Let’s meet different objects, characters and animals that are part of the Christmas story to help us prepare more for Jesus’ birth. Some of them are the manger, the cow and the donkey and Joseph.
Ages
- Early Years
- Primary Years
- Middle Years
- Secondary Years
Manger
Reflective thought: Mary and Joseph laid baby Jesus in a manger which is a feeding trough for stabled animals. A manager was used as his crib. That manager can be our hearts no wonder angel Gabriel told Mary to name her baby Immanuel which means God is with us. He wants to be born and live in our hearts if we let him in.
In the manger, usually, there was food, Jesus became our food. He nourishes us every time we receive the Holy Eucharist.
Prayer: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray:
Dear Mary and Joseph, I want to offer to you the best and warmest corner of my heart for a manager for Jesus. We thank Jesus for all the times you came to us in the Holy Eucharist, may we be granted the grace to receive you also this Christmas. Amen.
Ending Song – Early and Primary
Ending Song – Middle and Secondary
Il-Maxtura
Riflessjoni: Marija u Ġużeppi poġġew lil Ġesù tarbija f’maxtura li propjament kienet ħawt tal-ikel għall-annimali li kienu fl-istalla. Il-maxtura serviet bħala benniena għal Ġesù. Il-qalb tagħna tista’ wkoll sservi bħala benniena għal Ġesù. Mhux ta’ b’xejn li l-Anġlu Gabriel qal lil Marija biex issemmi lit-tarbija Immanuel li tfisser Alla magħna għaliex Alla jrid jitwieled u jgħix f’qalbna jekk aħna nħalluh jidħol.
Fil-maxtura, ħafna drabi, kien ikun hemm l-ikel. Ġesù sar l-ikel tagħna fit-Tqarbin. Huwa jsaħħaħna kull darba li nirċievu l-Ewkaristija.
Talba: Fl-isem tal-Missier, tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu nitolbu: Għeżież Marija u Ġużeppi, nixtieq noffrilkom l-aqwa u l-iktar rokna sħuna ta’ qalbi bħala maxtura għal Ġesù. O Ġesù, nirringrazzjawk ta’ kemm drabi ġejt f’qalbna fit-tqarbin. Nitolbuk tagħtina l-grazzja li matul dan il-Milied inkunu nistgħu nirċevuk fl-Ewkaristija. Ammen.
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Bikrin u Primarja
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Medji u Sekondarja
In our crib, we are used to putting the manger between a cow and a donkey. These remind us of what the prophet Isaiah had said that the cow knows its owner and the donkey its Master’s crib but the people do not understand. (Isaiah 1:3) What about us? Do we know our Master? Do we speak to him in our prayers? Are we following the example of the cow and the donkey and spending time next to Our Lord?
Prayer: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray: Dear God, while we bring the cow and the donkey to our crib we ask you to help us, love, obey you, serve others with love and spend more of our time next to you in the eucharist. Amen
Ending Song – Early and Primary
Ending Song – Middle and Secondary
The Star (2017) – The Nativity Scene (10/10) | Movie clips
Il-Baqra u l-Ħmara
Riflessjoni: Fil-presepji tagħna aħna normalment inpoġġu l-baqra fuq naħa tal-maxtura u l-ħmar fuq in-naħa l-oħra. Dan ifakkarna f’dak li kien qal il-profeta Isaija li l-baqra tagħraf lil sidha u l-ħmar jaf il-maxtura ta’ sidu; imma n-nies ma jifhmux. (Iżaija 1:3) U aħna? Nagħrfuh is-sid tagħna u nitkellmu miegħu fit-talb tagħna? Qegħdin insegwu l-eżempju tal-baqra u l-ħmar u naraw li nqattgħu xi ħin ħdejn is-Sid tagħna?
Talba: Fl-isem tal-Missier, tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu nitolbu: Għażiż Alla, waqt li qed inpoġġu l-baqra u l-ħmara fil-presepju tagħna nitolbuk sabiex tgħinna nħobbu aktar kif tħobbna int, nobduk u nservu lill-oħrajn u nqattgħu aktar ħin ħdejk fl-Ewkaristija. Ammen.
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Bikrin u Primarja
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Medji u Sekondarja
The Star (2017) – The Nativity Scene (10/10) | Movie clips
Reflection thought: Starlight, star bright, guide us to the perfect light. Everyone including the shepherds and the wise man got to know where baby Jesus was because of the shining star. We are called to be like that star and lead others who are searching in the dark to the hope, peace, joy, and love Christmas brings in our hearts.?
Prayer: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray: Dear God, while we bring the cow and the donkey to our crib we ask you to help us, love, obey Dear Jesus, may we welcome you in our hearts and follow your light always. May we all be like the star of Bethlehem and show others the way to you because only you can fill our hearts with everlasting happiness and real love, hope and peace. Amen
Ending Song – Early and Primary
Ending Song – Middle and Secondary
L-istilla
Riflessjoni: Stilla kollok dija, mexxina lejn id-dawl li jdawwal lil ħajjitna. Meta twieled Ġesù, ir-ragħajja, is-slaten u kulħadd sar jaf fejn hu Ġesù permezz ta’ stilla li kienet qed tiddi. Aħna kollha nistgħu nkunu bħal dik l-istilla ta’ Betlehem li nuru lill-oħrajn li qegħdin fid-dlam fejn jistgħu jsibu t-tama, il-paċi, il-ferħ u l-imħabba vera li t-twelid ta’ Ġesù jġib f’qalbna.
Talba: Fl-isem tal-Missier, tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu nitolbu: Għażiż Ġesù, agħtina l-grazzja li nilqgħuk f’qalbna u nimxu dejjem wara d-dawl tiegħek. Jalla aħna kollha nkunu bħall-istilla ta’ Betlehem u nuru lil kulħadd kif jiskopri l-ferħ veru u l-imħabba bla qies, it-tama u l-paċi li taf tagħti inti biss. Ammen.
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Bikrin u Primarja
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Medji u Sekondarja
Reflective Thought: On that special night, the angel came from up above to show us God’s love. That Christmas angel still comes today to bless us each day. He comes to fill our hearts with warmth, peace, and love. He is telling us wherever we are not to be afraid because Jesus brings peace to all. Peace in our hearts and in our lives. We need to quiet ourselves to listen to the angles like family members, teachers, friends, and others around us deliver to us. The good news is that The Prince of Peace – Our Saviour is born in our hearts to lead us to real happiness in life.
Prayer: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray: We thank you dear God for sending us your angels to tell us about you and your love for us. We pray that we listen to the angels you send us in our lives and let the birth of Jesus Christ fill our hearts with peace. Amen
Ending Song – Early and Primary
Ending Song – Middle and Secondary
Fil-lejla speċjali tal-Milied l-anġlu niżel mis-sema biex jurina kemm iħobbna Alla. Dak l-anġlu tal-Milied għadu jiġi llum ukoll biex iberikna u jieħu ħsiebna ta’ kuljum. Huwa jiġi sabiex jimla l-qlub tagħna bil-paċi, il-ferħ u l-imħabba. Aħna fejn aħna, qiegħed jgħidilna biex ma nibżgħux għaliex it-twelid ta’ Ġesù hija aħbar li timliena bit-tama u l-paċi – paċi fil-qlub u fil-ħajja tagħna. Jeħtieġ, iżda, li nieqfu ftit fis-skiet u nsikktu lilna nfusna biex nisimgħu l-anġli ta’ madwarna, fosthom membri tal-familja, għalliema, saċerdoti, ħbieb u oħrajn li qed iwasslulna din l-Aħbar sabiħa li Ġesù ġie biex isalvana u jurina t-triq għall-veru ferħ.
Talba: Fl-isem tal-Missier, tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu nitolbu: – Nirringrazzjawk, O Alla, tal-anġli li tibgħatilna fil-ħajja tagħna biex iwasslulna l-Aħbar it-Tajba u jgħallmuna dwarek u dwar kemm tħobbna. Nitolbuk tagħtina l-grazzja li nisimgħu lil dawn l-anġli li inti tibgħatilna fil-ħajja tagħna u nħallu t-twelid ta’ Ġesù jimla lil qlubna bil-paċi. Ammen.
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Bikrin u Primarja
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Medji u Sekondarja
Reflective thought: We cannot miss the shepherds in our nativity set because it was them who got to know first about the birth of Jesus and were among the first to worship him. The angel of the Lord appeared to these poor commoners to the rich or to the kings or queens. These men and women shepherds were considered an outcast of the society because they used to spend their days in the fields, they could not attend the synagogue and so they were considered as sinners, pagans and unclean. God wanted to show us that Jesus wants to be close to everyone including those among us and around us who are left alone, looked upon and avoided.
Prayer: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray: – The shepherds travelled quickly to the manager to worship Jesus. Dear God, we ask you to give us the necessary courage so that we too may be eager to leave all our daily tasks and find the time to bow our heads in prayer, praising Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Amen.
Ending Song – Early and Primary
Ending Song – Middle and Secondary
Ħsieb Riflessiv: Ma jistax ikollna presepju mingħajr ragħajja għaliex dawn kienu fost l-ewwel li semgħu l-Aħbar tat-Twelid ta’ Ġesù u marru jqimuh. L-anġlu deher lil dawn in-nies li kienu foqra, mhux lis-sinjuri jew lis-slaten. Dawn l-irġiel u n-nisa li kienu ragħajja kienu mwarrba. Kienu jħarsu lejhom bħala nies midinbin, pagani u maħmuġin għaliex minħabba x-xogħol tagħhom ma setgħux imorru s-sinagoga. Alla ried jurina li Ġesù jrid ikun viċin ta’ kulħadd. Għalhekk, jekk hawn xi ħadd minna jew nafu b’xi ħadd li jħossu mwarrab u inqas mill-oħrajn, Ġesù huwa viċin tiegħu jew tagħha wkoll għaliex hu ġie speċjalment sabiex ikun viċin tal-batuti, il-fqar, l-imwarbin u l-midinbin.
Talba: Fl-isem tal-Missier, tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu nitolbu: – Hekk kif dehrilhom l-anġlu, ir-ragħajja malajr telqu lejn il-grotta sabiex iqimu lil Ġesù. O Alla, nitolbuk biex timliena bil-ħeġġa u bil-kuraġġ sabiex aħna lkoll insibu ħin kuljum u nitilqu dak li jkollna nagħmlu biex b’ħeġġa mmorru nbaxxu rasna fit-talb u nfaħħru lil Ġesù fl-Ewkaristija Mqaddsa. Ammen.
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Bikrin u Primarja
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Medji u Sekondarja
Vidjow Riflessiv
Reflective Thought: Tradition tells us that three kings followed a star which showed them where Jesus was. Their journey was not easy, and they were going to be tricked also by King Herold who planned to get rid of Jesus because he wanted to be the one and only king. They also got with them three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Imagine if the magi had to come to my home-my heart, my life, my choices, and my actions. Do they find Jesus there?
Prayer: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray: – Dear Jesus, we pray that you will help us to always follow your light especially when we find ourselves lost in the darkness of egoism, selfishness, injustice, and hatred. Fix our eyes and our hearts on your light so that we too can light the way to all of those who walk in the dark. Amen
Song – Early and Primary
Song – Middle and Secondary
Ħsieb Riflessiv: It-tradizzjoni tgħidlna li tliet slaten imxew wara stilla li wriethom fejn kien Ġesù. Il-vjaġġ tagħhom ma kienx faċli u r-re Erodi pprova wkoll jidħak bihom għaliex kien qed jippjana li jeħles minn Ġesù għax beżà li Ġesù jsir sultan minfloku. Dawn l-għorrief ħadu magħhom tliet rigali: deheb, inċens u mirra. Ejja nieqfu ftit u nimmaġinaw li kieku dawn it-tliet slaten kellhom jiġu fid-dar tiegħi – f’qalbi, f’ħajti. Fid-deċiżjonijiet u l-azzjonijiet tiegħi jsibu lil Ġesù hemm?
Talba: Fl-isem tal-Missier, tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu nitolbu: Għażiż Ġesù, nitolbuk tgħinna nsewgu dejjem id-dawl tiegħek speċjalment meta nsibu ruħna mitlufin fid-dlam tal-egoiżmu, l-għira, is-suppervja, l-inġustizzja u l-mibegħda. Ħalli d-dawl tiegħek imexxi l-ħarsa ta’ għajnejna u qlubna sabiex aħna wkoll inkunu nistgħu indawlu t-triq għal dawk kollha li jinsabu fid-dlam. Ammen.
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Bikrin u Primarja
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Medji u Sekondarja
Vidjow Riflessiv
Reflective thought: Nowhere in the scriptures, we read that St Joseph held any long speeches. His actions spoke louder than words. He was a humble man. He respected and followed God’s commandments and in return, God helped him to provide for and save his family. He loved his family and was a loving stepfather to Jesus.
Prayer: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray: Dear St Joseph, you protected your family when they were in danger. Please help all those who take care of us to guide us away from everything that can hurt our feelings, our body, and our soul. We ask you to teach us to listen to the voice of God in our lives and to always welcome His love into our hearts. Amen
Song – Early and Primary
Song – Middle and Secondary
Ħsieb Riflessiv: Imkien fil-Bibbja ma naqraw li San Ġużepp kien jitkellem ħafna iżda fis-skiet tiegħu kien jitkellem ħafna permezz ta’ dak li kien jagħmel. Kien bniedem umli. Għaliex kien dejjem lest li jirrispetta u jobdi lil Alla, Alla għenu biex ikun jista’ jipprovdi għall-familja tiegħu u jsalvaha. Huwa kien iħobb ħafna lill-familja tiegħu u kien il- missier tar-rispett ta’ Ġesù.
Talba: Fl-isem tal-Missier, tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu nitolbu: Għażiż Misierna San Ġużepp, inti pproteġejt lill-familja tiegħek meta kienu fil-periklu. Nitolbuk sabiex tgħin lil dawk kollha li jieħdu ħsiebna biex jipproteġuna minn dak kollu li jista’ jweġġa’ s-sentimenti tagħna, il-ġsiem tagħna u r-ruħ tagħna. Għallimna nisimgħu l-leħen ta’ Alla f’ħajjitna u nġorru l-imħabba tiegħu f’qalbna. Ammen.
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Bikrin u Primarja
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Medji u Sekondarja
Reflective Thought: Mary is the perfect example of all of us. She never ceased to praise God with her words and with her daily actions. She never thought that God had greater plans for her than just being a housewife and a mum. She was not rich as a queen or wise as a judge, she was just Mary and that is how our God sees us as Mary, Cheryl, Jayden (mention real names of children in your school). Like Mary, we are called to believe that God has great things for us however we need to trust and obey him even when we cannot understand or when we feel scared in doing what is right. She shows us that our God will never abandon us.
Prayer: In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray: Dear Mary, we ask you to help us become more like you we honour you; Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with you, Blessed are you amongst women and blessed is the fruit of your womb – Jesus. Holy Mary mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen
Ending Song – Early and Primary
Reflective Video
Ending Song – Middle and Secondary
Ħsieb Riflessiv: Marija hija l-eżempju perfett għalina lkoll. Dejjem kienet tfaħħar u tirringrazzja lil Alla mhux biss bil-kliem imma wkoll bl-azzjonijiet tagħha fil-ħajja ta’ kuljum. Qatt ma mmaġinat li Alla kellu tant affarijiet kbar ippjanati għaliha. Ried li tkun aktar minn omm u mara tad-dar kif ħasbet hi. Ma kinitx xi sinjura jew mimlija poter bħal xi reġina. Kienet biss Marija u b’dan il-mod jarana u jafna Alla tagħna – bħala Marija, Cheryl, Jayden (semmi ismijiet reali tat-tfal fl-iskola tiegħek). Bħal Marija, aħna għandna stedina biex nemmnu li Alla għandu affarijiet kbar għalina, dejjem jekk aħna nafdawh u nobduh, anke meta ma nifhmux jew inħossuna nibżgħu nagħmlu dak li hu sewwa. Hi turina li Alla tagħna qatt ma jitlaqna weħidna.
Talba: Fl-isem tal-Missier, tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu nitolbu: Għaziża Marija, nitolbuk biex tgħinna nsiru aktar bħalek, waqt li nqimuk, ngħidulek: Sliem għalik Marija, bil-grazzja mimlija, il-Mulej miegħek. Imbierka inti fost in-nisa u mbierek il-frott tal-ġuf tiegħek – Ġesù. Qaddisa Marija, omm Alla, itlob għalina midinbin issa u fis-siegħa tal-mewt tagħna. Ammen.
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Bikrin u Primarja
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Medji u Sekondarja
Vidjow Riflessiv
Reflective thought: What would a crib be without baby Jesus? Sometimes a crib without baby Jesus would be our world. Our world and we have everything but miss on what is important. Everything we try to replace baby Jesus with never seems to last. We might try to replace baby Jesus with parties and cakes, presents or festive clothes. Nothing lasts forever. Only Jesus and his love for us lasts forever and makes Christmas an unforgettable experience every year. So, if we might get tempted to leave Baby Jesus out or replace him, we are to remind ourselves and each other to place him not only in the crib but most importantly in our lives.
Prayer:
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit we pray: Dear God, today we pray that all the people of the world will open and be thankful for the greatest gift – Jesus. Please help us to remind ourselves and one another that Jesus is the only reason for all our celebrations. Amen
Ending Song: Early and Primary years
Ending Song Middle and Secondary years
Ħsieb Riflessiv: Xi jkun jiswa presepju mingħajr Ġesù tarbija? Kultant, presepju mingħajr Ġesù jkun bħad-dinja li ngħixu fiha. Għandna minn kollox imma nitilfu jew inwarrbu dak li hu verament importanti. Ejjew nindunaw li meta fil-Milied, minflok nagħtu importanza lil Ġesù Bambin, nagħtu importanza lir-rigali u l-parties, il-ħwejjeġ u t-tiżjin, dan kollu jispiċċa fix-xejn. Xejn ma jibqa’ għal dejjem u jagħmel il-Milied esperjenza sabiħa sena wara sena, ħlief Ġesù u l-imħabba tiegħu għalina. Għahekk, jekk tiġina t-tentazzjoni li nħallu lil Ġesù Bambin barra jew li ninsewh, ejja nfakkru lilna nfusna u lil xulin biex inpoġġuh mhux biss fil-presepju tagħna imma f’qalbna u f’ħajjitna.
Talba: Fl-isem tal-Missier, tal-Iben u tal-Ispirtu s-Santu nitolbu: O Alla, illum nitolbu biex in-nies tad-dinja kollha jaċċettaw u jifirħu bl-ikbar rigal li qatt jistgħu jirċievu – Ġesù fil-qalb u fil-ħajja tagħhom. Agħmel li ma ninsewx li Ġesù huwa l-uniku raġuni għaliex niċċelebraw u ngħożżu dan iż-żmien sabiħ. Ammen.
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Bikrin u Primarja
Diska tal-għeluq għas-snin Medji u Sekondarja
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