Children’s Liturgy of the Word – 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year A)

Theme – Prepare the Way for Jesus

Welcome & Gathering

(Gather the children; light a candle.)

Leader:
“Today is the Second Sunday of Advent.
Last week Jesus told us to wake up.
This week He tells us to get ready.

John the Baptist appears in the Gospel, calling out:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord!’
So today we’re going to think about how we can make room in our hearts for Jesus.”

Make the Sign of the Cross.

Leader:
“Lord Jesus, You come to us with gentleness and truth:
help us prepare our hearts for You. Amen.”

Introducing the Theme

Ask the children:

“What do you do when an important guest is coming to your house?”
(We clean, tidy, get things ready.)

“How would you prepare if Jesus Himself was coming to visit?”

Say:
“Advent is not only about waiting — it’s about preparing.
John the Baptist says, ‘Make a straight path for Jesus.’
That means clearing out anything in our hearts that gets in the way of loving Him.”

The Gospel (Simplified – Matthew 3:1–12)

(Read clearly and slowly.)

John the Baptist appeared in the desert.
He wore rough clothes and lived simply.
He said to the people,
“Change your hearts!
God’s Kingdom is near!
Make a straight path for the Lord!”

People came to him to say sorry for their sins.
John told them,
“I baptise you with water,
but Someone greater is coming.
He will fill you with the Holy Spirit.”

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

Reflection and Discussion

Ask:

“What did John the Baptist tell everyone to do?”
(Change your hearts; get ready.)

“Why do we need to make a ‘straight path’ for Jesus?”

Say:
“Imagine Jesus walking towards your heart.
But the path is messy — toys everywhere, rubbish, branches, bumps.
It’s hard for Him to get through.

That clutter is like our sins, our bad habits, our unkindness.
John says, ‘Clear it away. Jesus is coming.’

Advent is the time to tidy the inside of our hearts —
to pray, to forgive, to share, to be honest, to start again.”

Illustration / Visual Moment

(Show a broom or a small dustpan.)

Ask:
“What do we use this for?”
(To clean!)

Say:
“John the Baptist is like God’s big broom.
He reminds us that our hearts need cleaning too —
not the outside, but the inside.

Every good choice we make
is like sweeping away something that blocks Jesus.”

Invite the children to repeat quietly:

“Jesus, help me prepare my heart for You.”

Simple Child-Friendly Profession of Faith

Leader:
“Do you believe in God our Father, who sends His Son to save us?”
Children: “Yes, I believe.”

“Do you believe in Jesus, who comes to bring hope and peace?”
“Yes, I believe.”

“Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, who helps us change our hearts?”
“Yes, I believe.”

Intercessions

Leader:
“Jesus is coming close to us. Let’s ask Him to hear our prayers.”

For the Church — that we may help the world prepare a way for Jesus.
Lord, hear us.

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

For people who feel sad, worried, or alone — that Jesus may comfort them through our love.
Lord, hear us.

For ourselves — that we may clear away selfishness and make room for Jesus.
Lord, hear us.

(Optional: Hail Mary.)

Closing Prayer

Leader:
“Lord Jesus,
You come to meet us with love.
Help us to prepare Your way
by being kind, gentle, prayerful, and truthful.
Make our hearts ready for Your coming at Christmas.
Amen.”

Activity Ideas

1. “Heart Road” Craft

Give each child a paper heart with a winding path drawn on it.
They write or draw ways to “straighten the path” — praying, helping, forgiving.

2. Prepare the Way Action Game

Children pretend the floor is a messy path.
At the words “He’s coming!”, they jump up and shout:
“Prepare the way for the Lord!”

3. Advent Promise Flame

Give each child a coloured “flame” to add to the communal wreath.
They write one promise for the week:
“I will forgive”, “I will share”, “I will pray”, etc.

4. Memory Line

All repeat three times:

“Prepare the way — Jesus is near!”

Sending Back

Leader:
“This week, every time you see a candle or a Christmas light, remember John’s words:
‘Prepare the way for the Lord.’
Let’s go back now to the big church and ask Jesus quietly in our hearts:
‘Lord Jesus, make my heart ready for You.’”

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