"Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth, 

for the LORD speaks: 

Sons have I raised and reared, 

but they have rebelled against me. 

An ox knows its owner, 

and an ass,* its master’s manger; 

But Israel does not know, 

my people has not understood.” Isaiah 1:2-3 

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"The events of Christ’s infancy appear rather difficult due to the misuse that is generally made of them by often telling them (with many diminutives!) as if they were beautiful fables. The fact is that the infancy narratives, especially in Luke, are a type of “theological tapestry” - if it is possible to call them so- whereby the evangelist stresses the grandeur of the mystery he is announcing through a variety of techniques.” The Religious Potential of the Child, pg. 76 

Marty O’Bryan joins us on the podcast to ponder how deep the scriptures during this season of Christmas are and the beautiful theological tapestry that weaves them all together throughout the whole Bible are.   

Marty O’Bryan began her formation in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd with Sofia Cavalletti in 1983 and has been a catechists since 1985. She conducts adult formations at Levels I, II and III throughout the United States. A retired speech and language pathologist, Marty holds a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies with an emphasis on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd from Aquinas Institute of Theology. Currently, she works with children in Level I, II, and III atria in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. 

Scripture Verses to Read in Advent and Christmas Seasons: 

Annunciation- Luke 1:26-38 

Visitation- Luke 1:39-56 

Birth of Jesus and Adoration of the Shepherds- Luke 2:1-20 

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple- Luke 2: 21-33, 36-39 

Adoration of the Magi- Matthew 2:1-12 

Flight into Egypt- Matthew 2:13-23 

Little Gospel Booklets- Infancy Narratives 

Books you may be interested in: 

The Religious Potential of the Child 

Ways to Nurture the Relationship with God 

History of the Kingdom of God Part 1: From Creation to Parousia 

Books from Fr Raymond Brown: 

The Birth of the Messiah 

A Coming Christ in Advent 

An Adult Christ as Christmas 

Episodes with Marty- 

Episode 15- Chapter One of Joyful Journey  

Episode 95- CGS Characteristics #21 and 25 with Lynne Worthington and Marty O’Bryan 

Episode 100 – Art as Prayer Response 

Episode 114- Characteristic #27  

Podcast Episodes about Advent and Christmas: 

Episode 27- Mystery of the Incarnation with Karen Maxwell 

Episode 79- Chapter 6 of The Religious Potential of the Child 

Episode 104- Annunciation and the Incarnation with Sofia Cavalletti  

Episode 128 CGS Advent in the Home with Mary Heinrich 

Episode 129- The Family in Advent with Gertrud Muller Nelson 

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AUDIOBOOK: 

Audiobook – Now Available on Audible 

CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz! 

The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child’s spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook. 

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