Every Advent, I try to create opportunities for my students to slow down, wonder, and enter into the story of Jesus’ birth in a hands-on, heart-centered way. This year, “Mary on the Move” has become one of our favorite classroom traditions. It’s a simple practice with a powerful purpose: helping students journey with Mary as she prepares to welcome Jesus—and noticing how we can make room for Him in our own hearts.

What Is Mary on the Move?

Each day, Mary appears somewhere new in our classroom. She’s always “on the move,” preparing for Jesus’ birth. The students immediately search for her when they walk in, excited to see where she’s traveling next. But more than the novelty, they’ve begun to understand the deeper meaning: Mary was moving too—physically, spiritually, and emotionally—as she awaited Jesus.

Slides to Set the Tone

To anchor our day, students begin with a short slide presentation I created. These slides introduce Mary’s task or reflection point for the day. Some days she’s tidying up her space. Other days she’s making Christmas cards, feeling baby Jesus kick, hearing about the census, or planning her trip to Bethlehem. Each slide contains a simple message: Mary is preparing, and so are we.

The slides have quickly become a calm, prayerful way to begin our morning and point us toward the true meaning of Advent.

Reflection Journals: A Place for Heart Work

Alongside the slides, students use their Mary on the Move Reflection Journal. This has become one of the most beautiful parts of our routine. After finding Mary and seeing the day’s theme, students take a moment to reflect, write, draw, or quietly think:

How is Mary preparing today? How can I prepare my heart too? Where can I see God at work in my everyday life?

The journals give them space to process Advent in a way that’s developmentally meaningful—slow, quiet, and personal. For many of them, this has become their favorite morning ritual.

Daily Challenge Cards

The challenge cards bring everything to life. Each card invites students to complete a small, virtue-centered action inspired by Mary’s day. Examples include:

—“Help someone tidy a space with a grateful heart.”

—“Make room for Jesus by doing something kind for a classmate.”

—“Practice patience today like Mary preparing for her long journey.”

—“Write a Christmas card to someone who needs extra love.”

These aren’t just tasks—they’re small ways students practice living the Gospel. Watching the transformation in classroom culture has been such a gift.

Listening to Mary’s Story on Hallow

One of the most beautiful additions this year has been incorporating the Mary’s Perspective podcast on Hallow. Students listen to a short episode in Mary’s voice, imagining what she may have been feeling as she prepared for Jesus.

Hallow’s storytelling draws them right into the heart of Advent. The students are captivated—quiet, reflective, and truly engaged. Hearing Mary’s inner thoughts helps them understand her courage, trust, and love on a deeper level.

It has made our Mary on the Move experience even more immersive.

Why This Matters

In a season that can easily become busy or distracted, Mary on the Move keeps our focus on the quiet, faithful waiting of Advent. My students aren’t just learning about Mary—they’re growing with her. They’re practicing virtues, strengthening their prayer life, and beginning to understand what it means to make room for Jesus in daily life.

It has been one of the most meaningful Advent practices I’ve ever brought into the classroom, and the students remind me every day why these small moments of faith formation matter.