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.


"Happy Birthday, Jesus" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		To recognize Jesus as a special gift to all people.
Materials		Prayer table with Bible, Advent wreath, enough pieces of straw for each child, simple crib or small box to hold straw, music
Reading		Luke 2:4-7
Music		"Silent Night," Blest Are We Music CD K; "He Came Down," Blest Are We Music CD 1; "Who Shall Come to Worship Him," Janet Vogt (OCP Publications); "Gift of God," Marty Haugen (GIA Publications)
Preparation		Before the prayer celebration, have children think of loving actions they can do as gifts for family members. They will share these actions during the liturgy. Practice your role as leader. Children will not need copies of the liturgy. Write the responses on the chalkboard in advance, or say each response and have them repeat it with you. Place the straw next to the crib or box so that children can come to the prayer table, pick up a piece of straw, and place it during the liturgy.
Adaptation		Children could role-play loving actions. You could also continue the straw activity for each week that you meet during Advent.
Additional Materials		For a full year of liturgies, from which this one was adapted, see: Prayer Celebrations, Primary Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30567-1 / 9780382305672 Blest Are We Music CD K Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36568-2 / 9780382365683 Blest Are We Music CD 1 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36652-2 / 9780382366529 Blest Are We Song Book for Grades 1-8 Words and melody for children; contains music for grades 1-8. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 / 9780382366178 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book for Grades 1-8 Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2 / 9780382366185