DEC 22, 2024
The Star (2017) features the Visitation of Mary and Elizabeth
✨ The scene of the visitation between Mary and Elizabeth is indeed included in the movie "The Star." It's one of the key moments that helps set up the story and illustrates the deep spiritual bond between the two women and their unborn children.
"The Star" is a delightful animated film from 2017 that presents the story of the first Christmas from the perspective of the animals involved, giving it a unique and engaging twist. The main character is Bo, a small yet determined donkey, who embarks on a journey with his animal friends to become an unlikely hero in the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.
What makes "The Star" special is its imaginative and fun approach to the well-known story, with lovable characters, catchy songs, and a heartwarming message about the importance of faith, friendship, and courage. It's an excellent choice for children to learn about the birth of Jesus while being entertained and inspired.
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The Star (2017) soundbites from Deliah who is the voice for Elizabeth.
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4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Mary Visits Elizabeth
SOURCE: Good News Productions
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Luke 1: 39-45 for Children
SOURCE: Bishop Mark O’Connell
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
The Religion Teacher
Mary Visits Elizabeth
Animated Videos
Luke 1:39-45
- Mary and Elizabeth were friends, and both were going to have babies.
- Mary’s baby was special; he was God’s Son, named Jesus.
- When Mary visited Elizabeth, they were super happy!
- The baby inside Elizabeth’s n tummy was happy and moved around.
- Elizabeth told Mary she was special because she was Jesus’ mom.
- Mary felt happy and sang a song to say thank you to God.
Micah 5:1-4a
- Long, long ago, a man named Micah had a dream about Jesus’ birth.
- He said Jesus would be born in a small town called Bethlehem.
- Jesus would be a special leader, just like a king.
- Jesus would take care of people, like a shepherd takes care of his sheep.
- When Jesus was born, he would bring peace, love, and happiness to everyone.
Hebrews 10:5-10
- God wanted people to love and obey Him, so He sent His Son, Jesus.
- Jesus came to Earth to show us how to love and be close to God.
- Jesus said, “I want to do what God wants, not just what I want.”
- When we love and obey God, it makes God happy.
- Jesus did something very special: He let himself be a sacrifice to show God’s love for us.
- Because of Jesus, we can become God’s friends and be happy with Him.
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
A Story of Joy,
Friendship and Faith
Hi friends! I want to tell you about this really cool story I learned from the Bible. It’s about two amazing ladies, Mary and Elizabeth, in the book of Luke, chapter 1, verses 39 to 45.
One day, the angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her that she was going to have a very special baby named Jesus. The baby would be the Son of God! Then the angel told her that her cousin Elizabeth was also going to have a baby even though she was old. Can you believe that?
Journey to Elizabeth’s Home
So, Mary went to visit Elizabeth, who lived in a town called Judah. When Mary greeted her, something magical happened. Elizabeth’s baby jumped inside her tummy, like it was dancing! That’s because the baby was so happy to be close to Mary’s baby, Jesus.
Praise for Mary
Elizabeth was so surprised and filled with joy that she said to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” This means that she thought Mary was super special because she was going to be Jesus’ mom.
Then, Elizabeth said something really interesting. She said, “Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” She felt very honored that Mary, who was carrying the Son of God, would visit her. It’s like getting a surprise visit from someone important, like the queen or a superhero!
After hearing Elizabeth’s words, Mary was overjoyed and grateful. She was very happy to be the mother of Jesus, even though it was a big responsibility. Mary even sang a beautiful song called the Magnificat to thank God for choosing her.
Lessons from Mary
You know what’s really great about this story? It teaches us a lot about the kind of person Mary was. She had to be super brave to say yes to God’s plan for her life, and that makes her a strong role model for all of us.
Plus, Mary was so kind! When she found out that her cousin Elizabeth was going to have a baby too, she went to visit her right away. That shows us how much she cared about her family and friends.
Most importantly, Mary trusted in God. She knew that becoming Jesus’ mom was a big responsibility, but she believed that God would help her. That’s a great reminder for us to have faith and believe in God’s plans for our lives too.
The Power of Friendship
Another thing I love about this story is the friendship between Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth was so happy for Mary, and she celebrated with her! That’s what true friends do, right? They get excited when good things happen to each other. Just like them, we should be happy for our friends and family when they have good news.
So, let’s try to be like Mary and Elizabeth: brave, kind, trusting in God, and always there for our friends and family!
These images above are the property of Good News Productions International and College Press Publishing who have granted THE WORD THIS WEEK permission to use them for educational and ministry use only. These images are covered using a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
SOURCE: Free Bible Images
Prayer
Table
Symbols
Luke 1:39-45
Blessed Mother (verse 42): A small statue or image of the Virgin Mary, serving as a role model of humility and faith, inviting children to imitate her virtues and devotion to God’s will.
Fruit of the womb (verse 42): A small figurine or image of a baby, representing the gift of new life and the importance of praying for families, celebrating the joy of children and parenthood.
Joy (verse 44): A small colorful flower or a smiling face sticker, encouraging children to rejoice in God’s presence and blessings, fostering an attitude of gratitude and optimism.
Service (verse 44): A miniature set of helping hands or a small figurine of a person carrying a basket, symbolizing the call to help and support others, reminding children of the importance of loving actions and selflessness.
Micah 5:1-4a
Bethlehem (verse 2): A small wooden stable or a miniature nativity scene, representing humility and the importance of God’s plan in the midst of ordinary circumstances.
Ruler (verse 2): A simple wooden or plastic crown, symbolizing the messianic hope and God’s faithfulness to His promises, emphasizing the role of leadership and guidance.
Peace (verse 4): A dove figurine or an olive branch, reminding children to pray for harmony in their families, communities, and the world, highlighting the importance of unity and love.
Shepherd (verse 4): A small shepherd’s staff or a figurine of a shepherd, encouraging children to rely on God’s care and guidance, symbolizing trust and protection.
Hebrews 10:5-10
Sacrifice (verse 5): A small wooden cross, signifying the ultimate expression of love and obedience, inspiring children to offer their actions and intentions to God.
Body (verse 5): A simple cut-out paper doll or a small figurine, encouraging children to respect and take care of their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, highlighting the importance of physical and spiritual well-being.
Will (verse 7): A miniature scroll or a small open book, representing the submission to God’s divine plan, teaching children to seek and follow His will in their lives.
Sanctified (verse 10): A dove charm or a holy water font, symbolizing the transformative power of God’s grace and the call to live a holy life, inspiring children to seek growth in faith and virtue.
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Mary Jo Cole
SOURCE: Mary Jo Cole’s YouTube Page
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Father Edward
SOURCE: Holy Family FdL Youtube Page
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Father Glenn
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Uganda CTV
SOURCE: Uganda Catholic Television
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Dominican Sisters
SOURCE: Redemptorist Publications
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Big Al & Father Joe
SOURCE: Most Sacred Heart Parish, Eureka, MO
Children’s Message (12-22-24) – Why is Fr. Joe’s manger empty?
Symbolism of the Empty Manger
Why does Fr. Joe keep his manger empty? Fr. Joe keeps the manger empty to remind himself to keep his eyes and heart open for how Jesus will come in the present moment, whether through song, nature, kindness, or someone in need.
Spiritual Openness
What does Fr. Joe pray for regarding everyone’s spiritual awareness? Fr. Joe prays that everyone’s eyes and hearts remain open to perceive how Jesus will manifest in various forms, such as through a baby, song, nature, or acts of kindness from themselves or others.
Present Moment Awareness
How does the empty manger relate to Fr. Joe’s focus on the present? The empty manger serves as a dual reminder for Fr. Joe to commemorate Jesus’ birth and to remain attentive to the present moment, anticipating how Jesus might appear in new ways through song, nature, or acts of kindness.
Summary for: https://youtu.be/_OXv7flQgic by Noiz — YouTube Transcripter
OSV Family
Activities
Choose one of the following OUR SUNDAY VISITOR activities as a way to further reflect on the Sunday readings:
Blessing the Christmas Crèche
Set up the Christmas crèche, if you haven’t already done so. Ask a member of the family to offer a blessing prayer that reflects the joy and peace of the season. Talk about how your family will ensure that your holiday celebration will be a joyous event, focusing on the real meaning of Christmas.
Cherishing Childhood Memories
Look at your children’s baby pictures with them. Tell them what a blessing they were when they were born, and what a blessing they will always be. Share with them some joyful memories such as their first tooth, their first steps, etc.
Reflecting on the Holy Spirit’s Presence
Plan a time to gather the family together around the Christmas tree. Light the tree and ask each family member to reflect on a time when he or she has known the presence of the Holy Spirit. Allow time for family members to share their experiences.
Sharing Family Joys and Blessings
Discuss what joys and blessings your family has experienced in the past year. Ask each member of the family to share how each other member of the family has been a blessing or brought them joy in the past year.
SOURCE: Our Sunday Visitor Life Long Catechesis
RELATED PAGES:
OSV Kids provides children’s books and an engaging monthly activity booklet, OSV Kids, to help little ones form a relationship with Jesus Christ that grows as they do.
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4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Pray the Hail Mary
LITTLE LAMB STORIES (0:38) — Hail Mary narrated by a child. Easy to pray along with.
Gabriel greeted a young virgin with the words: “Hail Mary, full of grace! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28) With this news, Mary traveled to her cousin’s house. When she arrived, Mary was greeted with the words: “Blessed are you among women. And blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (Luke 1:42) These two greetings form the basis for the Hail Mary, the popular Catholic prayer that honors the Mother of Jesus.
On this Christmas Eve, take a few moments and pray the Hail Mary as a family. Our Savior was born because Mary said “Yes!” There is no better reason to honor her than for her simple act of faith.
SOURCE: Word-Sunday.com
Gospel Worksheet
Download 8 1/2 x 10 (PDF)
S.D.C. is a Catholic Society that works in the field of Catechesis and the spreading of the Word of God in different ways. READ MORE
SOURCE: SDC Sunday Liturgy Resources
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Catholic Kids Bulletin
Download 4-pages (PDF)
The Kids’ Bulletins are a resource for Catholic kids who would like to have some fun while learning about the readings from the Sunday Mass every week. (Ordinary Form) They are made by a mom in Canada who is happy to share them with anyone who can use them to help learn or teach about the truth and beauty of the Faith.
SOURCE: Catholic Kids Bulletin
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Catholic Mom
Download Activity (PDF)
Enjoy Catholic coloring pages, lesson plans, Mass worksheets, puzzles, and more to help you prepare for Sunday Mass. These activities, prepared by the Catholic Mom Sunday Gospel Team, are free for you to print and share with your family, classroom, or parish.
SOURCE: Catholic Mom
Micah 5: 1-4a
The prophet Micah reveals that Bethlehem-Ephrathah, a humble place, will be the birthplace of the Messiah. This theme of humility, emphasized by Jesus throughout his life, connects the readings for this Sunday. Humility, derived from the Latin word humus, means being grounded and acknowledging oneself as a creation of God. As Jesus embodied humility, it is appropriate that Bethlehem, a modest town, was chosen for the Messiah’s arrival.
Hebrews 10: 5-10
The author of Hebrews presents Jesus as a humble offering to God through his sacrificial death on the Cross. Jesus consistently exemplified humility in his life and death, serving as a model for his followers. As Christians, we are called to integrate humility into our thoughts, words, and actions, emulating the example set by Christ.
Luke 1: 30-45
In today’s Gospel, both Mary and Elizabeth exemplify humility. Mary visits Elizabeth, who humbly acknowledges their roles in salvation history. These women, despite their significant contributions as mothers of great individuals, maintain their humble nature, raising their children with the same values.
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Book of the Week
STORY FUN WITH MR M (11:29) – “To be great is not to be higher than another, but to lift another higher.”
Word of the Week
HUMILITY
The Tower
The Tower is the story of a young man who wishes to be great and who decides that in order to accomplish this, he must be above everyone else. He builds a tall tower, but in living above the rest of his villagers, he
finds that he is very isolated. After awhile, he is visited by a bird who tells him about a person even the birds look up to. The young man climbs down from his tower to meet this person, and finds that the person is a small old woman who spends her time feeding the birds. The woman explains to the young man that to be great is not to be higher than others, but to lift others higher.
The Tower (Richard Paul Evans)
Relationships and Connection
Q: How can I achieve true greatness?
A: Focus on lifting others higher rather than trying to be higher than them, as true greatness comes from helping and elevating others.
Q: What’s more important than personal achievements?
A: Prioritize building connections and relationships with others, as these bring more fulfillment and happiness than individual accomplishments or status.
Q: What does the tower symbolize in the story?
A: The tower represents human ambition and the misguided desire to achieve greatness through physical height and superiority over others.
Q: What negative consequences can result from seeking greatness through superiority?
A: Pursuing greatness through superiority can lead to arrogance and loneliness, as illustrated by the young man’s experience in the tower.
Service and Kindness
Q: What are some practical ways to serve others?
A: Engage in simple acts of kindness, such as feeding birds or helping those in need, which can have a significant positive impact on both others and yourself.
Q: How can I practice humility in my daily life?
A: Cultivate a spirit of generosity and service to others, focusing on their needs rather than seeking personal recognition or status.
Personal Growth
Q: Why might seeking recognition through achievements be misguided?
A: Pursuing admiration through personal accomplishments, like building a tall tower, can lead to isolation and loneliness rather than true happiness.
Q: What’s the key to finding genuine happiness?
A: Prioritize meaningful connections and acts of kindness over personal achievements, as these lead to more genuine and lasting happiness.
Young Catholic Resources by Date
Blessed Bearer – Lesson Plan on Evangelization
The Blessed Bearer lesson plan for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year C focuses on how we can bring Christ to others, like Mary did with Elizabeth. Mary brought Jesus to her cousin, and Elizabeth recognized Him. This encounter happened through their relationship.
Similarly, we bring Christ to others through our relationships, starting with those we know and care about. Evangelization is most effective with people we have a connection with, coming from a place of love. Even if our friends already know Jesus, we can work together to deepen our faith.
Blanket Carry Relay Game
The Blanket Carry Relay Game is perfect for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year C, connecting with the Gospel of Luke 1:39-45, where Mary carries Jesus to Elizabeth. Teams of five each take turns carrying a teammate on a blanket around a cone and back.
This outdoor game emphasizes teamwork and sharing the joy of Christ’s presence. Each member gets a chance to be carried and to carry, symbolizing how we bring Christ to others through our actions and relationships. The first team to complete all rotations wins.
The Hail Mary Prayer
The Hail Mary prayer, especially the middle part, echoes Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary in the Gospel of Luke 1:39-45. On the 4th Sunday of Advent Year C, we remember Elizabeth’s words, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.”
Psalm 80: A Cry for God’s Help and Restoration
Psalm 80 calls for God’s help to restore our world and is fitting for the 4th Sunday of Advent Year C. It asks God, our Creator and Shepherd, to save and renew us. Acknowledging our misuse of the world and mistreatment of each other, the psalm seeks guidance for change and new attitudes. It emphasizes the beauty of God’s creation and our need to care for it.
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Sermon Lesson
SOURCE: Ministry to Children
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Sermon 4 Kids
Mary Visits Elizabeth
OBJECTS: None
A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 1:39-41 NIV
Today is the last Sunday before Christmas. Are you getting excited? I am! What are some of the things that you look forward to at Christmas — besides opening presents of course? What are some of the family traditions your family has? (Give the children time to share.) The thing I remember most about the Christmases of my childhood is our family get-together. We almost always went to my Grandmother’s house and had a big family get-together. It was often the only time during the year when I got to see some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had so much fun visiting, eating, and playing games. In my mind, one of the very best things about Christmas is celebrating the birth of Jesus with family.
Our Gospel reading today tells what happened after God sent the angel Gabriel to tell Mary that she was going to have a baby and that she would name him Jesus. Can you imagine how Mary, a teenager engaged to marry a young carpenter, must have felt to hear news like that? After she recovered from the shock, the Bible tells us that Mary hurried to the home of a relative, Elizabeth, to tell her the news. Elizabeth was also expecting a baby and the Bible tells us that when she heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
SOURCE: Sermon 4 Kids
4th Sunday of Advent - YEAR C
Sermon Writer
Magnify the Lord
OBJECTS: Magnifying glass and objects that would be interesting to view when magnified such as a leaf, blade of grass, print in a book, a bug.
It is fun to look at ordinary things through a magnifying glass. The magnifying glass makes an object appear larger. We can see details we didn’t know were there. A magnifying glass helps us get a closer look at things.
Let’s take some time to see what we can discover. See how the print in this book gets larger as you pull the magnifying glass away from the page? Look at your fingernails and hands through the magnifying glass. Do you see anything that surprises you? (Provide various objects that would interest children.)
The word “magnify” has two meanings. It means to make things larger, as when we look through a magnifying glass, and it also means to “praise” or “give thanks.”
In the Bible, as we read about the birth of Jesus, we learn that Mary felt joy because she had been chosen to be the mother of Jesus and she gave thanks to God. She said, “My soul magnifies the Lord” (1:46). “My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior…” (1:47).
SOURCE: Sermon Writer