Living liturgically
Before the month of November even begins, we see Christmas decorations in the stores and retailers are urging us to shop for the hot new item on "everyone's" list. If we live by the consumer culture, we will experience "Christmas overload" before Christmas even gets here. Celebrating the season of Advent is an opportunity to slow down and focus on what is truly important. It is a season of joyful preparation, waiting and hope 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 at Christmas.
Preparation & waiting
Using an Advent Wreath, Jesse Tree or an Advent Calendar (or combination of several of these Advent traditions) are good ways to prepare and wait, not only to celebrate the feast of Christmas, but to remind ourselves to "be prepared" for Christ's Second Coming. In the Gospel of Matthew we are told: "So, too, you must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect the Son of Man will come" (Mt 24:44). These Advent traditions help to keep our focus on Jesus and the purpose of the Season.
A lot of families have traditions about when and where they go to get their Christmas tree (or when they pull out the artificial tree) and start decorating. In keeping with the waiting for Christ during Advent- wait on the decorating. Do it little by little. Each week, add a few more Christmas decorations around the house, and try to keep the tree and Nativity scene until last- a signal to the kids that Christmas is almost here!
Move the Mary & Joseph figurines of your Nativity scene around the house as they journey to Bethlehem during Advent. Your children could prepare the manger for Jesus by adding bits of straw (or paper) to it for each good deed they do during the season. On Christmas Eve, Mary and Joseph arrive at the creche, with Jesus making His arrival after your family comes home from Christmas Mass. During the Christmas season, the Wisemen can make a similar journey around your house, arriving at the manger on the Feast of the Epiphany.
Penance
Advent is the beginning of a new Liturgical Year for the Church and an excellent time for new beginnings in our daily lives. To turn away from sin and commit ourselves, with a renewed spirit, more completely to Christ. When the Sacrament of Reconciliation is offered during Advent, take advantage and go to Confession, or make an appointment with a priest. Ideally, the whole family should go together- if your children don't see you going to seek forgiveness for your sins, how can you expect them to learn to ask for forgiveness for theirs?
symbolism of the advent wreath
Circle:
The shape of the Advent Wreath represents God's eternal love and the eternal nature of God; no beginning and no end. Evergreen Branches: In the winter all the plants and trees look dead- only the evergreens still look alive. Using evergreen boughs in the Advent wreath represents the gift of eternal, everlasting life we have through Christ. Colors of the Candles: Purple and pink are the colors in the sky as the sun rises and a new day arrives. So as we count down the weeks of Advent waiting to celebrate the arrival of God, the Son, we use these colors as a reminder that Christ brings us out of darkness and into the light. Number of Candles: 4- one for each of the weeks of Advent. The pink candle is lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, symbolizing the joy of the season and that Christmas is almost here. |
Holly & Berries:
Represent what the future held for Christ. Holly pricks like a thorn (crown of thorns) and the red berries for the blood He shed for us.
Christ Candle:
A white candle is placed in the center of the wreath on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, representing that Christ has come. The purple and pink candles can be replaced with white candles for the Christmas season or continued to be burned along with the Christ Candle during the Christmas Season.
Represent what the future held for Christ. Holly pricks like a thorn (crown of thorns) and the red berries for the blood He shed for us.
Christ Candle:
A white candle is placed in the center of the wreath on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day, representing that Christ has come. The purple and pink candles can be replaced with white candles for the Christmas season or continued to be burned along with the Christ Candle during the Christmas Season.
Jesse tree & Advent calendar
The Jesse Tree and Advent Calendars are similar Advent traditions in that they count down the days of the season. Most Advent Calendars that you purchase will start on December 1st, not the first day of Advent. If are you looking for one that is religious, your best bet is to purchase it from a Catholic company. A Jesse Tree counts down the days until Christmas and helps us to prepare for Christ's Second Coming by remembering all the people who prepared the way of the Lord as we recount the Story of our Salvation through their stories. People like Adam & Eve, Noah, Moses and St. John the Baptist to name a few. You read a scripture passage, or verse, and then symbols are made representing their story and hung on a tree. This can be as simple or elaborate as your crafting talents. Or if you have very limited crafting talent, like me, you can purchase a kit.
Kristkindl
The tradition of the Kristkindl (Christ Child) is similar to the idea of a Secret Santa. But you are not giving presents. You anonymously do acts of mercy and kindness for someone. These may be visible to the person who is on the receiving end of your acts mercy (helping them with chores or doing it for them) or invisible and known only to God. These invisible acts could also be chores (but they won't know who did it) or prayers for the person.
On the First Sunday of Advent, place slips of paper with the names of everyone in the house on them, in a bowl/hat. Everyone selects a name, keeping it a secret, and throughout the month of Advent act as the Christ Child for the person they've selected. Names can be revealed on Christmas Day.
On the First Sunday of Advent, place slips of paper with the names of everyone in the house on them, in a bowl/hat. Everyone selects a name, keeping it a secret, and throughout the month of Advent act as the Christ Child for the person they've selected. Names can be revealed on Christmas Day.
You can also celebrate saints days in November & December with your children as a way of slowing things down and keeping the focus on Christ. Try and incorporate at least one new Advent tradition this year to your family's Advent celebrations.
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