Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).
Advent Prayer
God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.
Amen.
Advent Prayer
God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.
Amen.
What is Advent? - In Two Minutes
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Advent Wreath
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Advent Wreath: Traditionally, Advent wreaths are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent. Ideally, three candles are purple and one is rose, but white candles can also be used. The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead. Go to Blessing of Advent Wreath.
Advent Candles: Decorate a set of Advent candles for your family to use during this season of hope, peace, love, and joy. Go to Vibrant Faith at Home. |
Advent Calendar
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Family Advent Calendar (USCCB) - In English & Spanish
Countdown to Advent: Get to know the Bible passages that talk about the promise of Jesus' birth and the events leading to Jesus' birth. Go to: vibrantfaithathome.org/item/countdown-to-christmas
Alternative Advent: Kids create an alternative advent calendar to benefit a charitable organization in their town. Instead of just opening boxes on an Advent calendar or moving Santa from one slot to the next, use Advent as a time to collect donations or goods for a local charitable organization. Go to Vibrant Faith at Home. | ||||||
Jesse Tree
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The Jesse Tree helps us connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to Jesus' birth. The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Jesse was the father of King David. We adorn a Jesse Tree with illustrated ornaments that represent the people, prophesies, and events leading up to the birth of Jesus. The ornaments of the Jesse Tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history. Go to Jesse Tree online.
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Advent Daily Devotions
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Best Advent Ever - Daily Reflections: Starting December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, you'll receive daily emails with short inspirational videos from Matthew Kelly and Dr. Allen Hunt, practical tips to incorporate into your everyday life, and personal stories from Dynamic Catholic team members. Go to Best Advent Ever.
Sacred Advent Daily Reflections: Embrace the Advent season as a sacred space from the ease of your e-mail inbox. Sacred Advent is a daily e-mail prayer break during a busy season. Each day invites you to a step-by-step progression of praying with a Scripture reading and related points of reflection. The messages also include suggestions for further exploration of Advent themes through additional online articles and prayers. Go to Sacred Advent. |
