From the Manger to the Mass: Advent Preparation for Kids

Every Advent season, God invites us to carefully prepare our hearts for the annual remembrance of the Incarnation of His Son, Jesus. That first Christmas was the day when Jesus came forth from His mother’s womb and dwelt among us. The Incarnation is one of the central mysteries of our faith, and it carries with it the extraordinary story of God’s immense love for us.

Incredibly, our faith tells us that not only did Jesus come to dwell with us that first Christmas long ago, but that He still dwells physically present with us now—in the Eucharist! Just as Mary nestled baby Jesus in her arms on that long ago day, we too can open our hearts and receive Him at each and every Mass. What a miracle! 

We may not automatically make a connection between the coming of Jesus at Christmas and the coming of Jesus at Mass, but the reality is that there is a powerful relationship between these two mysteries. Both of them are extraordinary examples of Jesus’ love for us. Naturally, as Catholic parents we want our kids to understand this love. So, how do we share with our children about Christ’s loving presence both in the Incarnation and through the Mass? Here are three tips to get you started.

1. Dive into these Mysteries for Yourself 

The first and most important step to helping your children prepare their hearts this Christmas is to further your own understanding of Christmas and the parallels that exist between it and the Eucharist. 

The prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14 foretold that Jesus was to be called “Immanuel,” a Hebrew word meaning “God with us.” So, too, He was destined to be born in the town of “Bethlehem” (see Micah 5:2), another Hebrew word, meaning “house of bread.” Think about that: the incarnate Christ was called “God with us” and arrived in a town called “house of bread.” In a strikingly similar way, at every Mass, Jesus comes to be with us, hidden under the appearance of bread. These are just a few of the parallels that can be drawn between the first Christmas and the Mass! 

Take some time to reflect on these similarities. Then see if you can find some more on your own. Spend time in prayer and meditation, perhaps using the Joyful and Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary to guide your prayer time. Take up the daily Gospel readings this Advent, using lectio divina and your Catholic imagination to enter into the Christmas story. As you let God’s message of love sink into your heart, talk with your children about what you are learning.

2. Live Liturgically

This means to live each day with Christ in mind. Center your family life around Him. Start a Jesse Tree and explore the Scripture stories that outline the genealogy of Jesus and God’s plan of salvation. As you light the candles on your Advent wreath, spend time talking about the love of Jesus. Carve out time to bring your children to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, so that they can spend time with our Lord truly present in the Eucharist. Whatever activity you choose, as you share about the first Christmas, always take time to remind your children that Jesus in the Eucharist meets us similarly at every Mass.

3. Make Connections for Your Kids

Our kids seem to notice everything. It can be easy to assume that because kids are so observant, they are also making important connections to what they see, hear, and experience. The reality is that oftentimes they need us to help them make those connections.

The most important thing that you can communicate to your kids about Christmas is this: out of love, Christ came to dwell with us on Christmas and He still comes to dwell with us today—in the Eucharist at Mass and is always in our hearts since our Baptisms. My new book, The Mass and the Manger: My Interactive Christmas Story, can help you when you’re trying to teach your kids about the love of Jesus this Christmas. Through the use of story, rhyme, and fold-out flaps, I bring to light numerous parallels between the first Christmas and the Mass.

Another beautiful tradition is to read the Christmas stories right out of the Gospels of Luke and Matthew with your children, answering their questions as you read along. Finally, don’t overlook the impact of a simple manger scene—a Nativity set in your home with sturdy figures that the children are allowed to touch and play with (respectfully!) can really help them come to know and receive God’s love for them this Christmas.

Every child deserves to know just how much God loves them. There is truly no greater gift we can give them. This Advent season, take the time to understand and explain these mysteries to your children—it will be time well spent!

Author Bio: Jennifer Sharpe is a Catholic mother who is passionate about helping all believers develop a loving relationship with Jesus, especially in the Eucharist. A convert to Catholicism who saw a need for engaging books for Catholic children, Jennifer is the author of several books, including her latest book with Ascension, The Mass and the Manger: My Interactive Christmas Story. She also penned Ascension’s award-winning My First Interactive Mass Book. This title won two Association of Catholic Publishers Excellence in Publishing Awards, achieving a rare first place in two categories: Children’s Picture Books and Spanish. Jennifer lives with her husband and children in Oklahoma.