Waiting and Celebrating – Part Two

We all desire to purposefully enter into the true spirit of Advent. Enter into the season of waiting for the birth of our Lord. However, sometimes life can get in the way of our best intentions and time gets away from us. December 26th arrives, and we wonder “What just happened?”  

Isn’t it reassuring to know you have until January 12th to truly celebrate? The Sunday after the Feast of Christ the King begins the new Liturgical Year with the first of the four Sundays of Advent. Advent, the season of expectant waiting, then culminates with the Feast of the Nativity of the Lord, commonly called Christmas Day. THEN the real Christmas season begins. The full Christmas season is celebrated from December 25th all the way until the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 12th.  

Intentionally employing the resources below may help you avoid cutting short the true Christmas season on December 26th. Learning to incorporate new activities and traditions for the entirety of this blessed time of waiting and celebrating will bless, enrich and enhance your Advent and Christmas. 

(Here is a link to Waiting and Celebrating – Part One) 

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS RESOURCES

From Formed.org – Individuals & Family Videos, Audio Dramas & Talks 

Rooted: Rediscover the Jesse Tree – Take 7 minutes a day to journey through salvation history, exploring Christ’s ancestors, Scripture, and insights to prepare your heart for Christmas with Rooted’s short daily reflections directly in your inbox. Bring this rich Catholic tradition into your home with FREE Jesse Tree ornament coloring sheets or dive even deeper with our Rooted devotional. 

Tell me About Your Catholic Traditions, audio drama for children. The Story of Christmas, a shadow puppet retelling of “The Story of Christmas” by Brother Joseph and “The Shadow of His Wings” puppet theater. Recorded talks by Dr Tim Gray and Bishop Robert Barron. 

To access the programs on Formed.org, you must have an account. Many parishes have a parish-wide log-in, if you do not already have an account. 

From Dynamic Catholic – Individuals 

Best Advent Ever – Make the radical choice to slow down, spend a few minutes each day immersed in God’s word. Watch short inspirational Gospel reflections, pray with the daily scripture, and receive their companion resource: Best Christmas Ever. 

From United States Catholic Conference of Bishops – Family 

The USCCB offers a printable Advent Calendar to use alongside your family Advent Wreath. The calendar offers daily scripture reflections, activities for the Holy Days found during December, and suggestions for family activities. 

From Catholic All Year – Family Celebrations for the Whole Liturgical Year – Family 

The Catholic All Year Compendium – Bring the rich traditions of the Catholic Church’s liturgical year into your family life. Mother and blogger Kendra Tierney shares how her family celebrates Catholic seasons and feasts—from Advent and Christmas, through Lent and Easter, to Pentecost and beyond. She provides ideas for stories, activities, foods, and decorations that will help you to celebrate your Catholic faith with your family and friends 

How the Catholic All Year Tierney’s have celebrated Advent through the years. 

Catholic All Year Handmade Jesse Tree Set Tutorial 

From Catholic Sprouts – The Quest: A Journey through Advent to Epiphany – Family 

A virtues-based, no-prep, parent-led daily study for Catholic families. This beautiful hardcover book offers daily reflections that will gently lead your family deeper into the virtuous life and prepare you to greet Baby Jesus on Christmas and Epiphany.  

The Quest is set up as follows: 

  • First Week of Advent: The Quest, The Pursuit of Virtue 
  • Second Week of Advent: The Map, The Virtue of Prudence 
  • Third Week of Advent: The Vehicle, The Virtue of Fortitude 
  • Fourth Week of Advent: The Driver, The Virtue of Temperance 
  • Christmas-Dec 31st: The World, The Virtue of Justice 
  • Jan 1st-Jan 6th: Our Gift, The Virtuous Life 

From Catholic Family Crate – Family 

Helping parents bring the faith home, Catholic Family Crate, offers their Advent seasonal “crate” containing stickers, activity ideas, coloring pages, ornaments, prayer cards and a Virtue Chat table topper. Limited supplies.  

Browse CCL’s Store for new Games & Gifts – perfect for Advent & Christmas giving!