Dim lights and create as much quiet as possible. You may want to play soft instrumental music. Slowly read this meditation to students and pause between each sentence.

Take a deep breath. Relax. Get comfortable. Close your eyes. Imagine that you are sitting at a table full of your favorite foods, whatever they may be. Around this bountiful table, you see some of your favorite people: family members, friends, even people from history, from books, and from stories that you like. Everyone looks at you and smiles. Hear many of them say that they are glad you are with them.

Then notice that the walls surrounding you have come alive with pictures, like a movie. You see pictures of some of the very best things that have happened to you at home…(pause)…at school…(pause)…at other places..(pause). You see yourself doing things that you enjoy…(pause)…that you are good at…(pause)…that help others…(pause).You see beautiful scenes from nature and the world that God has created…(pause).

Slowly, the pictures on the walls fade and you look again into the faces of the people around the table with you. You smile at them and they smile at you. You can feel the support and help of everyone around the table. Then hear yourself say, “Let us pray.” All heads bow, and everyone gives heartfelt thanks to God. You feel a deep gratitude welling up in your heart.

In your heart, quietly talk to God with your own words. Give thanks for all the good things in your life, even for the challenges, which help you grow. Thank God for being there with you always, ready to help. Listen to what God says to you.

Talk and listen as long as you wish. When ready, say good-bye to everyone around the table, quietly leave the table, and return to our classroom. Open your eyes.

Jeanne Heiberg is the author of Advent Arts and Christmas Crafts (Paulist Press) and Advent calendars (Creative Communications). She has taught art, writing, creative catechetics, and meditation, and has directed parish catechetical programs.