Advent: Sunday Scripture Doodles

One of my favorite ways to meditate with Scripture is to do this:

Scripture doodling. That's what I'm calling it anyways.  It helps me focus, helps me memorize, and helps me treasure God's Word.  I often spend time doodling on Sundays using the Sunday Readings from Mass.  Today, as I sat down to pray, I realized that the first Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new Liturgical Year, is a great time for, well, a new year's resolution.  So I've decided to be a little more intentional about this idea.  I broke out an unused journal, labeled the top of each page with all the coming Sundays this year, and started today.  My goal is to spend time meditating on the Readings for each Sunday for the rest of the year and doodle a selected verse every week.  I'll be documenting the journey each Sunday on Instagram using the hashtag #SundayReadingsScriptureDoodle.  Come follow along, and jump in if you like!

In the meantime, here are four prayer cards for you from the four Sundays of Advent.  Each has a verse from the First Reading of that Sunday with a promise from one of the prophets.  Feel free to print and color them to help you pray and remember the purpose of this Advent.

Almost Advent!

The Solemnity of Christ the King is THIS WEEKEND!  Already!  The end of the Liturgical Year just snuck right up on me, which is exactly what it is not suppose to do. (hello, Sunday readings.) The blow is softened however, because every end also means a new beginning, and this beginning brings Advent.  I LOVE Advent.  The preparing, the waiting, the hope, the peaceful promise.

Here are some ideas for you to use with your kiddos to keep and celebrate the season of Advent:


Looking for music to keep you in the season?  Check out this Advent Song Playlist:

And videos are always a great addition in the classroom:

Printable Advent Candles for an Advent Wreath:

What Advent Looks Like printable:

Wandering Wise Men: 
An alternate activity to Elf on the Shelf, I used the Wise Men from our classroom Nativity to emphasize the waiting and preparing and seeking that is required of us during Advent.  Click on the images to go to the posts with 15 different ideas.

   

Seeking our Savior: An Advent Detective Journey based on Scripture, showing how Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in Christ.  Printable coloring book, Scripture cards, mini craft projects, and a leaders guide.

 Advent Jeopardy Trivia games here and here.

What if they had email?  Youth Group Advent lesson idea putting the Christmas story in a new perspective.

 A Stocking For Jesus: Activities to go along with the book, including some Advent printables.

Nativity Photo Booth, putting all of those Nativity play costumes and props to good use!

Advent Prayer Ring- Great for Youth Groups or Bible Studies:

My Gift- An Epiphany Readers' Theater:

How will you be keeping Advent this year?

What Advent Looks Like

Can you believe it is almost time for Advent?  I'm working on rounding up some great activities to celebrate the season with, but in the meantime, here is a new printable with symbols of the stories of Advent.  Click on the image to take you to the free pdf:

You might also like these posts:
What Lent Looks Like
What Easter Looks Like

Morning and Evening Prayer

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad!" ~Psalm 118:24

The new prayers that my students will be working on next are the Morning Offering and Evening Prayer. Click on either of the images below to print a set of prayer cards for each prayer: 

The cards print four per page and have a front (title, image, scripture verse) and a back (text of prayer).  You can print them two sided or only print the actual prayer, whatever works best for your situation!

Prayer for the Faithful Departed

Today, All Souls Day, we commemorate those who have died.  The best way to remember our loved ones, and all the faithful departed, is to pray for them.  To help my students do that (and in connection to our litany to the Saints last week) I created these prayer cards with the Eternal Rest prayer on one side and a place to list specific people on the back.

We plan to use this prayer card for the rest of the month as November is dedicated to praying for all souls in purgatory.  It would also be a great resource any time of the year to teach about the Spiritual Works of Mercy, or for kids who are experiencing a death and working through grief.  (You may be interested in my post on Helping Kids Grieve.)

Both the images of the Paschal Lamb and the Paschal Candle draw our minds to heaven, to the mercy of the Lamb of God, and to the hope of eternity with Him.

Click on the image below to print your own prayer cards.  It is a two sided printable with four cards per page.

How are you praying with your kids this All Souls Day?