Handout #1

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Twelfth Night Cake

8 Servings
Ingredients
1 cup shortening
2 2 3 cups sugar
5 cups flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
teaspoon salt
1 cups milk
6 egg whites, stiffly beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Icing
2 cups confectioners sugar
cup butter or margarine
2 tablespoons milk or cream
gumdrops

1. Preheat oven to 375.

2. Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Sift dry
ingredients together. Add milk alternately with
the sifted dry ingredients to the creamed
mixture.
3. Fold in beaten egg whites. Add vanilla and stir.
4. Divide batter evenly between three 9-inch
greased layer cake pans and bake for about 30
minutes.
5. Prepare the icing by beating the ingredients
(except gumdrops) together until stiff. Spread
icing between layers and on top as a frosting.
Decorate the top with a crown of gumdrops.

Recipe and reflection from From a Monastery

Kitchen, by Brother Victor-Antoine dAvilaLatourrette. Copyright 1997, by Gramercy
Books, New York, New York. Used by
permission [pending]

Reflections
For who hath naught to give but love,
Gives all his heart away,
And giving all, hath all to give,
Another Christmas Day.
- Charles W. Kennedy

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #2

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Table Blessing

[Printed in two panels so that sheet can be cut into smaller cards]

FOLD

FOLD

Gracious God,

Gracious God,

May your spirit that shone so brightly

in the star over Bethlehem illuminate our lives.
Fill us with grace so that, like Mary,
we open ourselves to your divine plan.
Prepare a place in our hearts
to receive the blessed Christ child.
Let this Christmas season be a time
of holiness, wonder, and great joy.
We pray this in the holy name of Jesus.

May your spirit that shone so brightly

in the star over Bethlehem illuminate our lives.
Fill us with grace so that, like Mary,
we open ourselves to your divine plan.
Prepare a place in our hearts
to receive the blessed Christ child.
Let this Christmas season be a time
of holiness, wonder, and great joy.
We pray this in the holy name of Jesus.

Amen.

Amen.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #3

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The first day of Christmas - A partridge in a pear tree

The second day of Christmas - Two turtledoves
The third day of Christmas - Three French hens
The fourth day of Christmas - Four calling birds
The fifth day of Christmas - Five golden rings
The sixth day of Christmas - Six geese a-laying
The seventh day of Christmas - Seven swans a-swimming
The eighth day of Christmas - Eight maids a-milking
The ninth day of Christmas - Nine ladies dancing
The tenth day of Christmas - Ten lords a-leaping
The eleventh day of Christmas - Eleven pipers piping
The twelfth day of Christmas - Twelve drummers drumming

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #4

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Giving Glory to God

Opening song

Leader:

All:

Joy to the World, from We Believe Music CD,

Grade 1, Track #16
Glory to God in the highest.
And peace to Gods people on earth.

Gospel Reading Luke 2:10-14

 he angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I
T
proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all
the people. For today in the city of David a savior has
been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will
be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in
swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly
host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to
God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom
his favor rests.
The Gospel of the Lord
All:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Creation of prayer wreath

Response:

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those

on whom his favor rests.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #5A

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

The Birth of Jesus

Read Together
In the birth of Jesus, the invisible God
becomes visible. The feast of the Nativity
(December 25) celebrates the light that
Jesus brought into the world through his
birth. The Christmas season is a special
time to celebrate that God is with us as our
refuge and strength, as wisdom and
goodness, as helper, shepherd, and guide.
Christmas is a season to be mindful of the
present and to trust in Gods plan for the
world and for our lives. It is a season to
rejoice in the love God has for us.

Work Together
Create a Christmas wreath that celebrates the joy of Jesus birth and the
light that shines throughout the Christmas season. Use the materials in
your craft basket along with your imagination. Involve everyone in the
project!

Pray Together
Use the materials provided to build an entryway to the Gather In My Name
Easter garden. Consider how you can make it welcoming and inviting to all
of those at this event as well as to parishioners who will visit the garden at
another time. As part of this entrance, work together to make a banner.
Place a simple phrase of welcome on the banner. Duplicate the flower cutout
(Page 5A2) to collect signatures from every person at the event, and attach
to your banner. Place the banner at the entryway to the garden.

Share Together
Choose someone from your table to read the description of your table theme
and to tell about your wreath to the rest of the group. Pick others to read
the Scripture passage and table prayer during the closing.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #5B

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Care of the Poor

Read Together
In Jewish tradition, angels were
messengers from God who often appeared
as strangers to those who were not
expecting their coming. In the letter to the
Hebrews, early Christian disciples were
reminded of the importance of extending
hospitality to others because, in doing so,
one might unknowingly encounter an angel.
St. Stephen (December 26) was one of the
original seven deacons who were appointed
by the apostles to take care of the needs of
the poor in the Church. His feast day is a reminder of Jesus call to serve
those who are poor and in need of the basic necessities of life.

Work Together
Create a Christmas wreath that symbolizes the care of the poor that is
part of the message of Jesus. Use the materials in your craft basket along
with your imagination. Involve everyone in the project!

Pray Together
Make a Christmas prayer card to share with the rest of the Gather In My
Name participants as well as the entire parish. Write a simple prayer on
the front of the card and decorate it. Leave the inside of the card blank so
that other participants can add their petitions later in the event. Fold the
card into a standing position.

Share Together
Choose someone from your table to read the description of your table
theme and to tell about your wreath to the rest of the group. Pick others to
read the Scripture passage and table prayer during the closing.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #5C

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

The Children of the World

Read Together
Jesus came into the world as a baby. It was
a dangerous time to be born. King Herod,
fearful of this newborn king, ordered all the
first-born baby boys in Bethlehem to be
killed. After being warned by an angel in a
dream about this brutal order, Joseph took
Mary and the baby to Egypt where Jesus
could grow up safely.
The feast of the Holy Innocents (December
28) remembers the children who were killed
in such a cruel manner at the time of Jesus
birth. It is a day to also remember all of the
innocent children of the world and to pray
for their well-being, safety, and happiness.

Work Together
Create a Christmas wreath that symbolizes your hopes for the children of
the world. Use the materials in your craft basket along with your
imagination. Involve everyone in the project!

Pray Together
Make a Christmas prayer card to share with the rest of the Gather In My
Name participants as well as the entire parish. Write a simple prayer on
the front of the card and decorate it. Leave the inside of the card blank so
that other participants can add their petitions later in the event. Fold the
card into a standing position.

Share Together
Choose someone from your table to read the description of your table
theme and to tell about your wreath to the rest of the group. Pick others to
read the Scripture passage and table prayer during the closing.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #5D

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

The Holy Family

Read Together
Jesus was born into a family. Although we
dont know much about their lives together,
we celebrate Mary, Joseph, and Jesus as
the Holy Family because of the faith, love,
and care they had for one another.
The feast of the Holy Family (First Sunday
after Christmas) is a reminder of the many
different ways to be family and the
importance of growing together in love,
respect, and compassion.

Work Together
Create a Christmas wreath that symbolizes
different kinds of families. Use the materials in your craft basket along with
your imagination. Involve everyone in the project!

Pray Together
Make a Christmas prayer card to share with the rest of the Gather In My
Name participants as well as the entire parish. Write a simple prayer on the
front of the card and decorate it. Leave the inside of the card blank so that
other participants can add their petitions later in the event. Fold the card
into a standing position.

Share Together
Choose someone from your table to read the description of your table theme
and to tell about your wreath to the rest of the group. Pick others to read
the Scripture passage and table prayer during the closing.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #5E

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Prayers for Peace

Read Together
Peace on earth, goodwill to all This
familiar wish is printed on Christmas
cards and included in the verses of
carols. It reflects a yearning for peace
throughout the world and our hope in
the Kingdom of God that Jesus came to
proclaim. The Solemnity of Mary, Mother
of God, coincides with the World Day of
Peace. Both take place on January 1st.
What better way to begin a new calendar
year than by praying for peace
throughout the world? And who better to
turn to for her prayers than Mary,
mother of the Prince of Peace?

Work Together
Create a Christmas wreath that symbolizes peace. Use the materials in
your craft basket along with your imagination. Involve everyone in the
project!

Pray Together
Make a Christmas prayer card to share with the rest of the Gather In My
Name participants as well as the entire parish. Write a simple prayer on the
front of the card and decorate it. Leave the inside of the card blank so that
other participants can add their petitions later in the event. Fold the card
into a standing position.

Share Together
Choose someone from your table to read the description of your table theme
and to tell about your wreath to the rest of the group. Pick others to read
the Scripture passage and table prayer during the closing.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #5F

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

God-with-Us
Read Together
In the account of the Epiphany, a star
leads seekers from far away to the place
where Jesus has been born. The wise
men in the story represent all the people
of the earth, a symbol that Jesus has
come to proclaim the Good News
throughout the world. No one is left out
and all are welcome to rejoice in the
joyous news of God-with-us through the
birth of Jesus Christ.
The feast of the Epiphany (Second Sunday after Christmas) is an
opportunity to look at the ordinary with new eyes, to see the face of Christ
in others, and to appreciate how God is present to us each day.

Work Together
Create a Christmas wreath that symbolizes that God is with us each day .
Use the materials in your craft basket along with your imagination. Involve
everyone in the project!

Pray Together
Make a Christmas prayer card to share with the rest of the Gather In My
Name participants as well as the entire parish. Write a simple prayer on the
front of the card and decorate it. Leave the inside of the card blank so that
other participants can add their petitions later in the event. Fold the card
into a standing position.

Share Together
Choose someone from your table to read the description of your table theme
and to tell about your wreath to the rest of the group. Pick others to read
the Scripture passage and table prayer during the closing.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #6A

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Prayer Cards

Write a Prayer

Our prayer of joy for the coming of Jesus into the world.
The virgin shall be with child and give birth to a son and they shall call
him Emmanuel, a name which means God is with us. ~ Matthew 1:23

The Birth of Jesus

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Our Special Intentions

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Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #6B

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Prayer Cards

Write a Prayer

Our prayer for those who are poor.

Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly
entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2

Care of the Poor

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Our Special Intentions

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Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #6C

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Prayer Cards

Write a Prayer

Our prayer for the children of the world.

While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave
birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him
in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. ~ Luke 2:6-7

The Children of the World

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Our Special Intentions

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Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

FOLD

Handout #6D

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Prayer Cards

Write a Prayer

Our prayer for families.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one
another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must
you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the
peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one
body. ~ Colossians 3:12-14

The Holy Family

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Our Special Intentions

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Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #6E

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Prayer Cards

Write a Prayer

Our prayer for peace.

For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion
rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever,
Prince of Peace. ~ Isaiah 9:5

Prayers for Peace

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Our Special Intentions

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Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #6F

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Prayer Cards

Write a Prayer

Our prayer for an awareness of Gods presence.

They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw
the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him
homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. ~ Matthew 2:10-11

God-with-Us

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Our Special Intentions

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Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #7

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

A Circle of Christmas Prayer

Opening

Leader:

All:

Glory to God in the highest.

And peace to Gods people on earth.

Prayer response after the placement of wreaths:

Leader:

All:

Glory to God in the highest.

And peace to Gods people on earth.

Closing Prayer

Leader: Lord

Jesus,
You came to bring us the greatest gift of all the gift
of yourself.
Thank you for gathering us together in your holy name.
As we move away from this space, we leave our Christmas
wreath as a sign of our faith.
Show us how to share our gift of love with others throughout
this Christmas season and into the months that follow.

Candle Group(s): Let your light shine in us.

Angel Group(s): Deepen

Bell Group(s): Keep

Dove Group(s): Fill

Star Group(s): Deepen

Leader:

All:

our compassion for the poor and those who suffer.

our love for you pure and joyful.

us with a passion for justice and a spirit of peace

our compassion for the poor and those who suffer.

We pray all of this in your holy name.

Amen.

Closing Song Joy to the World

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #8

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Evaluation
Thank you for attending Gather in My Name.
Please take a moment to share your thoughts with members of the
planning team. If participating with other members of your household,
you might want to fill in your answers together.

One thing I/we learned about the season of Christmas by attending

this event is is

I/we would like to know more about

A question I/we have about the Christmas season is
One way I/we will try to celebrate the season of Christmas is by
Something I/we would like our parish to offer in future gatherings is
Additional comments
Return this form to your planning team.
Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.
Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #9

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Gather in My Name

I learned
Christmas that
cele
the birth o brates
f Jesus.
learned
My family
season of
about the
.
Christmas
h.
t our paris
a
e
r
a
e
w
Here

I learned
celebrate how I can
th
season w e Christmas
it
and peop h my family
le in my
parish.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Celebrating the
Season of Christmas

Feasts of the
Christmas Season

The Birth of Jesus

the season of Christmas is one of
the most sacred times of the Church
year because it celebrates the wonder
of Jesus birth and the nearness of
Gods love. Each day calls upon us to
rejoice in the mystery of the
Incarnation, the coming of the Word
made flesh to us. In the northern
hemisphere, the Christmas season is

Nativity of the Lord

December 25

St. Stephen, Deacon and

Martyr December 26

St. John the Evangelist

December 27

Holy Innocents

Christmas is both a feast day and a

a celebration of light at the darkest

December 28

liturgical season. It begins with the

time of the year. The light [which]

Holy Family

evening celebration of Mass on

shines in the darkness (John 1:5) is

Christmas Eve and ends with the

the true light that illuminates our

Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on

lives every day of the Christmas

the Sunday after Epiphany. While

season and throughout the year.

short lasting a little over two weeks

Jesus is truly light for all people.

Feast of St. John the Evangelist

(December 27)

First Sunday after Christmas

Epiphany Second Sunday

after Christmas

Baptism of the Lord

Sunday after Epiphany

Prayer for the

Solemnity of Mary,
Mother of God
Father, source of light in
every age,
the virgin conceived and bore
your Son
Who is called Wonderful God,
Prince of Peace.
May her prayer,
the gift of a mother's love,
be your people's joy through
all ages.
May her response,
born of a humble heart,
draw your Spirit to rest on
your people.
Grant this through Christ
our Lord.

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #10

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc. Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #11A

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc. Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #11B

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc. Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #11C

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc. Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #11D

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc. Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #11E

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Sadlier A division of William H. Sadlier, Inc. Copyright by William H. Sadlier, Inc. Permission to duplicate parish quantities granted to users of We Believe.

Handout #11F

Celebrating the Season of Christmas

Celebrating the Season of Christmas