Year 3 have been exploring the story of the Epiphany as part of their Desert to Garden topic. During this unit, they have also learnt about the Order of the Mass, including the altar vessels used and their significance.

This week, the children focused on the scripture from the Mass: “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.” This prayer is rooted in Gospel of John (John 1:29), where John the Baptist proclaims, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

They learnt that, after his private prayers of preparation, the priest genuflects, takes the host, and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or the chalice, proclaims:

“Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.”

(John 1:29)

The children also explored the meaning of the term “Lamb of God.” They discussed how Jesus is understood as the Lamb provided by God (Genesis 22:8), pre-existent with God (John 1:1–14), and destined to become flesh in order to take away the sins of the world.

To deepen their understanding, the children explored a range of artwork depicting Jesus as the Lamb of God, reflecting on how artists communicate this important belief. They then created their own artwork to celebrate Jesus as the Lamb of God. This demonstrated a strong understanding of prayers, religious signs, and the actions of the Mass, with a particular focus on the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Faith in Action 

The children demonstrated their growing knowledge and reverence when attending Mass this week, confidently recognising and engaging with the prayers, responses, and actions they have been learning about. They showed particular understanding of the significance of the Lamb of God in the Eucharist, reflecting on its meaning in their own words and behaviour. This experience encouraged respectful participation, thoughtful listening, and reflection on the role of Jesus’ sacrifice in their faith. Their learning has been further developed in preparation for retelling the Passion of Christ in the Easter Pageant, helping them to express both the story and its spiritual significance through words, actions, and creative interpretation.