Preparing with the Words of the Prophets

by Jodi-beth McCain, Director of Religious Education and Lower Elementary Catechist

The cross is rising our of the manger. The love from the cross
chases the darkness away.
--A Child's drawing from the Center for Children
and Theology's collection.

During the weeks of Advent when the prayer tables in the school are covered in purple cloths, the children of each class gather weekly to light another candle in the Advent wreath and listen to the words of the prophets. By reflecting together on the striking images and expressions of God’s plan, we prepare together to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

We hear names for the one who would come long after Isaiah spoke the words:

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace

Emmanuel (which means, God with us)

And every year we read these words from Isaiah:

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.  

Drawing from the Center for Children
and Theology's collection.

Since first hearing the words of Isaiah about the bud of Jesse while in Lower Elementary, the members of this year’s graduating class have repeatedly returned to the words in Isaiah 11 (come to the Epiphany Liturgy to hear them proclaimed!):

But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom…

The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him…

He shall judge the poor with justice and decide aright for the land’s afflicted…

Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;

The calf and the young lion shall browse together with a little child to guide them…

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord as water covers the sea.

The prophet Isaiah lived during a time when there was much fear and instability.  There were threats to remove Judah’s weak king, and much uncertainty about how the land would be governed. In response to this darkness, Isaiah speaks the words we now share with the children.

Drawing from the Center for Children and
Theology's collection.

All joyously sing songs of the prophet’s words, and the older children write copies of the prophecies.  The youngest children may share what it feels like to be in the dark and then see light; while reflecting on the prophecy of seeing the light, one four-year-old recently exclaimed, "I think it is the light of God!"  and a six-year-old explained, “Jesus lit the light out of his heart and soul.” The older children share that the darkness could represent “evil” or “sadness” and reflect on how the light represents Jesus. One current lower elementary student responded to the passage about the bud of Jesse by explaining that “it’s really cool” that the animals weren’t following their natural instincts, and then he announced, “by following one child, everything is peace and harmony.” 

How might the words of the prophets help us, the adults in the lives of our precious children:

to prepare to welcome the “little child”?

to rejoice in the light that is stronger than the darkness? 

to rejoice in “God with us”? 

to prepare and work for the time when “everything is peace and harmony”?

Giving thanks for the light of your children.