Journey from hope-peace-joy to the table of love

🌟 Children’s Message: Advent Journey from Hope to Love

Introduction  

This colorful tablecloth is made of many strips woven together—some dark, some light, some bright and cheerful. Each little square is like a person’s story, a family’s story, or a group’s story—a piece of their faith journey. When we bring all those stories together, they become one beautiful piece, just like we become one family in Christ. On top of this cloth, we place the bread and the cup—the meal Jesus gave us to remember His love. And beside it, the cross reminds us that Jesus is always with us. This table is where hope, peace, joy, and love come together, and where we all belong.

Step 1: Candle of Hope   (Place the tablecloth, light the candle of hope, three candles for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.)

• Say: “We light the candle of Hope. Even when things feel uncertain, God’s light shines.”

• Ask: “How does this candle help us see Hope?”

• Invite children to answer briefly.

• Optional: Encourage them to name something that gives them hope.

  An answer could be: “This candle reminds us that God’s light shines even when things feel dark or uncertain. That’s our hope.”

Step 2: Gathering in Peace   (Invite everyone to greet each other as children of God.)

• Say: “We gather together and share peace with one another.”

• Ask: “How does greeting each other help us see Peace?”

• Optional: Teach them to say, “Peace be with you,” as they greet.

  An answer could be: “When we share peace with one another, we remember that God wants us to live together in harmony, not apart.”

Step 3: Offering with Joy   (Bring forward bread and grape juice, along with offerings.)

• Say: “We bring all we are and all we have to God’s table.”

• Ask: “How does this offering help us see Joy?”

• Optional: Invite children to share one thing that makes them joyful.

  An answer could be: “Giving to God’s table fills us with joy because we know everything we have comes from God’s love.”

Step 4: Meal of Love   (Show the table set for Communion.)

• Say: “Now we are ready to eat the meal of thanksgiving.”

• Ask: “How does this meal help us see Love in our time together?”

• Optional: Encourage them to think of one way they can show love this week.

  An Answer could be: “This meal shows us God’s greatest love in Jesus, who gave himself for us, and it reminds us we are loved and called to love each other.”

🙏 Closing Repeated Prayer (with motions)

Invite children to repeat each line after you, with simple gestures:

• God of Hope, shine your light in us. ✨ (hands lifted upward)

• God of Peace, bring us together. 🤝 (hands open wide)

• God of Joy, fill our hearts with gladness. ❤️ (hands on heart)

• God of Love, bind us as one in Christ. 🌍 (hands joined together)

• Amen.