3 Ways Into Sunday’s Stories for Children: Peace That’s Possible

Second Sunday of Advent

Isaiah’s vision of God’s kin-dom has captured the imagination of millions of people over time. Look up “Peaceable Kingdom” online and you will find many images that represent this vision. Almost all of them include contented animals, who are usually predators and prey to each other, together. And they include a human, often a child, playing safely among them. Children can understand some of the harsh laws of nature between animal species, but it’s harder for them to understand why people treat one another as enemies. Though humans have dreamed of peace for thousands of years. What was it about the human leader Isaiah prophesied that made him believe that peace among all of creation was possible?

Print, fold, read, and color the story booklet.

1. Sing and Dance

Sing and dance along with Talk to the Animals like a bird, or bear, or bunny. And imagine what it would be like if all people and animals could truly understand one another.

2. Play and Pray

Play Animal Charades. Pair up or play in a group. One person at a time acts out an animal (without sounds) while the others guess. Take turns. Challenge: Act out or imitate a person you all know. Sometimes when we imagine or imitate someone, we understand them better.  

Pray: Dear God, who is the source of our peace and joy, help us be peacemakers, each in our own way. Let us remember we have the power to create and lead in peaceful ways. Amen.

3. Create

Create a picture with your vision of what a fair, just, and peaceful kin-dom would look like. Cut out and glue pictures from magazines to make a collage, draw, use stickers, or print images from the internet. Or make a Christmas card with your creation. You could write, “Peace on Earth!”