January often feels like a fresh page: a new year, a new term and a chance for new beginnings. Many families use this time to think about hopes for the year ahead – perhaps to grow in kindness, gratitude or faith.
Through our January resources, children will be reminded that God is with them at the start of this new year, and that Jesus is the light that guides them each day. This newsletter shares some of the content children will experience in school throughout January, and suggests ways for you to engage with them about it. We hope it is a useful resource for your family prayer time.
BOLD STATEMENT
In the week beginning 12th January, the assembly points to the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Performed as a short Gospel drama, children will hear of Jesus’ Baptism in the River Jordan, where God the Father declared from Heaven that Jesus is His beloved Son. Through this, children will understand that Jesus’ Baptism was a bold statement about who He is – God’s Son – and that God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit were all present at this significant event. Children are given the opportunity to reflect on how the sacrament of Baptism welcomes people into God’s family and invites them to make a bold statement for God in their own lives, knowing that they too are God’s beloved child. With your child/ren, you may also like to…
- Look at photos or keepsakes from your child’s Baptism, and talk about what it means to be “God’s beloved child”.
- Encourage your child to make a simple “bold statement for God”, e.g. “Today I will include someone who is left out.”
- Trace a small cross on your child’s forehead at bedtime and quietly say, “You are God’s beloved child”.
BORN TO FISH, CALLED TO FOLLOW
In the week beginning 26th January, the assembly focuses on the calling of the first disciples (Matthew 4:12-23), who left their boats immediately when Jesus said, “Follow me.” A quickfire quiz highlights why the disciples were able to say such a confident “yes” to Jesus. Children will be invited to think about their own gifts and talents, and how Jesus calls them to use these for good. Through simple prayer actions, children will be given time to reflect on listening to Jesus’ voice and trusting Him with their “yes”. With your child/ren, you may also like to…
- Talk about your family’s gifts and how each person can use them to help others at home, school or in the parish.
- Choose one simple “yes to Jesus” action your family can take this week, for example, visiting someone who is lonely or making extra time to pray together.
JESUS IS THE LIGHT
Throughout January, the daily classroom prayers will allow children to reflect on Jesus, the Light of the World. In the first week, they will pray with words from the Gospel of John and from St John Henry Newman, asking Jesus to be the true light of life, who lights their path. Children will be encouraged to shine Jesus’ light by helping others to see His love, kindness and goodness through what they say and do. You might like to use this prayer as a family at home:
Jesus, You are the true light. The light of life, The light on my path, The light of glory! May your light shine brightly through my words and actions each day. Amen
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