Virginia Theological Seminary

Generosity—
Giving Without Counting the Cost

December: St. Nicholas ~ Grades 1–2

from Virtues in Practice: Faith, Grades 1—2 by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation

Saint Nicholas
Image from antique Austrian postcard
St. Nicholas Center Collection

Prayer

Act of Faith

Virtue of the Month

Generosity: giving without counting the cost

Saint of the Month

Saint Nicholas
(died 342, Asia Minor, not Turkey)

Saint Nicholas was a bishop who was always giving to the poor. He heard about a family with three daughters who had no money to get married. Each time one of the girls was ready to get married Saint Nicholas left gold—once, twice, three times! He never told them that he had given the money, but did it in secret.

Discussion

Find Turkey, where Saint Nicholas lived, on a globe.

Say "SAINT nikLAUS" five times fast. Do you see where the name Santa Claus comes from?

Home Project

Due December _______________________

Prayer

Holy Spirit, open our minds and hearts to God's Word.
(Read and discuss Luke 21.3-4)

Saint's Virtue Activity: Generosity

  • Discuss ways that your family gives to the poor at Christmas.
  • Are there ways that your parish gives to the poor at Christmas?
  • Does your church or school have a celebration in honor of Saint Nicholas? What is it like?

Prayer

Saint Nicholas, help us to notice those in need. Make us want to give of ourselves, even if no one notices our good deeds. Let us be satisfied with knowing that Jesus sees our generosity and is pleased. Amen. Saint Nicholas, pray for us!

Saint Activity

Saint Nicholas was a bishop. Color the symbols of a bishop in gold. Choose your own colors for the rest.
  • a pointed hat called a mitre;
  • a shepherd's staff called a crozier;
  • a large cross on a chain called a pectoral cross;
  • a bishop's ring.

Prayer

Blessed Mother Mary, thank you for giving yourself totally to God.
Thank you for going on a long trip when you were almost ready to hae the Baby Jersus, and for not counting the cost, even when you had to stay in a stable. Help us to be generous as we prepare to receive Jesus at Christmas. (Pray 3 Hail Marys)

Review

What is generosity?
Who is Saint Nicholas?

Growth in Generosity

What did you do to grow in generosity this month? Tell about your projects in a small group, then share with the class.
Cover

From Virtues in Practice: Faith: Grades 1—2, by the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation, Nashville, Tennessee. Used by permission.

Virtues in Practice provides a virtue for each month with a saint who models the virtue. The program is on a three year cycle that presents 21 virtues and 81 saints over 9 years, for four grade levels. Available as a free online resource.

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