Introduce → Ask the children if they have a
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younger brother or sister. Ask them to describe the excitement when the new baby came home.
Guatemala and Mexico: The Presentation of a Child
→ Use a map to explain where
Guatemala and Mexico are. If you have a child from one of these countries in your class, ask him or her to tell something about the country.
In Guatemala and Mexico, parents bring their new baby to church soon after he or she is born. They want the priest to give their child a special blessing. The parents usually tie a ribbon around the baby’s wrist before they leave the house to keep the baby safe. After the blessing, they remove the ribbon because the baby is now protected by God.
TK
Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the temple soon after he was born too. Jewish people did so to offer their baby to God and to place the baby under God’s loving care. Catholic families in Guatemala and Mexico want to say thank you to God for the gift of their child. They also want to ask God to protect the child from all harm.
→ Tell the class that they are going to
learn how families in Guatemala and Mexico welcome a new child.
The Presentation of a Child, by Brother Michael McGrath, O.S.F.S.
Teach → Invite volunteers to read aloud the
text, or read it to them.
→ Help the children distinguish
In the church ceremony, the priest reads from the Bible. He anoints the baby with oil and gives him or her a blessing. He asks the parents if they will help their baby to love God and teach their child about the Catholic faith. They say, “We will.” If others are present, they welcome the baby to their community.! What could you do to help a small child learn about Jesus and the Church? 89
between this ceremony and the Sacrament of Baptism. Use a Venn diagram of two interlocking circles to help the children brainstorm the similarities and differences in these two sacraments. (Possible distinctions: water poured, the lighted candle, the godparents. Similarities: the welcoming of the child, parents bring their infant, the community may be present.)
→ Remind the children that the 20803_BMDBL_SEG3_U1_088-089.indd 89
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Teaching Tip Using Story Boards. Story boards can help children to apply what they have learned to a life situation, either real or imaginary. Distribute art paper, rulers, and pencils. Invite them to draw three large connected squares on a piece of paper. Invite the children to remember what they have learned about the presentation of a child.. Then tell them to draw three scenes in a story about a family who decides to present their child at the church. Tell them to be sure and draw what happens at the church. Display the story boards around the classroom and give the children time to admire each other’s work.
presentation of a child is not a Sacrament.
Connect → Remind the children that the parish
community has a responsibility to all its members. Ask: “What could you do to welcome a new infant to the Church? What could you do to help a small child grow in faith?”
→ If time allows, complete the activity
described in the box on this page, or use the related handout at BeMyDisciples.com in the Spanish section.
Student page 89 157
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