Take time this week to create a plan that will help you prepare the way for the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Advent is a season for stepping back from the hectic pre-Christmas routine of the world and slowing down to contemplate the Mystery of the Incarnation. It marks the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Church that slowly builds momentum toward Christmas as the weeks go by. As with all new beginnings, this season is intended to renew our joy, hope, faith and love.
If you’re not intentional during the four weeks of Advent, it will quickly pass you by so start planning now how you will live it out. Our suggestion is to choose one thing from each list below to focus on. This will keep you busy doing the activities needed to make your heart ready to welcome and receive the Baby Jesus on Christmas Day.
Catholic Advent Books To Read
Advent Reflections: Meditations for a Holy Advent | Brandon McGinley
Covering the Sunday readings and events leading up to the birth of Jesus, these meditations carry you back to Bethlehem but take you earlier as well: to ancient Israel, where prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah. For in Advent we look both backward and forward – but always toward that for which we are waiting: the Second Coming of Christ.
Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio: Daily Reflections for Advent | Susan De Bartoli
In Welcoming the Christ Child with Padre Pio, stories about the saint known for his stigmata and ability to bilocate are woven with scripture and prayer to help you experience Advent—Padre Pio’s favorite season—with greater hope and joy. Each day you will read an account from someone who knew Padre Pio.
Behold: A Guided Advent Journal for Prayer and Meditation | Sr. Miriam James Heidland SOLT
In this beautiful guided journal for prayer and meditation, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT—author of the bestselling book Restore—will walk with you as you explore familial wounds with the help of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
For Teens: Advent and Christmas: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens | Katie Prejean McGrady
Following the success of their bestselling devotional Lent: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens, youth ministry experts Katie Prejean McGrady and Tommy McGrady offer devotions that help teens make sense of the things that matter most in their lives such as relationships, their future, and coping with stress.
Realistic and easy to use, each daily devotion starts with a brief Bible quote that connects with a topic important to teens such as insecurity, pressure, trust, fitting in, finding hope, and choosing joy. A brief reflection helps teens consider the day’s topic through their faith.
For Kids: An Advent Hope: A Children’s Book about Family Advent Traditions
Joan, Joe, Emmanuel, and Gianna are surprised when their parents suddenly begin bringing things into their home at the beginning of December. Evergreen branches, candles, and new foods keep appearing throughout the house. They are quickly told that this is part of “Advent” and that the family is preparing for the Christmas season.
The four children have a lot of questions. Join the kids as their family celebrates a time of prayerful waiting and expectation, full of fun traditions and treats!
Excerpts from the Scripture readings that are keyed to the main text throughout the book, helping little ones make connections between the story and what they hear at Mass throughout this season of preparation and beginning of the Christmas seasons.
Daily Advent Reflection Apps And Videos
Hallow #Pray25: Starting on November 27th, the Hallow app will guide you in praying alongside God’s chosen people, tracing the story through all of Scripture: from the Garden of Eden to the manger in Bethlehem where Christ was born.
The Art Of Living Well Daily Advent Videos
Camp Wojtyla’s Jesse Tree Advent Series with Dr. Scott Powell
For Kids: Holy Heroes Advent Adventure
Catholic Advent Traditions
St. Andrew’s Novena (Start November 30!)
Advent Calendar and HERE
Advent Acts Of Service
Find a way to serve and share the joy of Christ during this season! Here are a few suggestions:
- Bake cookies for neighbors who don’t have family and friends nearby.
- Donate clothes, food, and toys to those in need.
- Send Christmas cards to those in nursing homes, those who are in prison, or those serving in the military.
- Go Christmas Caroling and share the joy of Christ in your town!
- Pay for someone’s coffee or lunch when going through the drive-thru.
- Offer to babysit for a family that may not be able to regularly afford a babysitter.
- Give money to support local or worldwide missions. Check out MISSIO!
- Volunteer to help decorate and clean your church for Christmas.
- Text or call those who may be lonely or grieving this holiday season.
Movies To Watch During Advent
The Story of the Nativity: The Truth of Christmas
The story of the birth of Jesus is often misunderstood. But this fast-paced, thought-provoking look at the true story of the Nativity clears away widespread misunderstandings of Jesus’ origin. Join top scholars, inspirational speakers, and popular authors as they explain the story behind the story of the birth of Jesus.
Bo, a brave donkey, and all his new hilarious animal friends go on the adventure of their dreams filled with lots of laughter.
Based on the children’s book “Angela and the Baby Jesus” by Frank McCourt (Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Angela’s Ashes”), comes a funny, heart-warming, and poignant story from the Oscar nominated studio Brown Bag Films about the power of family and the innocent desire of a child to ensure everyone is safe, warm, and loved at Christmas time.
Advent Prayer
O Mother of our Advent, be with us and see to it
– St. John Paul II
that he will remain with us in this difficult Advent
of the struggles for truth and hope, for justice
and peace: He, alone, Emmanuel.
Quotes To Contemplate
Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God’s own love and concern.
– Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta
ADVENT, my dear daughters, is a time of recollection, of salvation; it is a season of grace of which we must profit. From December 17 the anthems of the Office begin with, “O” to express adoration and love. Such were the sentiments in which our Blessed Lady passed the days preceding the birth of Our Lord. How ardently must she have desired to see this little Child Who was Himself the author of her days. She was in continual contemplation. Jesus is born again in our hearts; let us adore Him as Mary did.
– St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
“If we would please this Divine Infant, we too must become children, simple and humble; we must carry to Him flowers of virtue, of meekness, of mortification, of charity; we must clasp him in the arms of our love.”
St. Alphonsus
Open wide your door to the one who comes. Open your soul, throw open the depths of your heart to see the riches of simplicity, the treasures of peace, the sweetness of grace. Open your heart and run to meet the Sun of eternal light that illuminates all men.
– St. Ambrose of Milan
More Catholic Resources
5 Ways To Prepare The Way Of The Lord: An Advent Spiritual Exercise
Preparing to Prepare: Everything You Need to Get Ready for Advent
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