I know, it is only the middle of November. You are probably upset that Walmart had Christmas decorations up before the Halloween candy was put away. And you have just begun to think about what dishes you will prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. But I am telling you, now is the time to begin preparing for Christmas preparations.
Of course, we Catholics call Christmas preparation Advent. And it is not too early to think about Advent – it will be here before you know it, very soon after you carve that turkey. So, before you get wrapped up in hors d’oeuvres and delight in desserts, take a little time to prepare to prepare.
Find time this week to get up into the attic or crawl into the storage space to find the advent wreath. Don’t forget to buy the candles, if you need them. They can be hard to find at last minute!
Choose a book of devotions to use with your family around the wreath. Our very own Lisa M. Hendey wrote a nice little family Advent devotional book called 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath. For every day during Advent, there is an antiphon, Bible verse, reflection, questions, and a prayer. If you like to light your Advent wreath when everyone is gathered for dinner or before bed when little ones may be sleepy, the concise reflections are perfect. Have a little longer time to reflect? Then the discussions will enhance your prayer time together. Because of the thoughtful questions, this little book also lends itself to journaling.
Looking for some Advent projects to do together? Consider Susan Hines-Brigger’s A Catholic Family Advent: Prayers and Activities. Along simple activities that often employ the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, this devotional also has short Scripture readings, prayers, and a “talk together” section for each day.
If you have little ones, I just love Laugh and Grow Bible Family Advent Devotional: A Four-Week Journey Through the Christmas Story. After a little story written for children based on Scriptures, the family connection pages gives parents and children something to Talk, Say, Pray, Remember, and Play together. Personally, I’m getting this one for my little granddaughter and her mommy and daddy this year!
If you have teens in your home celebrating Christmas with you, help them focus on the true meaning of the season with Advent and Christmas: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens by Tommy and Katie Prejean McGrady. This devotional gives each week of Advent a theme: hope, faith, joy, and peace. Old Testament readings, reflections, and prayers build on the week’s theme. Young people are challenged to "Grow Your Soul" with practical acts, and if they "Feel Ambitious" a bigger feat is given. While written as a journaling experience for youth, there is no reason why parents cannot participate, too.
Looking for something a little different than the traditional advent wreath devotion? Try The Jesse Tree for Families. Get a little evergreen or a nice tree branch with lots of twigs and put it in a pot. Then use the cardstock pictures in the back of the book to cut out and decorate your Jesse tree. Each day for the first 16 days, this beautifully illustrated book tells the story of someone in Jesus’ family tree. The last 7 days reflect on the titles of Jesus given in the O Antiphons (from O Wisdom to O Emmanuel). Engaging for young and old, this is the perfect book if you have a wide range of ages in your family.
As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, know that our season of waiting and anticipating Jesus’ birth grows near. Make it more meaningful for you and your family by filling this time of preparation with prayer, action, and reflection.
Do you have a favorite Advent book or tradition? I would love to know! I am always looking for new ideas. Feel free to share in the comment section below.
God bless your Advent and may it culminate in a most glorious Christmas!
*If you use any of the links I provide above to purchase a book, I will benefit ever so slightly financially. Thank you.