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This worship series finds us preparing for Christmas. For most families, there are many traditions and rituals that coincide with the Advent season. The children’s messages for this series are created around one such tradition – Christmas cookies. Each week, a traditional cookie-cutter shape will be introduced, reinforcing the scripture passage for each week’s message. Provide a cookie-cutter template for children to take home each week. Encourage their families to bake cookies and reflect on each Sunday’s message during Advent.

The cookie shapes used are as follows: tree, snowflake, heart, angel, small gingerbread man, and larger gingerbread man.

DOWNLOAD Cookie-cutter Template (PDF)

Bring all the cookie-cutter shapes with you each week to use as visual aids and have the children select the shape that coincides with each week’s message.

A secondary activity could be to use the templates for coloring pages and/or Christmas tree ornaments and family discussions.

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C

Luke 1:42-45, New International Reader's Version

⁴²In a loud voice she called out, “God has blessed you more than other women. And blessed is the child you will have! ⁴³But why is God so kind to me? Why has the mother of my Lord come to me? ⁴⁴As soon as I heard your voice, the baby inside me jumped for joy. ⁴⁵You are a woman God has blessed. You have believed that the Lord would keep his promises to you!”

Visual Aids:

All cookie-cutter shapes.

Cookie shape:

Angel

Message:

Today I have some exciting news to share with you! This exciting news God gave to a woman named Mary. Maybe you have heard of her. (Have a Nativity Mary as a visual and place her near the manger.) Perhaps you remember her as you decorated your house. Maybe you placed her in the Nativity by a manger. God sent an angel to Mary to tell her she was going to have a baby. I wonder how Mary felt when an angel spoke to her. How do you think you would feel if an angel spoke to you? (Allow children to answer.) What do you think the angel looked like that Mary saw? (Allow children to respond.) Can you show me on your face the expression that Mary might have shown? (Have children show their best surprised face.)

The angel said that the baby would be God’s Son and would be greater than a king. This is what Jeremiah, Malachi, and John the Baptist were preparing for. This is the promise we are all preparing for. Why do you think it is great news that God’s Son came to earth? (Allow some responses.)

When Mary first heard the angel’s news, she did not understand why she was to be the mother of Jesus. It seemed impossible, but Mary decided to fully trust in God. How would you respond if an angel told you there would be a HUGE change in your life? Would you immediately trust that the angel was from God and was telling you God’s message, or would you have your doubts? (Allow children to respond.)

What cookie-cutter shape do you think we will take home this week? (Allow children to choose.) That is right. It is the angel. This week, as you prepare, bake, and wait, wonder together with your family about these things:

I wonder how you would feel if an angel told you some amazing news about your life.
I wonder how easy it was for Mary to believe immediately.
I wonder how you can share the good news of Jesus with others.

Nothing is impossible for God. Be like Mary and totally trust God! Believe in God and in God’s message of love to you through God’s Son Jesus.

Prayer:

Amazing God, thank you for sending your angel to remind Mary that nothing is impossible for you! Remind us of your love every time we see an angel during this week. Like the angel, allow us all to share the amazing news that Christmas and the birth of your Son is coming. Amen.