Christmas is the celebration of Jesus, God’s greatest gift to us, coming into our lives. At this time, Jesus—the Word of God—tells us again that he is the God we are in search of and that he has come into our midst.

Christmas is also a season of gift giving, a tradition that originally centered on the Feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the Magi and the revelation of the Lord to the whole world.

See Liturgical Calendar–Seasons–Christmas for additional background information and prayer.


"Learning to Be Generous" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Celebrating the virtue of generosity
Materials		Prayer table with Bible and candle, slips of paper or note cards, pens, music
Reading		Acts 20:33–35
Music		"Hands of Healing," "All the Earth," Blest Are We – Music CD 4; "Come, Lord Jesus," Marilyn Ifcic (OCP Publications), "O Come, All Ye Faithful", Joseph Wade (ADESTE FIDELES)
Preparation		Invite children to think of one way that they each can be generous to their community. Have them commit themselves to this action by writing it on a slip of paper or a note card and bringing it to the prayer celebration. Print out and photocopy the liturgy, "Learning to Be Generous." Select a Scripture reader for the prayer celebration. Practice your role as leader. See also "Hands of Healing" for music movements.
Adaptation		Invite children to participate in a community project for others in need, such as gathering food baskets or collecting clothing.
Additional Materials		"Hands of Healing," Blest Are We Music CD 4 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36655-7 Blest Are We Song Book Words and melody for children; contains music for levels 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book Contains accompaniment music for levels 1-8 ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2