John Paul II’s Letter to Children before Christmas

On December 13, 1994, Pope John Paul II wrote a special letter to children about the fast-approaching Christmas celebration.

This letter is a wonderful thing to share with your children in these final days of Advent (you can read the entire thing HERE), but since it is a little long for squirmy little ones, here are a few excerpts that I think are particularly poignant:

It is really true: this Child, now just born, once he is grown up, as Teacher of divine Truth, will show an extraordinary love for children. He will say to the Apostles: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them”, and he will add: “for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Mk 10:14). Another time, as the Apostles are arguing about who is the greatest, he will put a child in front of them and say: “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3). On that occasion, he also spoke harsh words of warning: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Mt 18:6)…

How important children are in the eyes of Jesus! We could even say that the Gospel is full of the truth about children. The whole of the Gospel could actually be read as the “Gospel of children”.

Dear friends, there is no doubt that an unforgettable meeting with Jesus is First Holy Communion, a day to be remembered as one of life’s most beautiful. The Eucharist, instituted by Christ at the Last Supper, on the night before his Passion, is a Sacrament of the New Covenant, rather, the greatest of the Sacraments. In this Sacrament, the Lord becomes food for the soul under the appearances of bread and wine. Children receive this Sacrament solemnly the first time in First Holy Communion and are encouraged to receive it afterwards as often as possible in order to remain in close friendship with Jesus.

For how many children in the history of the Church has the Eucharist been a source of spiritual strength, sometimes even heroic strength! How can we fail to be reminded, for example, of holy boys and girls who lived in the first centuries and are still known and venerated throughout the Church? Saint Agnes, who lived in Rome; Saint Agatha, who was martyred in Sicily; Saint Tarcisius, a boy who is rightly called the “martyr of the Eucharist” because he preferred to die rather than give up Jesus, whom he was carrying under the appearance of bread.

And so down the centuries, up to our own times, there are many boys and girls among those declared by the Church to be saints or blessed. Just as Jesus in the Gospel shows special trust in children, so his Mother Mary, in the course of history, has not failed to show her motherly care for the little ones. Think of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, the children of La Salette, and, in our own century Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta of Fatima.

Jesus and his Mother often choose children and give them important tasks for the life of the Church and of humanity. I have named only a few who are known everywhere, but how many others there are who are less widely known! The Redeemer of humanity seems to share with them his concern for others: for parents, for other boys and girls. He eagerly awaits their prayers. What enormous power the prayer of children has! This becomes a model for grown-ups themselves: praying with simple and complete trust means praying as children pray.

God loves you, dear children! This is what I want to tell you at the end of the Year of the Family and on the occasion of these Christmas feast days, which in a special way are your feast days.

We hope that this is an encouraging letter from Pope John Paul II!

If you are looking for ways to keep kids entertained as you finish Christmas preparations, consider downloading a Glory Story about a young Catholic hero!

• Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio (a favorite among Catholic boy!)
• Saint Bernadette
• Blessed Carlo Acutis
• The Children of Fatima
• Blessed Imelda

And don’t forget our coloring downloads–especially our Nativity craft download (perfect for these last few days before Christmas)!