Epiphany Celebration

Sunday School is a learning experience for me every time. I "cram" for my Sunday School lessons. There is never any telling what some child or other will think to ask, so I do my research. But, of course, no matter how much I research or how carefully I prepare my crafts, I never know quite what will happen on Sunday morning.

I have been aware of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program for a while. Lately, I have been reading everything I can find about it. I have not found a course to take yet, so in the meanwhile I am using lessons from Moira Farrell's Home Catechesis and another Montessori resource Godly Play. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd requires 90 hours of training per level. I think the majority of the 90 hours must be to pass on the methods to creating and maintaining a quiet, purposeful classroom! ;)

The children were excited to see the materials I had prepared. They were a bit too high-spirited for quiet meditation, but they did plan their own Procession of the Magi which they presented to the parish during coffee hour. I had been frustrated that my lesson was not received the way I had imagined. When I saw them excitedly planning and presenting their procession, I realized they were assimilating the lesson in their own way. I also noted that this is a group that would respond well to more skits and choral activities.

After mass, some parishioners went to a Great Blessing of the Waters service held by a local Orthodox mission. Our parish and theirs have been meeting in the same general area of the large complex of a local Baptist church. In fact, we are meeting where they previously met; they had to switch places because their incense constantly set off the smoke alarms. (We only use incense during a sung mass or a solemn high. I really miss the incense - another reason to look forward to our new building!)

After a quick, impromptu picnic at our church building site - we just cannot stay away - we met at the large lake near our parish. The service was held under a bright blue and very cold sky. We did not really discuss it with our two girls other than to say, "The Orthodox celebrate Christ's Baptism today; we will in 2 weeks on Epiphany II," and frequent whispers of, "Did you hear that? What did that sound like? That's right!" The singing was absolutely lovely.

When we returned home we ate our camel cookies (before I got any pictures) with a quick chocolate-orange frosting and relaxed at home after a busy morning and afternoon. When the sun went down, we had an Epiphany house blessing and put the (traditional) initials of the Wise Men and the new year above the door. We prayed that, like the Magi, our comings and goings would be in search of Truth.

Now I am looking ahead to the lesson for Epiphany I: the Child Jesus in the Temple. I made a Temple for the presentation I did on the Purification/Presentation that I will use again. (2 wooden plaques and 8 wooden candlestick holders from H@bby L@bby)

I will reuse Mary and Joseph, and I bought a smaller peg to make the Child Jesus. The Wise Men were fun, but I am glad to go back to the simpler figures.

This site has a simple, but nice coloring page of the Child among the teachers. When I do a search for "jesus temple activity florida church," I get the cut and paste activity I used last year. I may offer it again with an optional activity for anyone who remembers it from last year. I also found a free board game here at The Catholic Toolbox. That might be something for the children to play during coffee hour. Let me know if you have other ideas for this Bible lesson, and I will include them in an Epiphany I post.
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