The Work of St. Joseph Read Matthew 1:19- An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. What made St. Joseph such a good man to be Jesus foster father? St. Joseph was an honorable, just, good, and hardworking man who was able to care and provide for the Holy Family. St. Joseph was a carpenter, so he worked with wood all his life. We can remember his hard work and love in providing for the Holy Family and ask for his intercession by writing St. Joseph, pray for us on the slice of wood. A Bright New Star Read Matthew 2:1-2- Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him. Why would a new star appear in the sky? What was God trying to tell us? God wanted everyone to know that His Son had been born for all people and wanted to show the way to Him. The Wise Men followed that star to find him, and we should too. Add this sparkly new star to your clue bag and remember that God put a new star in the sky to celebrate the birth of His Son and to shine the way to finding Him.
A Family Tree Read Matthew 1:1-16 Read Isaiah 11:1- A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse from his roots a branch will bear fruit. Who was in Jesus family tree? Why does it matter that He was born from that family? The Old Testament tells us that Jesus would come from the line of Jesse, who was King David s father. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy. Trace your wrist and hand on brown paper and cut it out to make a tree. Write your family name in the middle and all of the people in your family on the fingers. Remember that Jesus came from a very special family tree. A Humble Manger Read John 6, starting around verse 51 Read Luke 2:6-7- While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. A manger is a feeding place. Why would God choose to have His Son way here? Jesus gives us Himself as the Bread of Life in His Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Add a heart to the center of the little, simple manger for your clue bag. Remember that it was out of love that Jesus was born, becoming Emmanuel, God with us, and also out of love that He gives Himself to us in the Eucharist.
A Crown for the King of Heaven and Earth Read Luke 19:38- Blessed is the King that comes in the name of the Lord! Read Isaiah 9:6-7 Why do we call Jesus a newborn king? The Old Testament tells us that God would send a king to rule over his people, who would be a son given to us and would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God. He would sit on the throne of his father David and his kingdom would have endless peace. Jesus is this King. Decorate a crown for Jesus, the King of Heaven and Earth. Write Christ our King, decorate with markers, and add jewels. The Love of The Blessed Virgin Mary Read Luke 2:19 - But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Read Isaiah 7:13-14 Why was Mary the perfect choice to be Jesus Mom? Mary was planned for to be the Mother of the Savior for all time. She was Immaculately Conceived and always chose to follow God in her life. Jesus birth came about in the way that Isaiah said that it would. A tied string is symbol of wanting to remember something. Cut out a heart to represent Mary, punch two holes in it, and tie a blue cord through it in a bow to show us that Mary treasured everything about the life of Jesus and pondered it in her heart.
The Gifts of the Wise Men Read Psalm 72:10-11 Read Matthew 2:10-11- When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Why did these travelers come so far and bring Jesus such expensive gifts? The prophets in the Old Testament knew that kings would come from far off lands and bring the Messiah gifts. The Wise Men fulfilled this prophecy because they believed the signs they saw and wanted to honor Jesus, the newborn King. Decorate a gift box for Jesus. Write thing that you would like to give Jesus for Advent on the slips of paper. You might give Him prayer time, or do something for your family, or read the Bible. Put the slips of paper into the gift box and wrap it up! The Sound of Angel Wings Read Luke 2:13-14- Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. Why did angels come to proclaim this baby s birth? The angels in heaven gather around God s throne singing his praises for all of eternity. They also wanted to sing and tell people about the moment that Christ was born and why He had come. Add a feather to your clue collection to remind you that angels are God s swift, heavenly messengers. Add a bell to remind you of the sweet and glorious song they sang over Bethlehem when Jesus was born.
A Little Town Called Bethlehem Read Luke 2;1-7 and Micah 5:1-5 Read John 7:42- Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived? Where was Jesus born? Why were Mary and Joseph in that town? Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph were there for the Census that Herod had called. The had to go to Bethlehem because Joseph was from David s family tree, and Bethlehem is the city of David. Color the B for Bethlehem the way you think that it looked the night that Jesus was born. Remember that Bethlehem was a special town that the Bible said would be the birthplace of the Messiah! The Visit of the Shepherds Read Luke 2:15- When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. What does the faith of the shepherds tell us about the birth of Jesus? The shepherds would have been simple, uneducated people, but when they heard the message about Jesus birth, they immediately believed and acted on that believe. We should strive to have faith like them! Twist together the pipe cleaners to make a shepherd s crook