CATHOLIC LESSON
Catholic Religion teach that God is exist. Does God Exist?
https://www.thereligionteacher.com/jesse-tree-kit/
CATHOLIC LESSON PLANS
WHAT MAKES CATHOLIC LESSON PLANS DIFFERENT?
Teaching in a Catholic school or parish religious education program, you know that lesson planning for religion is different from any other topic. While teaching about God and faith is essential, so too must we strive to teach young people to love God and serve him and others. This is no easy task. It takes careful planning and the use of practical resources and engaging activities to pull it off well.
I outlined the best approach I know to lesson planning that leads students into a relationship with Christ in my book, Christ in the Classroom: Lesson Planning for the Heart and Mind.
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THE MEANING OF ADVENT VIDEO
THE MEANING OF ADVENT
What is the meaning of Advent?
The meaning of the word Advent is “to come” or “coming.” So you could say that the definition of Advent, meaning coming, is the liturgical season in which we prepare for the arrival of Jesus into the world.
We spend the four weeks of Advent in preparation for the coming of Jesus into the world.
We celebrate and prepare for two comings:
- the coming of Jesus into the world at Christmas (the Nativity)
- and the Second Coming when the Son of Man will return riding on the clouds.
ADVENT ACTIVITIES
Now Available: The Religion Teacher’s Advent Activity Pack and Jesse Tree Kit.
The Internet is loaded with advent activities of all sorts and kids. Check out the following links to help guide your way. Here are some general advent activity hubs on the web. These pages have other great resources to check out:
USCCB Advent Home Page (USCCB.org)
Ignatian Advent Resources (Loyola Press)
Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Activities for Your Home and Classroom (Look to Him & Be Radiant)
100+ Simple Advent Crafts for Catholic and Activities for Kids (The Kennedy Adventures)
Truly Catholic Advent and Christmas Activities (Today’s Catholic Teacher)
The Religion Teacher’s Advent Activity Pack and Jesse Tree Kit (The Religion Teacher)
CATHOLIC ADVENT WREATH ACTIVITIES
Advent Wreath Crafts and Activities (Catholic Icing)
Advent Wreath File Folder Game (The Catholic Toolbox)
DIY Advent Wreath (CatholicCulture.org)
Paper Advent Wreath (Catholic Inspired)
Advent Wreath Craft (Sara J. Creations)
Easy Advent Candle Craft for Kids (Kindercraze)
How to Make an Advent Wreath (Boots and Hooves Homestead)
The Meaning of the Advent Wreath (Video) (The Religion Teacher)
ADVENT CALENDAR ACTIVITIES
Using Printables to Create Personalized Advent Calendars (The Religion Teacher)
Advent Calendar: The True Story of Christmas (Sweeter than Sweet)
Advent Calendar Paper Chain (Activities for Kids)
Advent Countdown and Art Activity (Catholic Inspired)
Printable Advent Calendar (The Catholic Toolbox)
ADVENT JESSE TREE ACTIVITIES
The Jesse tree tells the story of Jesus’ ancestry. It is a great way for students to connect the Old and the New Testament.
The Religion Teacher’s Jesse Tree Kit (The Religion Teacher)
Sample Jesse Trees (Catholic Icing)
Jesse Tree (Resources for Catholic Educators)
How to Create a Jesse Tree (CatholicCulture.org)
ADVENT PRAYERS
The prayers on the following websites will work perfectly as opening or closing prayers to each of your class sessions. Consider distributing a list of these prayers and having students select some for their private reflection during this liturgical season.
General Advent Prayers (Catholic.org)
The Great O Antiphons (Catholic-resource.org)
O Antiphons Craft Ideas (Catholic Icing)
General Prayers (Creighton University)
Advent Prayers for Teens (Engaging Faith)
Advent Prayer Service Ideas and Tips (The Religion Teacher)
What are the Advent O Antiphons? Video (The Religion Teacher)
ADVENT GAMES
Advent Bingo (Loyola Press)
Advent Wreath File Folder Game (The Catholic Toolbox)
Printable Advent Game (The Crafty Classroom)
ADVENT WORKSHEETS
The Religion Teacher’s Advent Activity Pack (The Religion Teacher)
Advent Wreath Word Search Worksheet (The Religion Teacher)
Advent Worksheets (Education.com)
Advent Printables (Activity Village)
ADVENT BOOKS
Let’s Make a Jesse Tree (Amazon.com)
The Advent Jesse Tree (Amazon.com)
Welcome Baby Jesus (Amazon.com)
Joy to the World! Advent Activities for Your Family (Amazon.com)
Prepare the Way: Advent and Christmas Bible Stories for Kids (Jared Dees)
MEANING OF ADVENT
Video: What is the Meaning of Advent? (The Religion Teacher)
Video: What is the Meaning of the Advent Wreath? (The Religion Teacher)
Why is the third Sunday of Advent Pink? (The Religion Teacher)
Gaudete Sunday: 3 Things to Know about the Third Sunday of Advent (The Religion Teacher)
Waiting and Preparation: Teaching Advent and Christmas (Catechist’s Journey)
Journey to Bethlehem Advent Craft (Catholic Playground)
THE RELIGION TEACHER’S ADVENT RESOURCES
CHRISTMAS TREE LESSON PLAN
Christmas trees can be a great tool for catechesis whether at home or in a classroom. This lesson plan will help you unpack the symbolism of the Christmas tree customs with your students. They will be able to see their trees in a new way and even be able to teach their parents about what Christmas trees are meant to remind us of during Advent and the season of Christmas.
The format for this lesson plan is based on the process in the book, Christ in the Classroom.
CHRISTMAS TREE LESSON OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to (SWBAT) list the symbolism of a Christmas Tree.
SWBAT explain the the true meaning of Christmas using a Christmas Tree.
Students will feel (SWF) excited to tell their parents about what they now know about the Christmas Tree.
CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS TREE LESSON ACTIVITIES
LESSON HOOK
(Read more about the lesson hook strategy here.)
Sign the classic Christmas carol “O Christmas Tree” (“O Tannenbaum”) or find a recording of the song to play in class. Print out the lyrics or post them in front of the room. Ask students to explain what they think this song teaches us about our Christmas trees and the meaning of Christmas.
(Some versions of the song use its original German name, “O Tannenbaum.” A Tannenbaum is an fir tree and the song expressed the symbolic meaning evergreen trees had during the wintertime.)
PRESENTATION: CHRISTMAS TREE SYMBOLISM
Decorating the home with evergreen trees and wreaths is an ancient custom appearing in many different cultures. The evergreen trees, which do not lose their leaves during winter, are a reminder of new life and the coming of Spring.
Christians now place and decorate Christmas trees in their homes in celebration of Christmas as well. Here is as list of some of the Christian symbolism in a Christmas tree:
- Evergreen = Pine and fir trees are evergreen and reminds us of the everlasting life we share with God through the Death and Resurrection of Christ.
- Evergreen Tree = The Christmas tree itself reminds us of the Tree of Life in the Genesis Creation story. Jesus is the new Tree of Life and the source of everlasting life.
- Christmas Lights = Candles and lights on trees remind us that Jesus is the light of the world especially during the long dark days of winter.
- Ornaments = For many years people decorated their evergreen trees with red apples and for Christians this was a further reminder of the fruit of the Tree of Life in the story of Adam and Eve. Ornaments come in all shapes, sizes, and designs today and each decoration can have unique meaning for families.
- Star = Stars are often placed on the top of Christmas trees as a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem that led the Magi to find Jesus in the Epiphany story.
- Angel = An angel is sometimes placed on the top of the tree rather than a star as a reminder of the angels in the fields who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.
You may also choose to show this video which includes a brief explanation of each symbol within the Christmas tree:
CHRISTMAS TREE LESSON PLAN
Christmas trees can be a great tool for catechesis whether at home or in a classroom. This lesson plan will help you unpack the symbolism of the Christmas tree customs with your students. They will be able to see their trees in a new way and even be able to teach their parents about what Christmas trees are meant to remind us of during Advent and the season of Christmas.
The format for this lesson plan is based on the process in the book, Christ in the Classroom.
CHRISTMAS TREE LESSON OBJECTIVES
Students will be able to (SWBAT) list the symbolism of a Christmas Tree.
SWBAT explain the the true meaning of Christmas using a Christmas Tree.
Students will feel (SWF) excited to tell their parents about what they now know about the Christmas Tree.
CHRISTMAS TREE LESSON ACTIVITIES
LESSON HOOK
(Read more about the lesson hook strategy here.)
Sign the classic Christmas carol “O Christmas Tree” (“O Tannenbaum”) or find a recording of the song to play in class. Print out the lyrics or post them in front of the room. Ask students to explain what they think this song teaches us about our Christmas trees and the meaning of Christmas.
(Some versions of the song use its original German name, “O Tannenbaum.” A Tannenbaum is an fir tree and the song expressed the symbolic meaning evergreen trees had during the wintertime.)
PRESENTATION: CHRISTMAS TREE SYMBOLISM
Decorating the home with evergreen trees and wreaths is an ancient custom appearing in many different cultures. The evergreen trees, which do not lose their leaves during winter, are a reminder of new life and the coming of Spring.
Christians now place and decorate Christmas trees in their homes in celebration of Christmas as well. Here is as list of some of the Christian symbolism in a Christmas tree:
- Evergreen = Pine and fir trees are evergreen and reminds us of the everlasting life we share with God through the Death and Resurrection of Christ.
- Evergreen Tree = The Christmas tree itself reminds us of the Tree of Life in the Genesis Creation story. Jesus is the new Tree of Life and the source of everlasting life.
- Christmas Lights = Candles and lights on trees remind us that Jesus is the light of the world especially during the long dark days of winter.
- Ornaments = For many years people decorated their evergreen trees with red apples and for Christians this was a further reminder of the fruit of the Tree of Life in the story of Adam and Eve. Ornaments come in all shapes, sizes, and designs today and each decoration can have unique meaning for families.
- Star = Stars are often placed on the top of Christmas trees as a reminder of the Star of Bethlehem that led the Magi to find Jesus in the Epiphany story.
- Angel = An angel is sometimes placed on the top of the tree rather than a star as a reminder of the angels in the fields who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.
You may also choose to show this video which includes a brief explanation of each symbol within the Christmas tree:
CHRISTMAS TREE PRACTICE ACTIVITIES
Christmas Tree Matching Game
Have students create their own Christmas tree matching game using the template found at the bottom of this page. They can quiz each other using flashcards or play a game of memory using the symbols cards and the meaning cards.
Christmas Tree Ornament Meditation Worksheet
Many families decorate their Christmas trees with ornaments that the children have made or that mark special events in different years of their lives. The designs remind us of many different things about Christmas. Have the students pick one of their favorite Christmas tree ornaments and explain to a group or the entire class what the ornament can teach us about Christmas. They can either bring this ornament in to class for a show and tell activity or have them draw the ornament and then present it’s meaning using their drawing.
Use this Christmas Tree Ornament Worksheet to help them prepare for the presentation about their ornament:
Read the “Ornament Enlightenment” Christmas Story
In this Christmas Story, a boy learns various lessons about the true meaning of Christmas through fantastical encounters with the ornaments on his Christmas tree. Read the story and have the students make suggestions about what other ornaments and lessons he could learn while picking up the tree.
Read and print out the “Ornament Enlightenment” Christmas Story here.
“O Christ, O Christ” Prayer
Integrate prayer into the lesson by returning to the “O Christmas Tree” song. Instead of singing about the tree, have students compose a song as a prayer that sings to Christ instead. What praise can we give to Jesus during this season of preparation for or celebration of Christmas?
CHRISTMAS TREE PROOF (ASSESSMENT)
Have students draw and label a Christmas Tree and all its symbolism. They can draw lines to each symbol with a short description around the outside of the tree.
Challenge them to share what they learned about Christmas trees with their parents after class. Give the parents an “Ask Me About” Handout to encourage this conversation in the car or at home. Check in with them in the next class to see if their parents were surprised by what the kids taught them about the symbolism of a Christmas tree.
To learn more about the structure and approach in this lesson plan, check out Christ in the Classroom: Lesson Planning for the Heart and Mind.
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https://www.thereligionteacher.com/lent-project-and-lesson-plan-ideas/
LENT PROJECT AND LESSON PLAN IDEAS
Forty days.
We have forty days to help young people grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ during Lent. How do we make the most of our time with them?
First, think about some ongoing Lenten projects you can do with the students this year. How can you check in with them each time you see them to track progress of their journey to Jerusalem together with you during Lent? I offer a few project ideas below.
In addition to the ongoing Lenten projects, set aside some time for individual lessons you can plan throughout Lent to help students enter more deeply into the amazing opportunities for spiritual growth that the Church offers during Lent. I offer five lesson ideas below, which are included with dozens of resources including videos, worksheets, quizzes, and prayer ideas in The Religion Teacher’s Lenten Activity Pack.
CLASS PROJECT IDEAS FOR LENT
LENTEN JOURNAL
A journal can be a great way to keep track of your progress during Lent. During the week of Ash Wednesday, discuss with the students what they will give up for Lent this year. Either create together a collection of papers to make a journal or encourage them to use a special notebook to write in each day during Lent.
You might suggest that they simply write about the experiencing of giving something up (or adding something during Lent). They could even keep it short to just one sentence or one paragraph. What did they give up? What was hard about giving it up today? What did you do to avoid it?
Instead of focusing on the Lenten commitments, they could also focus on the three pillars of Lent. Have them write one example the ways they practiced prayer, fasting, and almsgiving each day.
LENTEN CALENDAR
Calendars are often more popular during Advent, but why not give students a calendar to track their progress during Lent? There are a lot good Lenten calendars on Catholic blogs. For example, check out these calendars from Catholic Icing and CatholicMom.com.
OPERATION RICE BOWL
Catholic Relief Services organizes a program each year called Operation Rice Bowl, which is a great way to practice almsgiving during Lent. The idea is that you keep a cardboard bowl in your class or in the families’ homes and put in spare change to help those in need throughout the world. The bowl itself and the many prayer resources at the CRS website are great ways to help encourage solidarity with the poor during Lent.
Learn more about Operation Rice Bowl here.
OTHER LENTEN ACTIVITY IDEAS
For years this collection of Lenten Activities, which I update annually, has been used by thousands of religious educators to plan fun and creative activity and project ideas for Lent. I hope you check this resource collection out and use some of the ideas you like best.
LENTEN LESSON PLAN IDEAS
When I updated The Religion Teacher’s Lenten Activity Pack, I simplified the resources into five effective lesson plans to help students learn to live their faith with passion and purpose during Lent.
Here are the five lessons in the activity pack. The video lessons for each lesson plan are freely available, but the worksheets and printable activities and prayers are only available in the activity pack or to premium members.
Find these and all the videos for Lent in this Lenten Video Series.
LESSON 1: THE FORTY DAYS OF LENT
Help your students learn the meaning of the word Lent and the name that the rest of the Catholic Church uses to more accurately describe what Lent is all about using this video:
Why is the number forty so significant? Share with your students some of the stories in the Bible that feature the number forty.
LESSON 2: ASH WEDNESDAY
Why do we wear ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday?
You can actually find a full example of this Ash Wednesday lesson plan here.
LESSON 3: THE THREE PILLARS OF LENT: PRAYER, FASTING, AND ALMSGIVING
In the Gospel reading on Ash Wednesday, we hear Jesus teaching about the three pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that we focus on in special ways throughout all of Lent. What do these words mean and how do we practice them during Lent? Be sure to share some of the ways you live out these three pillars along with this lesson on Lent.
Particularly focused on fasting, you might get this question from your students:
Why don’t we eat meat on Fridays during Lent? Here is the answer:
LESSON 4: THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION
If you are teaching in a Catholic school or parish, then your students are likely going to be given the opportunity to go to a penance prayer service. Help prepare them to go to the Sacrmament of Penance and Reconciliation by sharing with them the main parts of process of penance.
In particular, help your students understand the full meaning of the word “Contrition” and the words of the prayer we say by making an Act of Contrition:
LESSON 5: THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Your students are also likely to be invited to participate in the Stations of the Cross during Lent. If not, give them that chance to take a pilgrimage through each station of the cross. Help explain the meaning of the prayers we pray during the Stations of the Cross and the history of this devotion itself.
LENTEN LESSON RESOURCES
The Religion Teacher’s Lenten Activity Pack includes full lesson plans with activities, prayers, and graphic organizers for students to use while watching each one of the videos in this article. Download this resource today or become a premium member of The Religion Teacher to get this resource as well as access to hundreds of other resources exclusively for members.
This article was updated in 2019 and a previous version appeared in 2010 before almost all of the resources featured here were created.
SONGS
Thank You Lord For Everything/Lead me Lord/Country Gospel Album By Kriss Tee Hang/Lifebreathrough
Thank You Lord For Everything
Thank you Jesus
1.Thank you, thank you Jesus, thank you , thank you Jesus
Thank you, thank you Jesus oh my
God……..
2.Love you, love you Jesus, love you , love you Jesus
Love you, love you Jesus oh my God……..
Love you, love you Jesus oh my God……..
3.Praise you, Praise you Jesus, Praise you , Praise you Jesus
Praise you, Praise you Jesus oh my God……..
Praise you, Praise you Jesus, Praise you , Praise you Jesus
Praise you, Praise you Jesus oh my God……..
4.Serve you, serve you Jesus, serve you , serve you Jesus
Serve you, serve you Jesus,oh my God
Serve you, serve you Jesus,oh my God
5. Singing Alleluia , singing alleluia.
Singing alleluia from my heart.
Singing alleluia , singing alleluia.
Singing alleluia from my heart.
***
6.Thank you, thank you Jesus, thank you , thank you Jesus
Thank you, thank you Jesus from my heart ……..
7.Love you, love you Jesus, love you , love you Jesus
Love you, love you Jesus from my heart ……..……..
Love you, love you Jesus from my heart ……..
8.Praise you, Praise you Jesus, Praise you , Praise you Jesus
Praise you, Praise you Jesus from my heart ……..
Praise you, Praise you Jesus, Praise you , Praise you Jesus
Praise you, Praise you Jesus from my heart ……..
9.Serve you, serve you Jesus, serve you , serve you Jesus
Serve you, serve you Jesus from my heart ……..
Serve you, serve you Jesus from my heart ……..
10. Singing Alleluia , singing alleluia.
Singing alleluia from my heart.
Singing alleluia , singing alleluia.
Singing alleluia from my heart.
