Here is the Guided Reflection I wrote for yesterday’s session. It is a meditation on the name Emmanuel – God with us – and invites the children to focus on where in their lives they most need God to be with them.
Take a moment to get comfortable.
Imagine that whatever you’re sitting on…the floor, a chair, a desk…is the hand of God. You’re in a very safe place.
Take a few deep breaths. In…hold it…out. In…hold it…out. Do that a few times on your own. Feel your heart slow down. Feel yourself relax.
Now we’re ready to spend some time with Jesus.
During Advent, we sing, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Emmanuel is a name that means, “God with us.”
When we are sad or frightened, none of us wants to be alone. We want someone to be with us to give us strength, courage, and hope.
During Advent, we pray in a special way for God to be with us. Knowing that God will be with us gives us strength, courage, and hope to face the future, especially if our present is sad or frightening and if our future seems hopeless.
Take a moment to thank Jesus – Emmanuel – for being with us, for being with you.
Tell Jesus about anything in your life that is making you feel alone, sad, frightened, or confused.
Listen to Jesus as he tells you that he is with you and that you don’t need to be afraid.
Ask Jesus for the courage, strength, and hope to face the present and the future, knowing that you’re not alone.
Tell Jesus where you need him most in your life now and in the future.
Listen to what Jesus has to say to you.
In the song, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel! We sing: “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you O Israel!”
And today, we can say, “Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you -N- (say the names of the children in your class)
Joe–this is lovely–I can’t wait to use it with my eighth graders–we’ll do it in almost dark with the Advent candles our only light–they do get into “atmosphere.” Thank you so much!
Karen, thanks for your kind words and I’m glad you plan to use the meditation with your 8th graders. I hope it goes well for you.
Thanks for this, Joe! I used it last night with our RCIA kids (only two of them came to class– really threw off my lesson plan!), and they really, really enjoyed it.
How nice! Funny how too few or too many kids can throw us off, eh?
Joe:
This is a lovely meditation–wish I had found it in time for my catechist meeting. However, with your permission, I’d like to try and modify it for my 1st Penance Retreat next month. Do you have any other resources for 1st Penance Retreats to which you could point me?
I also want to say how much I enjoyed your presentations at the EDRE conference in Avalon, NJ, at the end of September.
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and that you have a blessed New Year.
Jen Frye
Thanks so much Jen. Be sure to print it out and save it for next Advent! I’ll keep my eyes open for any 1st Penance Retreat resources. I had a great time at EPDRE as well! Great group of people. Have a blessed New Year!
Thanks for sharing this! I will be using it in a mini retreat with local DRE s.
We all need the quiet reflection time that is so important,especially during our busiest times. Thanks for being so generous!!
You’re welcome, Tina. I hope the DREs will enjoy it!