Celebrating the Ascension with Kids
The Solemnity of the Ascension has the power to really wow kids with the marvelous account of Christ’s last moments, after his Resurrection, before he enters into Heaven.
The mind of a child should be encouraged to embrace the wonder of the day, and it gives you a chance to sit back and ponder just how spectacular the event really is.
Below, you’ll find the story of the Ascension as found in The Catholic Children’s Bible (Good News Translation) with all of the added context and activities to help you and your kids go in-depth as you celebrate this beautiful solemnity!
3For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God. 4And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. 5John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?”
7Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. 8But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea [joo-DEE-uh] and Samaria [suh-MAIR-ee-ah], and to the ends of the earth.” 9After saying this, he was taken up to heaven as they watched him, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10They still had their eyes fixed on the sky as he went away, when two men dressed in white suddenly stood beside them 11and said, “Galileans [gah-leh-LEE-uhns], why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven.”
After you’ve read this passage with your kids, you can go deeper with these three short activities that will help break open the Word in new ways for your young ones.
Over 100 of these featured stories are included throughout The Catholic Children’s Bible! Each one gives kids a way to understand and apply the teachings of Scripture in their lives, setting them up for a lifetime of faith as they go deeper with every story.
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