Preparing for Advent

Advent is the first season in the church calendar. It marks the beginning of our church year. Advent has become a time of buying gifts, baking cookies and running ourselves ragged. While preparing to celebrate is certainly an appropriate response to the anticipated coming of God incarnate (become human), the true meaning of Advent is inward reflection, repentance of sins, and preparing our souls to meet Christ, the Redeemer. The season of Advent gives us a unique opportunity to enrich the lives of our families. To provide traditions and memories that bond families together while giving each member a chance to enrich their own spiritual lives.

One way we can do this is through the making of an Advent Calendar. It is a way to count down till Christ’s birthday. An idea for an Advent Calendar:
http://new.catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/2010_advent_chain.pdf

Another way is to make a family Advent wreath. This is a way that families can gather each night and have a devotion about the coming of Christ. An Advent wreath is made from greens to symbolize continuous life and contains four candles— three purple and one rose. Often a fifth candle (white) is added to the center of the wreath for lighting on Christmas Eve, in celebration of the birth of Jesus. (http://www.amazingmoms.com/htm/christmas_advent.htm)

First Sunday of advent : Hope
light one purple candle to symbolize Hope
Prayer
Read Isaiah 60:2-3
Extinguish the flame

Second Sunday : Peace
Light two purple candles - Hope and Peace
Prayer
Read Mark 1:4
Extinguish the flames

Third Sunday : Joy
Light two purple candles (Hope and Peace)
and one rose to symbolize Joy
Prayer
Read Isaiah 35:10
Extinguish the flames

Fourth Sunday: Love
light all four candles - Hope, Peace, Joy and Love
Prayer
Read Isaiah 9:6-7
Extinguish the flames

Christmas Eve
After Sunset...
Light all four candles and add the fifth white candle
(the light of Christ)
Prayer
Read Luke 1:68-79 and Luke 2:1-20
Keep the candles lit a bit longer, or safely
throughout the evening.