Children’s Liturgy – The Word Who Comes to Live With Us

Children’s Liturgy — The Word Who Comes to Live With Us

Gathering

Good morning everyone.

We are still in the Christmas season — even though the world has already started to move on.
The Church keeps celebrating Christmas because something very important has happened.

God has not stayed far away.
God has come close.

Today we are going to think about what it means that Jesus comes to live with us — not just in a story, but in real life.

Opening Question

Let me ask you something.

Have you ever had a guest come to stay at your house?
Not just for five minutes — but properly stay.

What changes when someone comes to live with you?

You make space

You share things

You behave a little differently

You don’t just ignore them.

That helps us understand today’s Gospel.

The Gospel (told simply)

Today’s Gospel says something very beautiful:

“The Word became flesh and lived among us.”

That means:

Jesus is not just God visiting for a moment.
He comes to live with us.

He eats.
He sleeps.
He grows.
He shares our life.

God moves into the neighbourhood.

What Is “The Word”?

The Gospel calls Jesus “the Word.”

That doesn’t mean a word like in a book.

It means:

God speaking

God showing us who He is

God telling us the truth

When Jesus comes, God is saying:

“This is who I am.
This is how I love you.
This is how I want you to live.”

Activity Option 1: Listening Game (very quick)

Let’s try something.

Everyone be very quiet for five seconds.

Now — listen.

What can you hear?

(Take a few answers)

Listening is important.
Because when someone comes to live with you, you have to listen to them.

Jesus doesn’t just want space in our house.
He wants space in our hearts.

Light and Darkness

The Gospel also says:

“The light shines in the darkness.”

Jesus is like a light.

Light helps us to:

see clearly

feel safe

find our way

Darkness can be:

being unkind

lying

hurting others

forgetting to pray

Jesus comes to help us see what is right and good.

Activity Option 2: Torch or Imaginary Light

If you have a torch, show it briefly.
If not, use imagination.

Imagine you are in a dark room.

What happens when the light is turned on?

Everything becomes clearer.

That’s what Jesus does in our lives.

Sirach: Wisdom Makes a Home

In the first reading today, it says that God’s Wisdom makes a home among people.

That means God wants to be part of:

our homes

our families

our ordinary days

Not just church days.

Jesus belongs in school, at home, on the playground, and with our friends.

What Does It Mean for Us?

If Jesus comes to live with us, then:

We try to be kind, even when it’s hard

We say sorry when we get things wrong

We pray — even short prayers

We try to listen to God

We don’t have to be perfect.

We just have to make room.

Activity Option 3: Making Room

Hold out your hands like they are full.

Imagine they are full of:

anger

sulking

selfishness

Now slowly open your hands.

That’s what making room looks like.

We make room for Jesus when we let go of things that don’t belong.

The Name of Jesus

There is something special we do in church.

When we hear the name Jesus, we bow our heads.

Why?

Because His name is holy.
Because He is Lord.
Because He saves us.

Bowing is our way of saying:

“Jesus, you are important to me.”

Practice Together

Let’s say His name together — and bow our heads.

(Say “Jesus” slowly and bow)

That’s something you can do anywhere — not just in church.

Quiet Prayer

Let’s be very quiet for a moment.

Think of one way you could make room for Jesus this week:

being kinder

praying at bedtime

helping at home

Now let’s say together:

“Jesus, come and live in my heart.”

Closing

Christmas tells us something wonderful:

God loves us so much
that He came to live with us.

Let’s try to live this week remembering:

Jesus is close

Jesus is light

Jesus is with us

And let’s ask Mary to help us welcome Him.

Hail Mary…