November 20, 2009








Gather in the Garden



Objectives:
  • To understand the meaning of Epiphany as a manifestation of God in our midst through the person of Jesus Christ.
  • To learn the different manifestations that are represented in the accounts of Christmas, the visit of the magi to the Christ child, the Baptism of the Lord, and the wedding feast at Cana, and how these relate to the threefold mission of Christ.
  • To recognize Epiphany as a special time to support the work of the missions and to name a specific way to bring this supportive response into action.
Faith Response:
Participants will be able to explain the meaning of the word epiphany and how it applies to the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God.

Source Material:
  • We Believe, Grade 4, Chapter 14
Additional Source Materials:
  • From a Monastery Kitchen, Brother Victor-Antoine d'Avila-Latourrette, Harper San Francisco, 1989
  • United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Web site, www.usccb.org
  • Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1989
Format:
A full, multigenerational event: 60–90 minutes with the optional inclusion of a meal

Background for Leaders and Adults:
The celebration of Epiphany was originally the feast of Christmas. In many cultures today this is when gift giving takes place. Decorations are not taken down until this feast is over.

At Epiphany the Church celebrates the manifestation of the Son of God as the Savior and Messiah. The adoration of the Christ child by magi from the East represents the welcoming of the Good News of salvation by all nations. All who seek, as the magi, did "the messianic light of the star of David" will receive from the Jews "the messianic promise as contained in the Old Testament" (CCC, 528).

As he was manifested to the magi, the Son of God was also manifested to the world at his Baptism. The Holy Spirit came upon him and a voice from heaven proclaimed him "my beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17).

At the third of his epiphanies, Jesus Christ was manifested as the Son of God at the wedding feast at Cana. Transforming water into the choicest wine, Jesus "revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him" (John 2:11).
Epiphany



(go to printable file)

Session Steps Presentation Materials
Meal (optional)










General Preparation
  • Decide on the elements of a meal to be shared prior to or after the session.
  • Recruit volunteers to prepare and serve meal.
  • Issue invitations to households to bring food items or dishes for the meal.
  • Set up large room with tables to seat eight to ten people (two to three households per table).
  • Set copies of the meal blessing and opening prayer, one for each person, on the tables.
  • Set copies of A Gift for Jesus, one for each person, on each table along with pens or pencils.
  • Place an empty gift-sized box and a large sheet of butcher paper on each table.
  • Set a prayer table with a white cloth, a Bible, and a candle.
  • Prepare supply baskets for activities.


  • Find three people to proclaim the readings for the opening prayer.


  • Gather percussion instruments for younger children to play during the opening prayer.


  • Ask junior or senior high students to help with opening prayer (optional).
  • Gather "hidden items" to help with the explanation of epiphany.



  • Make copies of handout #5: one set per table and an extra set as a presentation help.
  • Decide on follow-up process for unwrapping the table gifts.
  • Hang a string or wire from which to suspend household stars.
  • Make copies of handout #7 and cut into prayer cards, one per household.
  • Put each prayer card in a small bag along with a piece of chalk, one bag per household.
  • Determine how and when to use the evaluation forms and children's activity sheets.
  • Determine whether to take pictures for later use on Web sites.
  • Find one person to proclaim the reading for the closing prayer.
  • Set up a CD player for the prayer services.
  • copies of bread recipe (handout #1)










  • copies of meal blessing and opening prayer (handouts #2 and #4)
  • copies of A Gift for Jesus (handout #3)


  • empty gift boxes
  • large sheets of butcher paper


  • prayer table materials: white cloth, Bible, candle
  • supply-basket materials: markers, scissors, pencils, string, cellophane tape, ribbon
  • copies of opening prayer (handout #4)
  • copies of readings (handout #11 A–C)
  • percussion instruments







  • flashlight
  • "hidden items": paper bag containing candy canes; sealed envelope containing party invitation and loose glitter
  • handout #5 (one set per table)





  • string or wire across the prayer space


  • copies of handout #7




  • small bags
  • pieces of chalk


  • copies of evaluation forms (handout #8)
  • copies of children's activity sheets (handout #9)
  • copies of permission forms




  • copy of reading (handout #11D)
  • CD player and Grade 4 We Believe CD
We Gather
  • Opening Activity





  • Session Overview





  • Celebrating Epiphany
  • Explain the icebreaker activity, A Gift for Jesus.
  • Invite some of the tables to share their responses.
  • Share overview of this session.
  • Add announcements.
  • Introduce greeting by the pastor (optional).
  • Lead the group in the opening prayer.
  • Distribute the percussion instruments and invite the younger children to come forward.
We Believe
  • Three Manifestations of Jesus
  • Offer an explanation of the word epiphany using the flashlight and hidden items.
  • Explain each of the manifestations that are part of the celebration of Epiphany.
  • Explain the activity and the use of handout #5 in "showing" Jesus to others.
  • Explain the gift-wrapping activity and describe how these gifts will be unwrapped over the next several weeks.
  • Point out the gift tag that is part of handout #5 and explain how to fill it out.
  • flashlight
  • hidden items





  • copies of handout #5



  • supply baskets
  • empty gift boxes
  • large sheets of butcher paper
We Respond
  • Epiphany and the Missions















  • Wrap-up













  • Spreading the Light of Christ

  • Review the meaning of epiphany.
  • Explain the connection between the celebration of Epiphany and support of the missions.
  • Explain the threefold mission of Jesus and the link with the work of the missions.
  • Emphasize the role each of us plays in supporting the missions.
  • Explain the activity, Supporting the Missions.


  • Show where and how to hang the household stars.
  • Lead the group in an evaluation of the session.
  • Distribute copies of resource sheet and recipe.
  • Explain follow-up activities planned for the parish.


  • Invite the group to join in the closing prayer.
  • Remind table groups about reading their prayer.
  • Lead the group in the closing prayer.


  • Distribute bags containing household blessings and pieces of chalk.






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