes

J S2.2: Names and describes the modes of Christ’s presence in the world todayPS S2.4b: Plans and participates in communal celebrationS S2.5: Explains the messages of specific Scripture passages and their relationship to prayer, worship and the Christian life

Year 4 Advent to Christmas Stage 2 Page | 2


Learn About Learn To

J S2.2: the presence of Jesus in community the characteristics of Christianity that Jesus taught the call to discipleship Jesus’ actions as examples of how disciples live

PS S2.4b: the purpose of prayer Advent and Christmas celebrations the structure of the Eucharistic liturgy prayer as a means of strengthening relationship with God

S S2.5: Christian traditions of Scripture how Jesus speaks to all through Sacred Scripture ways to respond to Jesus’ teaching the importance of spreading the Word

J S2.2: talk about experiencing Jesus through relationships express their understanding of discipleship pose questions and talk about the implications of the

actions of Jesus for the world today

PS S2.4b: describe, explain and participate in important

celebrations of the Church recite formal prayers associated with Eucharistic and

non-Eucharistic liturgy appreciate prayer as a means of communication with

God engage in spontaneous prayer opportunities

S S2.5: develop skills to listen to Scripture discuss the message of Scripture compare and contrast selected passages of Scripture

using a variety of texts relate stories from the New Testament to their lives

DISCIPLESHIP CHALLENGE

Students are challenged to recognise Jesus in others and treat them accordingly Students are challenged to participate in liturgical celebrations Students are challenged to pray the Scriptures


Catholic Discipleship

Learning about the Gospel is not just a matter of learning about things that happened in the past. Disciples of Jesus are called to put the Gospel into action today. Children who are learning to be disciples of Jesus may identify people who may be described as “prophets of today” through their words and actions. They will be invited to think about how they can act prophetically in their own lives.

Students will be guided to develop an understanding of how to fulfil their responsibilities as a Christian both through word and action. The liturgical seasons of Advent and Christmas invite Christians to think about ways that they can bring Christ’s presence to the world.

Children enjoy receiving presents and should be aware that there are many people who may not be receiving gifts at Christmas, and who may be living in sadness and poverty. They should be invited to reflect on their roles as disciples of Jesus by reaching out to marginalised people and making a difference in their lives in the Advent and Christmas seasons and always.

Prayer Focus

The prayer focus for this module is Lectio Divina in Community. The Vatican II Council re-captured the emphasis on scriptures which had been missing in the Catholic tradition for many years. The Vatican Council reminded us that we are nourished for our journey by both the Word and Eucharist. Lectio Divina is a meditative prayerful reading of the scriptures so that our hearts will be filled with their message and we will come to live them out in our daily lives. Lectio Divina may happen alone or with others, leading to “prayer, transformation of life, and through that transformed life, the sharing with others of the mystery of God entrusted to us” (Walker, p.3).

Lectio Divina is a prayer practice that involves the whole person. “Through our senses we read, we meditate using our reason and imagination, and we pray and transform our life with our will. It is not just an interior practice, but one that engages with the issues of our Christian life and prompts us to work with them…The practice of Lectio is not a discrete or isolated event…it takes place within the living of Christian discipleship” (Walker, p.3)

Lectio Divina is always about a theological understanding of the scriptures. We must read the scriptures with a spiritual sense, looking for the messages that transcend the historical sense and have the ability to transform our lives. The main elements of Lectio whether done alone or in community are:

Reading:

Focus attention on the whole text Come to know the text well Look at the characters, their actions and words. Note the context, related texts and quotes that strike you.***The reading is just the beginning of the process, leading to meditation and prayer.

Meditation:

“Meditation brings to bear our reason on the text. We look at the text in terms of ourselves. It is here that we come to understand, appreciate and appropriate the divine mysteries that we read about in the Sacred Scriptures…We not only learn about God but also about ourselves. Here we can learn about the God who loves us and calls us to love in return. Here we can look at our own life in terms of the expectations of our divine lover, and see what we need to do to transform our life.”

What does the text tell me: About the God who speaks to me? About how I should respond to that God? About my faith life? About what I need to do to transform my faith life?

Prayer:


Prayer arises out of our reflection on the text and is particularly focused on the transformation of our lives. It is the climax of the process that began with the reading.

Contemplation:

The understanding of contemplation in Lectio is a gift from God that will break into our prayer.

Action:

Our Lectio needs to carry over into our lives and be a source of transformation. Sometimes a word or phrase from the reading can be remembered or repeated throughout the day.

Adapted from Walker, D. Lectio Divina: Sundays of Advent, 2008 Diocese of Broken bay, produced in co-operation with the Bible Society of NSW

Core Scriptures in context

Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3: 2b-6, 15-16; Matthew 3:1-5, 11; John 1:19-28 John the BaptistLuke 2:120 The birth of Jesus Matthew 2: 112 Visit of magi

Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3: 2b-6, 15-16; Matthew 3:1-5, 11; John 1:19-28 John the Baptist

The life, preaching and death of the John the Baptist and the relationship of his mission to Jesus is explored in the readings of Advent and this theme is used to explore preparation, challenge and commitment.

John announced the coming of Christ and prepared the way for His coming. According to Matthew’s Gospel John the Baptist preached in the desert urging people to prepare for this coming. John baptised many of those who came to him eager to learn more about the Promised One.

During the period of John’s imprisonment he sent his followers to ask Jesus if he was indeed the Promised One. Jesus told them that John himself was a great prophet, the one of whom scripture says:“Look I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare your way before you.”

We remember John the Baptist as a ‘shining lamp’ who witnessed towards the closeness of the Kingdom, and urged commitment to spirit of God’s Word. His person commitment led him into the dangerous territory of political comment.

Luke 2:120The birth of Jesus; The shepherds and the angels

Jesus’ birth took place in a stable: the event as it has been handed down is told as one of warmth and simplicity. The birth itself reads as if a routine event- a peasant couple on an arduous journey retires for the night in the only available accommodation. The woman is heavily pregnant and her labour begins, a son is born to the couple. What is less ordinary about the event is the curiosity and visitors attracted to witness the event. The Angels announce Jesus’ birth, the Good News, preaching that the Promised One has been born; This very day in David’s town your Saviour was born-Christ the Lord!And this is what will prove it to you: you will find

a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.

In response to the angel’s announcement the Shepherds desire to see that ‘which the Lord has made known to us’ and set out to find the baby. Luke’s gospel states that once the Shepherds had seen Jesus, ‘they made known the word…and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds had told them’. This language suggests that the shepherds are models for what every Christian should do in the world today-spread the Word.

The presence of the angels and shepherds as witnesses to Jesus’ birth theologically connect Jesus’ humanity (as represented by the shepherds) and divinity (as represented by the angels).


Matthew 2:112

Matthew tells of the star that guides the Wise Men (Magi) to Jesus just as the angels showed the shepherds the way to Jesus. The Wise Men are ‘explorers’ looking for God. Their minds and hearts are open to God being revealed to them. The Wise Men offer gold for a king, incense for a God and myrrh for a human being. The Wise Men are wealthy and Jesus came for the wealthy as well as the poor. The visit of the Magi is celebrated on the feast of the Epiphany on 6 January. ‘Epiphany’ means God being revealed.

Catechism of the Catholic Church for teacher reference

n.437 The birth of Jesus

Compendium #82 Why is Jesus called Christ?

nn.1163-1178 Liturgical seasons

Compendium #241 What is the centre of the Liturgical Season

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Background for Teachers

Advent is the beginning of the Church's liturgical year. Each year the Church celebrates the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. During Advent we prepare to celebrate the incarnation, the coming of God into our world in all its messiness. We celebrate this coming through the story of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem and we also direct our minds to his coming again in glory at the end of time.Advent is a period of joyful and spiritual expectation of the mystery of Christ's birth and his coming again in glory.

The Challenge of the Advent and Christmas Readings

The Church challenges us through the readings of the Advent season to be committed in our love of God and neighbour. As Christians, we have a particular way of life to follow in our communities, in worship and prayer and also in the way we treat others each day. We are called to respond to the joy and suffering of others, and especially to support people who are experiencing pain, hurt and disadvantage.

The gospels of Matthew and Luke relate the birth of Jesus to a specific period in history, namely during the Roman occupation of Palestine and the reign of King Herod. They also tell us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but they do not determine the exact month or day.

Easter and Sunday were the original Christian feast days. It is not until the Fourth Century that we find clear evidence of a special feast celebrating the birth of Jesus.

The significance of John the Baptist as a prophet who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus

John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah, a priest in the Temple in Jerusalem, and his wife Elizabeth. They were childless and advanced in years when John was born. The Gospel of Luke tells us that during Zechariah's priestly ministry in the temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him of John's conception and birth. John was "filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb" and was especially chosen to announce the Messiah to God's people. (Lk 1:525)


http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

On the occasion of John's circumcision, Zechariah proclaimed the praise of God in the canticle, or hymn, we know as the Benedictus (Lk 1:5759). The canticle is a mosaic of Old Testament phrases which show of God's plan of salvation and John's place in it. Leading an austere life in the desert, John urged his listeners to repent of their sinfulness. The conversion of heart which John called for was symbolised by a ritual washing or baptism.

Many of the Advent Scriptures come from times before Jesus’ birth, either from the Old Testament or the stories just prior to the birth of Jesus. However, the advent of Jesus’ mission as an adult is connected to his birth in the liturgies of Advent through the story of John the Baptist. The words of the Scriptures about John the Baptist provide some of the key sayings of Lent and Advent:

“Turn back to God!” “Get the road ready for the Lord! Make a straight path for him!” “Fill every valley up and level every mountain hill. Straighten the crooked paths and smooth out the rough

roads. Then everyone will see the saving power of God.” “A voice in the wilderness calls us to prepare.”

John the Baptist paid the price for his message. He was imprisoned and from prison, John sent his followers to report on the preaching of Jesus (Lk 7:1823) and Jesus replied by pointing to the blessings associated with the fulfilment of Old Testament messianic prophecies. Jesus identified John as his precursor, "Much more than a prophet....of all the children born of women, there is no greater than John." (Lk 2:28) John paid the price for his fearless adherence to the truth. The malice of Herodias and Herod's foolish promise led to John's execution to satisfy Herodias.

John models for us a great love of Jesus and incredible courage to spread the Good News (for which he paid the ultimate price).

Commitment to Advent: challenges that prepare for the celebration of Christmas

During Advent we remember and engage in a special way with the presence of God with us in our world today. Christians realise that the Christ event in history signals that the reign of God is at hand and that the Kingdom of God is among us. Evidence of this reality will be found where love, joy, peace and justice flourish. In the light of this, Christians work to promote truly human values in our world today.

The work of the St Vincent De Paul Society is a way to live out our call to discipleship. It is expected that each school supports the Vinnies’ Christmas Appeal. Working in conjunction with your local Vinnies Conference builds relationships and helps children to have empathy for the people Vinnies supports.

Essence of Friendship

The pagan festival of the Invincible Sun was held in Rome on 25 December, the winter solstice of the Northern Hemisphere. This was the day from which the Sun began to grow stronger and brighter. There is good reason to believe that the Christians' desire to replace the pagan festival was an important influence in choosing 25 December to celebrate the birth of Jesus, the true Sun of Justice. This title occurred in the writings of the prophet Malachi who records God's promise: ' For you who fear my name, the Sun of Justice will rise with healing in his rays.'(3:20) Jesus too had declared: 'I am the light of the world' (John 8:12). The birth of Jesus was the dawn of his redeeming life which conquered the darkness of sin.

In Egypt and Arabia the solstice was observed on 6 January and this fact seems to have influenced the celebration of the Epiphany or the birth of Jesus on that date. Towards the end of the 4th century the feast of the Epiphany was being celebrated in Rome, but there the emphasis was placed on the adoration of the Magi.

Christmas does not simply mark the anniversary of the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. As we celebrate Christ's birth, we are renewed in faith through the saving power of the mystery of the Incarnation.


The Epiphany reminds us that Jesus is the Saviour of the whole human race. The Magi are our forerunners in calling and in faith because they came from outside the Chosen People to pay homage to the Saviour of both Jew and Gentile.

Being a true friend of Jesus

People from different countries celebrate Christmas in different ways. As Australia has a diverse multicultural population many of the traditions from other countries are celebrated as families gather together. Christmas cards, gifts and the Christmas tree would be common to most families as they prepare to celebrate Christmas.

The custom of exchanging Christmas gifts is grounded in Matthew's account of the wise men's gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh given to the Christ child.

More than 100 years ago, a wallpaper designer, Louis Prang of Boston, U.S.A., put on sale the first Christmas cards, however the practice of sending engraved Christmas cards had been going on in England since 1842. Today billions of Christmas cards bulge the post carrier's bag each December. Nowadays Christmas cards have become commercialised and are often a way of keeping in touch with friends and relatives rather than a celebration of the birthday of Jesus.

Decorating a Christmas tree, seems to date from the 16th century in Germany. There, evergreen branches were weighed down with apples, sugar candy and painted nuts. The inspiration for the Christmas tree came from the medieval mystery plays performed in churches during the middle ages. A yearly favourite was an Advent performance called the Paradise play which treated humankind's creation, expulsion from Eden, and the promise of a Saviour. The only prop on stage for the performance was a fir tree, with apples suspended from its branches. Eventually the tree found its way into Christian homes to point out to their children that the 'paradise tree' was no longer a symbol of sin but also a symbol of salvation. Sixteenth century Germans combined it with another ancient symbol, the 'Christmas Light'. They also began to hang candles and cookies alongside the apples of sin to symbolise the grace of salvation. Thus the tree of sin and the light of Christ grew into the tree of light, with its salvation symbols.

The nativity scene was popularised as a Christmas custom by St Francis of Assisi in 1224. St Francis erected a manger and acted out the first Christmas with a cast of characters that included live animals and real people.

Personal action which fosters the Christmas Spirit of Peace and Goodwill

Christmas is a time when the attention of students can be drawn to those who are weak in Australian society; the sick, the unemployed, refugees, immigrants, the homeless and the frail amongst the elderly.

Students can contribute to various appeals during the Advent and the Christmas season but it is important they engage with the issues, not just give money. Worldwide issues of social justice are important but it is important to connection our work towards justice to our everyday lives as Christians. Catholic education is concerned with the development of the quality of justice in each student as an image of God. Development will occur best when students practice this quality in their everyday lives at home, at school and in the community.

Student ContextPlease cater for the student context of your class in your planning of this module.

Developing the PartnershipPlease make connections between the learning in this module and parents and the wider community.


Curriculum LinksIn your planning, please make links with other Key Learning Areas.

Planning a Quality Learning Sequence for your class

Quality religious education will be achieved only by deep thinking about where you are going and how you plan the learning journey to get there. Begin with the end in mind and then consider how you will build field to meet your goals. Remember that you cannot expect children to develop deep knowledge and understanding, unless you as teacher have deep knowledge and understanding yourself. According to the Quality Teaching Framework, quality teaching will occur when you ask yourself four questions:

What do you want the students to learn? Why does the learning matter? What are you going to get the students to do (or produce)? How well do you expect them to do it?The suggested learning sequence has been planned through such a process. However, it cannot be written with the understanding of the student context of each class and relationship to other learning that is happening in the class. It is therefore necessary for you as teacher to plan your own unit, using this module as a support. Doing so is part of your role as an “activist professional” (a teacher who actively works to improve their professionalism).

Suggested Teaching, Learning and Assessment Experiences

These are suggested teaching and learning experiences. The essential part of teaching this module is that you, as teacher have deep knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Reading in depth the “Background for the Teacher” and “Scripture in Context” will give you the basic understanding you need.

It is essential to use the whole module to plan your own unit. You might like to change the questions to suit your class. Your unit should be written in acknowledgement of the student context of your class. The suggested learning experiences are meant to be adapted for this purpose. You should design learning experiences for the purpose of formative and summative assessment. When designing quality learning experiences and assessments, they must address the outcomes, learning intentions and success criteria based on the enduring understandings of the module.

We are joyful messengers of the Good News

Key Concepts

Advent Christ’s presence peace Liturgical seasons Marginalisation


prepare love justice Kingdom of God nativity

John the Baptist joy prophets Jesus Jesus’ humanity

Jesus’ divinity shepherds angels baptism Epiphany

magi Gospel of Luke Gospel of Matthew celebration discipleship

What is important for Students to Know and Do

Advent is the liturgical season in which we prepare for Christmas. Advent is the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year. The liturgical colour of Advent is purple or dark blue. Pink is used on the third week of Advent. In Advent we hear the story of John the Baptist, which connects the coming of Jesus into the world at his birth and

the coming of Jesus’ mission as an adult. The nativity stories are found in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew. The shepherds, angels and wise men were joyful messengers about the birth of Jesus. John the Baptist was a joyful messenger about the coming of Jesus’ mission. The feast when we celebrate the visitation of the wise man is called the Epiphany.

Take an active role in caring to people who are marginalised, especially through the St Vincent De Paul Christmas appeal.

Enduring Understandings

Advent is a time of preparation for celebrating at Christmas that Jesus came into our world. During Advent we reflect on and rejoice in the coming of Jesus. At Christmas we share the message of joy and peace through the goodwill we show to each other. The readings of the Advent and Christmas seasons have special meanings for our lives. During Advent and Christmas, Christians are called to reach out to marginalised people.

Suggested Big Question

How can we be joyful messengers of the Good News during Advent and Christmas?

Suggested Essential Questions

What is a joyful message?

How did John the Baptist bring a joyful message about Jesus to his community?

How is the coming of Jesus a Joyful Message?

How can we be joyful messengers of the Good News about Jesus during Advent and Christmas?


Suggested Teaching, Learning and Assessment Experiences

How can we be Joyful Messengers of the Good News about Jesus during Advent and Christmas? Display big question and discuss the key words. Prepare to celebrate the liturgical season of Advent using ideas

such as those suggested in Appendix 1.

What is a Joyful Message?

Play a communication game e.g. Chinese Whispers; charades. Discuss what happened to the message and how it was communicated.

Discuss messages: How they can be transferred between people e.g. talking and listening, hugs and kisses, smiles,

frowns, letters, emails, cards, gifts. Modern ways we communicate through technology e.g. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, email. How modern ways may affect communication e.g. emails tend to be shorter than letters and can be

misinterpreted, people can write nasty things on Twitter for everyone to see. Children bring in family examples of joyful messages e.g. birthday cards. Make a collection of key words used in

these cards. Use Wordle http://www.wordle.net/ or Tagxedo http://www.tagxedo.com/ Discuss why such words are important.

Introduce Advent as a liturgical time in which we celebrate the joyful message of Jesus Christ. Play Give One, Get one: each child writes 5 reasons why they think the coming of Jesus Christ is a joyful message. With their sheet, children walk around until a stop signal is given by the teacher. Each time they stop they swap a reason with a friend. At the end of the session, ideas from all are collated onto a flip chart or retrieval chart.

How did John the Baptist bring a Joyful message about Jesus to his community? Prepare a KWL chart about John the Baptist. Tell children that the story of John the Baptist is read at Mass during Advent along with stories that came before

Jesus’ birth, like the story of the Annunciation. Read both stories from a quality children’s Bible storybook. Ask children to wonder about why a story about the message that Jesus was about to start his work accompanies a story about the message that Jesus was about to be born. Ask them to find the joyful message in both stories.

Children may explore the story using Godly Play script ( Appendix 2) Tell children that there are slightly different versions of the story of John the Baptist in the four Gospels. In pairs or

small groups, children read the four versions in Appendix 3 being directed to note similarities and differences. Discuss as a class.

When children have a good image of the story hot seat some of the characters from the story. Children are chosen to be the characters sitting in the middle of the group. Children from the group ask them questions. Give the class question scaffolds/ ideas for questioning e.g.

o Why did you…?o How did you feel…?o How did other people react…?o Who was…?o Where did…?o What do you think about…?

Sing Advent song about John the Baptist e.g. “Fill Every Valley Up” Michael Mangan ( in “ Follow the Star” © 1995 Litmus Productions), “ A Voice in the Wilderness” Chris Robinson © 1990 West Gosford, (in As One Voice Vol 1).

Suggested Assessment SS 2.5 Using the scripture grid, complete the following activity comparing the four Gospel versions (Appendices 3 and 4). Create a story map of the Scripture story, showing the setting, characters and event. Choose a line from one of the Gospel readings as a banner for your story map. Write a reflection about why the story of John the Baptist is read at Mass in Advent. Use Apps such as Educreations or Show Me

How is the coming of Jesus a joyful message? Show a copy of the Scripture Sheet comparing Gospel accounts in Appendix 3 on IWB, directing students to look at

the words that open the Gospel of Mark OR ask students to open their bible at the start of Mark’s Gospel. Ask


http://www.tagxedo.com/

http://www.wordle.net/

children to reflect on the words… “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”. Brainstorm why the coming of Jesus Christ was good news. Record on IWB or retrieval chart. If Jesus is good news, then messengers told the good news of his coming in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.

Introduce the nativity story of Luke using Godly Play script (Appendix 3), or “To Know, Worship and love” big book or Children’s bible.

Ask children what’s missing from the nativity story of Luke that they have grown up hearing …the story of the wise men visiting. That’s because this is found only in the Gospel of Matthew. As time has gone on we have tended to join the two stories together in movies, cartoons, Christmas cards, story books etc.)

Discuss which characters in the story are the joyful messengers and why (angels, shepherds, wise men).Discuss why the characters in the story actually tell us something about the good news of Jesus. Discuss what they mean for us in our world today.

o The joyful message brought by angels in Luke’s Gospel shows that Jesus was divine and was God entering our world.

o The first people to visit Jesus in Luke’s Gospel were humble shepherds, indicating that Jesus’ good news would be for ordinary, humble people and also for outcasts as shepherds were often shunned by the people of the towns.

o The visit of the wise men in Matthew’s Gospel shows the good news of Jesus was for everyone no matter where they come from.

Assessment JS 2.2: Make a tryptich artwork showing the three groups of joyful messengers~ angels, shepherds, wise men. Write a reflection about what they indicate for our role as disciples of Jesus in our modern world. A tryptich pattern is pinned on Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/margaretraburn/patterns-templates/

How can we be joyful messenger of the Good News about Jesus during Advent and Christmas?

Visit the church and discuss colours and symbols used in Advent and why. Also look at artwork, symbols in the church e.g. Advent wreath, banners. Perhaps and priest, deacon for parish liturgist could lead the discussion:

o Purple, dark blue ( like the Australian sky before dawn) or rose purple ( like the sky as the sun rises) for three weeks of Advent… the liturgical colour of waiting, preparation, reflection , sorrow for sins, forgiveness etc. The season is not quite as penitential as Lent, and focuses on joyful waiting.

o Rose Pink is used on the third week of Advent (and Lent), reminding us that we are waiting in joyful hope)

http://www.togetheratonealtar.catholic.edu.au/craft/dsp-content.cfm?loadref=35

Children research and then create an Advent symbol, artwork e.g. a wreath, banner, movie that could be used an Advent liturgy. When children present their work, they discuss the Advent meanings that directed their work. Some information available at http://www.cptryon.org./prayer/adx/adprep.html

Discuss how part of our role always as disciples of Jesus, but in a special way during the Advent and Christmas seasons is to bring good news to those in need. Plan a social justice action for Advent e.g. ways of supporting St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal; ~ visiting a nursing home, writing cards to people in a nursing home or who attend a community group (see suggested assessment below) etc. It is always ideal to plan activities during which children can actually touch the lives of marginalised people, not just bring in money or goods that parents have given them.

Research Christmas symbols and traditions and especially how these elements of the scriptural Christmas story have become important in our Christmas traditions:*The practice of gift giving began with the wise men

*Angels have become important Christmas decorations

*The key characters of Luke’s and Matthew’s stories are depicted on Christmas cards

Children bring in a selection of Christmas cards, both religious and secular to compare. Discuss whether Christ has been taken out of Christmas for many people. Discuss how the commercial side of the Christmas season has affected the way many people celebrate Christmas.

Suggested Assessment JS 2.2, S S 2.5: Design a Christmas card to be sent to someone who is lonely ( maybe in a nursing home), using the following criteria

o Contains a scripture quote from Matthew’s or Luke’s Gospel that captures an important element of the story for us today.

o Design a picture that unites the Gospel stories with our contemporary world.


http://www.cptryon.org./prayer/adx/adprep.html


http://www.pinterest.com/margaretraburn/patterns-templates/

o Brings the joyful message of Jesus to the recipient. Suggested Group Assessment PS S2.4b: Plan an Advent liturgy. Choose music, scripture, write prayers etc. Teacher

collects observational data about students’ planning and participation.


Appendix 1

Word bank – Create a word bank for reference throughout the module. Brainstorm words that children know…add words to the word bank as the unit progresses.

Wonder Questions- Brainstorm wonder questions about Advent and Christmas. Display these in the classroom to be used during the unit. These questions may be used as essential questions or may contribute to the formation of essential question which inform planning.

KWL Chart- Begin a chart about what children know and would like to know about Advent and Christmas. As the unit progresses, add what children have learnt.

Focal Area- Create a display area to become a focus for the unit, displaying the big question clearly. This area may include an Advent focussed sacred space and an Advent calendar. An online calendar can be accessed at http://www.smmp.com/Advent/Advent.htm. This is available from the First Sunday of Advent.

Advent Wreath- This could be Australianised by using Australian native leaves such as gum leaves. Children may be invited to guess the meanings of the symbols of the wreath, and then investigate these:

Circular green leaves represent eternity~ no beginning and no end Purple candles represent hope The pink candle represents joy

Advent Gift- Wrap a present in layers of paper (one for each Advent school day). The children remove a layer each day. Each layer contains a preparation gift such as an Advent prayer or an Advent challenge e.g. “Say ‘hello’ to someone who is not your special friend today”, “Say a special prayer for someone in need today”, “Give something to the Christmas Appeal today”.

Advent Promises- Make boxes containing Advent promises. These could be hung on an Advent tree. This tree could be turned into a Christmas tree, by decorating it with tinsel etc. in the final week of school.

Advent Giving Space- Set up a tree or special space to begin collecting items for Christmas appeals e.g. For St Vincent de Paul Society.

Advent Garden- Set up an Advent garden where prayers or symbols of Advent may be placed. This may be used as a focal point for prayer.

Appendix 2John the Baptist – Prepare the Way


Based on: Isaiah 40:3-5; Luke 3:2-6, 10-16; John 1:6-8, 15, 19-23 Used with permission Sydney RE Online

YOU WILL NEED• Beige felt underlay

• Mountain felt images (template)

• Brown felt strip to represent road

• Blue felt strip to represent river

• Labelled prophet cards Elijah, Joel, Amos, Hosea, Jeremiah, Micah, Ezekiel (see cards below to laminate)

• Small scroll (with Is 40:3-5 written in it)

• Isaiah figure

• John the Baptist figure

• Crowd figure

• Tax collector figure

• Soldier figure

• Priest and Levite

Prepare story telling space. Unroll beige underlay. Place mountains and straight road onto the underlay.

Throughout the long history of the Bible right up to today there have been prophets: people who listen to God and speak for God. In the Bible we can read the words of many of the prophets.

Place the Elijah card near to the mountains.Prophets have always reminded the People of God to be faithful to their covenant with God. People didn’t always like their messages. Sometimes the prophets brought messages of warning,

Place other prophet cards near to the mountains (Joel, Amos)sometimes they called the people to repent of their sins and change their ways,

Place more prophet cards (Hosea, Jeremiah)other times they brought messages of great hope and comfort.

Place more prophet cards near to mountains (Micah, Ezekiel)Prophets are sent by God. Point to each of the prophetsSome of the prophets helped prepare the way for God’s son, Jesus who came as the light for the whole world.

Place figure of Isaiah near to the roadLong ago, a prophet named Isaiah brought this message of hope to the People of God. He said:

Unroll scroll and readA voice cries out:‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,make straight in the desert a highway for our GodEvery valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low;the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.’ (Isaiah 40:3-5)

Place scroll next to IsaiahIsaiah was telling the people to get ready because someone was coming, someone chosen by God.

Place figure of John near road.Many years later a prophet named John was born. John was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. He was a man sent from God and he came to be a witness to the light so that all would come to believe.


Place river onto the underlay and place figure of John next to it.John went into the area around the River Jordan, calling people to repent of their sins and to be baptised.

Place crowd figure near to JohnThe crowds asked him, ‘What should we do? John replied, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’

Add tax collector figure to sceneTax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ John said to them, ‘Collect no more than is owed to you.’

Add soldier figure to sceneSoldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do? He said to them, ‘Do not threaten people for money, and be satisfied with your wages.’

The people began to wonder whether John might be the promised Messiah.

John said to them, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’

Place figures of a priest and LeviteSome priests and Levites from Jerusalem came to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ ‘Are you Elijah or one of the prophets?’

Point to prophet cardsJohn answered, ‘No, I am not.’ They asked, ‘Are you the Messiah’? ‘No’, he replied.

Place figures of priest and Levite a little distance from JohnThen they said to him, ‘Who are you?

Move John near to roadSo John replied, ‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: make straight the way of the Lord.’Trace hand along the length of the road.

Pause for a while before wondering with the students.- I wonder how John knew he was sent by God.- I wonder what it is like to be spoken to by God.- I wonder what it would be like to be called to bring a message from God to others.- I wonder if there are still prophets today. I wonder what their message is.- I wonder how you would prepare the way for the Lord.


Appendix 3

Mark 1:1-8The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of GodAs it is written in the prophet Isaiah,“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of youwho will prepare your way;the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord,make his paths straight,’”

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 3:2,4-6, 15-16In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee…the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low,and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Mark 3:1-6, 11In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is the one of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke when he said,“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’” Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins… “I baptize you with water for repentance, but one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John 1:19-28This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said,“I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’”as the prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

Appendix 4


The Story of John the Baptist Gospel Comparison

Matthew Mark Luke John

Mentions the Good News of Jesus Christ

Is in the first chapter of the Gospel

Mentions Isaiah’s prophecy about sending a messenger ahead to prepare the way for Jesus

Includes the words from Isaiah,“ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low,and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth.”

Says that John baptised people for forgiveness of their sins.

Describes what John wore.

Says where John was living

Says that Jesus would baptise people in the Holy Spirit.

Mentions the people who ruled the land at the time.

Mention that Zechariah was John’s father.

Tells how John said that he would be unworthy to tie the sandal of the one who was to come (Jesus).

Says that John told the people that he was not the Messiah.

Appendix 5

THE BIRTH OF JESUS(based on Luke 2:1-20)

Used with permission Sydney RE Online

YOU WILL NEED:


Bible

beige felt underlay

brown felt road

Nativity set: Joseph, Mary, donkey, baby Jesus, manger, stable, 2 shepherds, 3 sheep, 3 angels

Children are seated in a semi-circle ready to listen to the story. When the children are ready carry the materials carefully from the story shelf to the story area, place them beside you and say

Place class Bible, open at Luke, in front of you with your hand on it.This story comes from the Gospel according to Luke, which is in the New Testament section of the Bible. Place Bible beside you.

Place the underlay in the middle of the space. Place the road on top of the underlay.Place Mary, Joseph and donkey on the road at the far end away from you.In those days the Emperor Augustus decreed that all people should be registered in the town of their birth. Since Joseph was born in Bethlehem he had to go there.

Slowly move Mary, Joseph and donkey halfway down the road.So Joseph travelled with Mary from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem to be registered.

Place your hand at the opposite end of the road to Mary and Joseph.Bethlehem was a long way from their home in Nazareth and their child was expected to be born soon.

Continue to slowly move Mary, Joseph and donkey down the road to Bethlehem.When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, the town was very crowded.

Place stable to the side of the road. Move Mary, Joseph and donkey from the road to the stable.Hold Jesus in your hand as you say While they were there the time came for Mary to have her child. She gave birth to her firstborn son.

Place Jesus in the manger between Mary and Joseph.Mary wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Place shepherds and sheep on the underlay away from the road and the stable. Now nearby there were some shepherds living in the fields watching over their sheep by night.

Place an angel near shepherds.An angel of the Lord stood before them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The shepherds were terrified!

Move the angel a little closer to the shepherds.The angel said, “Do not be afraid… I am bringing you news of great joy for all people. To you, this day, in Bethlehem, is born the Messiah, the Lord!This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”

Place more angels facing shepherds.Suddenly a multitude of angels appeared, praising God saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace.”

Move angels to your side. Move shepherds to the stable.


After this the angels left and the shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem. They found Mary and Joseph, and the child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in the manger just as the angels had promised.

Turn Mary and Joseph to face the shepherds. The shepherds explained what the angels had told them about this child. Everyone was amazed.

Turn Mary to face the child Jesus. Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart.

Move the shepherds back to their fields. The shepherds returned to their fields praising God for all they had heard and seen.

Pause for a while before wondering with the students.

I wonder what the place was like where Mary had her baby.

I wonder what the words, “the glory of the Lord shone around them” mean/ or what that might look like.

I wonder how the shepherds found Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in Bethlehem.

I wonder what it means that Mary “treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart”.

I wonder what you ponder in your heart.


Appendix 6Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Liturgy OutlineLiturgy Definition: “work of the people” (in this case - the children)

A liturgy to celebrate module learning usually has four parts of which these can contain all or some one of the suggestions.

Before you begin some other considerations!! Where will the liturgy be celebrated? Does not have to be celebrated in the church or the classroom. Outdoors is a possibility - weather permitting. Consider the placement of chairs and sacred space. Who to invite? (parents, staff, priest etc)

WE GATHER: Setting the scene Sacred Space (cloth, candle, Bible, icons etc) to be created in this part. Procession Hymn or songs of welcome Welcome and introduction to celebration Opening prayer

WE LISTEN: Stories From the Bible Outline of what has been learnt Multimedia presentations Dramatisation/ dialogue of story Hymns Liturgical Movement of story Stories of their life and families Related narratives (eg Dreamtime story)

WE RESPOND:Responding to the stories Hymn or songs Liturgical movement Prayers of Intercession Prayer Multimedia presentations Sharing work from module (eg artwork)

WE GO FORTH:Sending Forth Recessional hymn or songs Liturgical movement Prayer Thank you statement

Liturgy can be followed by offer of hospitality


Resources

Note: The resources indicated below are recommended but not essential to assist with the teaching of this module. Please locate those available in your school and add to those below.

TeacherCarlson, M. (1997). Gold and Honey Bible. Oregon: Multnomah Publishers.

O’Brien, K. & White, D. (2001). The Thinking Platform. Marayong: K. D. Publications.

Pennock, M (1992) Discovering the Promise of the Old Testament Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame.

Pohl, M. (2000). Learning To Think, Thinking To Learn. Australia: Harker Brownlow Education.

Ryan, M. (2003) Expressions. A Religion Series for Catholic Primary Schools. Tuggeran: Social Science Press.

White, D. et al. (2003). Into The Deep. Marayong: K. D. Publications

White, D et al (2206) Deep Thinking: An essential for Learning Marayong: K. D. Publications

Wintour, R. (2000). Just Imagine. Mountjoy Enterprises. Brisbane.

Wintour, R. (2002). Just Imagine 2. Mountjoy Enterprises. Brisbane.

Woods, L (1996) The Christian Story. ACU Press. North Sydney

Audio Visual

Literature

Music

““Follow the Star” © 1995 Michael Mangan Litmus Productions“A Voice in the Wilderness” Chris Robinson © 1990 West Gosford, in As One Voice Vol 1

Search song/hymn categories for Advent and Christmas hymns at:

John Burland http://www.johnburland.com/ Andrew Chinn http://www.butterflymusic.com.au/needasong.html#8 Michael Mangan http://www.litmusproductions.com/index.php/song-search.html

InternetMission and Religious Education (Lighthouse) http://missionandreligiouseducation.dbbcso.org/

http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/Parents/Religion/RE/Pages/Primary.aspx

http://www.smmp.com/Advent/Advent.htm (available only during Advent).

Pinterest, tryptich patternhttp://www.pinterest.com/margaretraburn/patterns-templates/


http://www.pinterest.com/margaretraburn/patterns-templates/

http://www.smmp.com/Advent/Advent.htm

http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au/Parents/Religion/RE/Pages/Primary.aspx

http://missionandreligiouseducation.dbbcso.org/

http://www.litmusproductions.com/index.php/song-search.html

http://www.butterflymusic.com.au/needasong.html#8

http://www.johnburland.com/

Advent colourshttp://www.togetheratonealtar.catholic.edu.au/craft/dsp-content.cfm?loadref=35

Advent symbols, colours etc.http://www.cptryon.org./prayer/adx/adprep.html

Advent Calendar (available only in Advent season)http://www.smmp.com/Advent/Advent.htm.

Storytelling

Make short art-inspired stories http://storybird.com/

Capzles social storytelling http://www.capzles.com/

General

http://www.caritas.org.au/?gclid=CJOir6zrpb8CFcEJvAodjUwAJg

http://www.catholicmission.org.au/

http://www.vinnies.org.au/?gclid=CKXmk9Prpb8CFU8JvAodlo4ADA

http://wallwisher.com/



http://www.surveymonkey.com/home/

Interactive Bible Map http://wild.biblesociety.org.au//wild/index.php

Useful Apps

Superbook Bible App

The Holy Bible Bible for kids The Pope App

Educreations PuppetPals Show Me Comic Maker


http://wild.biblesociety.org.au//wild/index.php

http://www.surveymonkey.com/home/



http://wallwisher.com/

http://www.vinnies.org.au/?gclid=CKXmk9Prpb8CFU8JvAodlo4ADA

http://www.catholicmission.org.au/

http://www.caritas.org.au/?gclid=CJOir6zrpb8CFcEJvAodjUwAJg

http://www.capzles.com/

http://storybird.com/

http://www.cptryon.org./prayer/adx/adprep.html


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