Children’s Liturgy of the Word – 1st Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Theme – Wake Up! Jesus is Coming

Welcome & Gathering

(Gather the children in the hall; light a small candle.)

Leader:
“Today we start a brand-new Church year! It’s the season of Advent, when we get ready for Jesus — not only for His birthday at Christmas, but for the day when He will come again.

Advent means coming. Jesus came as a baby, He comes to us in every Mass, and one day He’ll come again as King. So our hearts need to be awake and ready.”

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Leader:
“Lord Jesus, You come to bring light to our darkness:
help us to stay awake in love. Amen.”

Introducing the Theme

Ask:

“What happens if you sleep through something important — like school or a birthday?”

“How do we wake up fast?”

Say:
“Advent is God’s alarm clock for the heart. Sometimes we fall asleep in our faith — we forget to pray, to forgive, to be kind. Jesus says, ‘Wake up! The day of the Lord is coming!’

So Advent is our time to open our eyes, tidy our hearts, and get ready for Jesus.”

The Gospel (Simplified – Matthew 24:37-44)

(Leader reads slowly and clearly.)

Jesus said to His friends,
“When the Son of Man comes, it will be like in the days of Noah.
People were eating and drinking, busy with their lives, and they didn’t notice when the flood came.

So stay awake, because you don’t know the day your Lord will come.
If a householder knew when a thief was coming, he would stay awake and not let his house be broken into.

That’s why you must be ready too, because the Son of Man will come at a time you don’t expect.”

Leader: “The Gospel of the Lord.”
Children: “Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Reflection and Discussion

Ask:

“What did Jesus tell us to do?” (Stay awake! Be ready!)

“Why were the people in Noah’s time caught by surprise?”

“How can we stay ready for Jesus?”

Say:
“Jesus doesn’t want us frightened; He wants us ready.
Being ready doesn’t mean sitting still — it means living with love.
When we help, share, pray, forgive, we’re already awake inside.

Imagine Jesus knocking at your door.
Would your heart be tidy and kind?
That’s what Advent is for — to clean the heart and fill it with love.”

Illustration / Visual Moment

(Show an alarm clock or phone timer.)

Ask:
“What’s this for?”
“It wakes us up!”

Say:
“Advent is God’s alarm clock.
Every candle we light on the wreath says: ‘Wake up — Jesus is closer!’

We don’t know the exact time, but we want to be found smiling when He comes.”

Optional: Invite them to stretch arms wide and say together:

“Jesus, help me to stay awake in love!”

Profession of Faith (Child-Friendly)

Leader:
“Do you believe in God our Father, who made the world?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”

“Do you believe in Jesus, God’s Son, who will come again?”
“Yes, I believe.”

“Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, who helps us stay awake in faith?”
“Yes, I believe.”

Intercessions

Leader:
”Jesus is coming again in glory. Let’s pray to Him with hope.”

For the Church — that we may shine with faith this Advent.
Lord, hear us.

For our families — that our homes may be places of prayer and peace.
Lord, hear us.

For all who are sad or lonely — that they may feel Jesus’ love through us.
Lord, hear us.

For ourselves — that we may stay awake in kindness and joy.
Lord, hear us.

(Optional Hail Mary.)

Closing Prayer

“Lord Jesus,
You come to us as light in the darkness.
Wake us up when we forget You,
help us to be ready when You come,
and fill our hearts with Advent joy.
Amen.”

Activity Ideas

1. Advent Wreath Promise:
Give each child a small paper flame.
They write one way to “stay awake” (pray, help Mum, be kind, forgive).
Add the flames to a class wreath each week.

2. “Wake Up for Jesus” Game:
Children sit with eyes closed. When leader calls “He’s coming!” everyone jumps up and shouts “I’m ready, Lord Jesus!”

3. Craft – Advent Alarm Clock:
Draw a clock; write “Time to Love God!” on the face. Decorate with stars and candles.

4. Memory Line:
All repeat three times:

“Stay awake — Jesus is coming!”

Sending Back

Leader:
“This week, every time you see a light or a candle, remember:
Jesus is coming to bring light to the world.
Let’s go back now to the big church, ready to tell Him in our hearts:

‘Lord Jesus, I’m awake and ready!’”

(Sign of the Cross; return to the assembly.)