Sunday, December 21, 2025

4th Sunday of Advent: Welcoming Light (A) 10

Key Passage

When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:24)

Questions

Adults: Whom do you find it difficult to welcome in your life? What can you do to overcome that?

Children: What could you do this week to make someone feel welcome, as Joseph welcomed Mary?

Readings

First Reading • Birth of Emmanuel

Isaiah 7:10-14 (NRSVCE | GNT | MSG | NLT | NRSVACE)

Related activities & tools

Fun Bible Skits 2: Ready-to-Go Scripts & Activities
- Chapter 10: God Promises Us Immanuel • p.32-34 • Is 7:1-14; Mt 1:18-25

Psalm

Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 (NRSVCE | GNT | MSG | NLT | NRSVACE)

Second Reading • Greetings From Paul

Romans 1:1-7 (NRSVCE | GNT | MSG | NLT | NRSVACE)

Gospel • The Birth of Jesus

Matthew 1:18-24 (NRSVCE | GNT | MSG | NLT | NRSVACE)

Related activities & tools

Fun Bible Skits 2: Ready-to-Go Scripts & Activities
- Chapter 10: God Promises Us Immanuel • p.32-34 • Is 7:1-14; Mt 1:18-25
52 Interactive Bible Stories: A Collection of Action, Echo, Rhythm, and Syllable Stories
- Chapter 22: Jesus: Born in Bethlehem • p.37 • Mt 1:18-25; Lk 2:1-20
Wows series: Sciency-Fun WOWS! Ages 3-7: 54 Surprising Bible Object Lessons
- Chapter 1: An Angel Announces Jesus’ Birth » Paper Stretch • p.8-9 • Lk 1:26-38; Mt 1:18-25
Wows series: Makerific WOWS! Ages 3-7: 54 Surprising Bible Crafts
- Chapter 1: An Angel Announces Jesus’ Birth » Announcing Angels • p.8-9 • Lk 1:26-38; Mt 1:18-25
Wows series: Makerific WOWS! Ages 8-12: 54 Surprising Bible Crafts
- Chapter 1: An Angel Announces Jesus’ Birth » Flying Cups • p.8-11 • Lk 1:26-38; Mt 1:18-25
Wows series: Sciency-Fun WOWS! Ages 8-12: 54 Surprising Bible Object Lessons
- Chapter 1: An Angel Announces Jesus’ Birth » Believe It • p.8-9 • Lk 1:26-38; Mt 1:18-25
Building Faith Brick by Brick: An Imaginative Way to Explore the Bible with Children
- Chapter 31: The Birth of Jesus • p.80-81 • Mt 1:18-25; Lk 2:1-20
Big Picture Bible Crafts: 101 Simple and Amazing Crafts to Help Teach Children the Bible
- Chapter 55: God Reveals His Plan to Mary and Joseph • p.126-127 • Mt 1:18-25; Lk 1:26-56
Learning Centers series: Learning Centers for Advent & Lent
- Advent • Chapter 2: The O Antiphons • p.8-10 • Is 9:6; Mt 1:22-23
- Advent • Chapter 7: Names for Jesus • p.24-27 • Mt 1:20-21; Rom 10:6
- Advent • Chapter 10: St. Joseph • p.36-37 • Mt 1:18-24
Fun Bible Skits 3: Ready-to-Go Scripts & Activities
- Chapter 25: Christmas Play: A Different Kind of King • p.80 • Mt 1:18-2:2
Coloring Creations: 52 Creative Bible Lessons
- Chapter 37: Jesus Is Born for Us! • p.78-79 • Lk 2:1-20