Advent is a time for waiting - a time of watching - a time to hope.
It might seem strange at first that we designate Advent as the time that we begin our liturgical year - and the lessons at the start of Advent talk about things of the end. That is because Advent is not only a time to remember Christ's first coming as Christmas, but also a time to look forward to Christ's second coming at the end of the world.
During the four weeks of Advent, we take time to reflect on:
As we enter the holiday season, we are given the opportunity to give thanks to God and our express hopes for the future by making TIME to grow more deeply in our faith.
It might seem strange at first that we designate Advent as the time that we begin our liturgical year - and the lessons at the start of Advent talk about things of the end. That is because Advent is not only a time to remember Christ's first coming as Christmas, but also a time to look forward to Christ's second coming at the end of the world.
During the four weeks of Advent, we take time to reflect on:
- how Jesus was the Messiah promised by God to God's people and was foretold by the prophets
- how the coming of the Messiah came to pass in the birth of Jesus, born of Mary in Bethlehem
- how Christ, the Prince of Peace, will come at the end of time to be the ruler over the promised reign of God.
- how we live out this mystery of faith each time we pray, "Your kingdom come, you will be done."
As we enter the holiday season, we are given the opportunity to give thanks to God and our express hopes for the future by making TIME to grow more deeply in our faith.
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Scroll down this page to the current Sunday to find resources and suggestions for each week. Since you know your family's needs better than anyone, you will be able to use these resources and suggestions in ways uniquely appropriate to your family.
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Click on the link for the appropriate Sunday
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A Special Family Activity - The Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath, or Advent crown, is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar. It is traditionally a Lutheran practice, although it has spread to many other Christian denominations. Even though we often see the Advent wreath in church, it is meant primarily to be a home devotion. You may want to watch the brief video below (First Sunday in Advent) as Brother Francis explains the Advent Wreath.
The Advent wreath is an evergreen wreath with four candles, sometimes with a fifth, white candle in the center. Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading, devotional time and prayers. An additional candle is lit on each subsequent Sunday until, by the last Sunday of Advent, all four candles are lit. Some Advent wreaths include a fifth, Christ candle which is lit at Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Each candle has a meaning:
The Advent wreath, or Advent crown, is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar. It is traditionally a Lutheran practice, although it has spread to many other Christian denominations. Even though we often see the Advent wreath in church, it is meant primarily to be a home devotion. You may want to watch the brief video below (First Sunday in Advent) as Brother Francis explains the Advent Wreath.
The Advent wreath is an evergreen wreath with four candles, sometimes with a fifth, white candle in the center. Beginning with the First Sunday of Advent, the lighting of a candle can be accompanied by a Bible reading, devotional time and prayers. An additional candle is lit on each subsequent Sunday until, by the last Sunday of Advent, all four candles are lit. Some Advent wreaths include a fifth, Christ candle which is lit at Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Each candle has a meaning:
- HOPE: On the First Sunday in Advent, we light the first purple candle to celebrate HOPE. This is also called the “Prophet’s Candle,” and it represents the hope we have because Jesus is coming.
- FAITH: The Second Sunday in Advent is marked with the second purple candle, which symbolizes FAITH. This is also called the “Bethlehem Candle,” and with it we remember Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
- JOY: On the Third Sunday in Advent, we light the pink candle, which represents JOY. This is also called the “Shepherd’s Candle,” and we are reminded of the joy the world experienced when Jesus was born in human flesh.
- PEACE: On the Fourth Sunday in Advent, we light the final purple candle as we celebrate PEACE. This is called the “Angel’s Candle,” and it reminds us of the message the angels sang: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men!”
- PURITY: If your Advent wreath includes a Christ candle, you light it on Christmas Day. This candle is usually white to symbolize purity.
To make an advent wreath at home, you can explore the internet for many different options, some simple, some more complex. Choose whatever works best in your family as something you can all do together! For the weekly celebration, you can download files with readings and prayers for use with your family below. Choose the one that works best for your family. Here is one sample: Click Here
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The First Sunday in Advent - December 1
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, which is also the first Sunday of a new liturgical year for the Church. The Advent season includes the four Sundays that precede Christmas. It is a time of preparation for the coming of the Lord. In this season, we recall two central elements of our faith: the final coming of the Lord in glory and the incarnation of the Lord in the birth of Jesus. Key themes of the Advent season are watchful waiting, preparation, and justice.
In this new liturgical year, the Gospel of Mark will be the primary Gospel proclaimed (Lectionary Cycle B). .
Today’s Gospel is taken from the end of Mark’s Gospel, the chapter that immediately precedes Mark’s account of Jesus’ Passion. Having been questioned repeatedly by the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus is now questioned by his disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—who want details about his prediction of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus answers with many warnings about the difficulties that the disciples will face.
In this new liturgical year, the Gospel of Mark will be the primary Gospel proclaimed (Lectionary Cycle B). .
Today’s Gospel is taken from the end of Mark’s Gospel, the chapter that immediately precedes Mark’s account of Jesus’ Passion. Having been questioned repeatedly by the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus is now questioned by his disciples—Peter, James, John, and Andrew—who want details about his prediction of the destruction of the Temple. Jesus answers with many warnings about the difficulties that the disciples will face.
REAdings for this sunday
The readings appointed for The First Sunday in Advent are: (Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.)
Isaiah prays for the Lord’s forgiveness of the people.
Paul gives thanks to God for the faith of the Corinthians.
Jesus warns his disciples to be watchful so that they will be ready when the Son of Man comes.
- First Reading
Isaiah prays for the Lord’s forgiveness of the people.
- Second Reading
Paul gives thanks to God for the faith of the Corinthians.
- Gospel Reading
Jesus warns his disciples to be watchful so that they will be ready when the Son of Man comes.
Resource cornerDuring the season of Advent, we celebrate the coming of Christ. We think back to His birth in Bethlehem, but we also look forward to His Second Coming one day.
Children understand the concept of waiting for a much-anticipated event, and they can certainly relate to the idea of being prepared…but they might not quite associate those things with Christmas or the coming of Jesus. This message aims to remind kids that Advent is not only about the initial coming found in the Incarnation, but also has to do with our awaiting the eventual return of Christ. We know that Jesus came to Earth, lived, and died, to take our sins away and grant us eternal life in Him. Because of that, we rejoice in the Advent of His birth, and eagerly anticipate His second coming. Be prepared for the Second Coming! This message is based on the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus describes frightening events of the last days of Earth, but promises that He will come again for us. We don't know when this will be, but we can hope in His promises and eagerly await His advent. In modern times of trouble, we can be comforted by knowing that God's word will never change or pass away, and He will always be with us.
Saint Nicholas / Santa ClausHave you heard the real story of Sant Claus? Well, his real name was Nicholas, and he lived a long time ago in a place called Asia Minor, which is part of Turkey now. A long long time ago, during third century AD, there lived a devout couple Theophanes and Nonna. They had been without a child for more than thirty years, and after years of prayers, they had been blessed with a son.
Nicholas was a very clever child, and by the time he was five years old, he had started studying the Bible.As a young boy, Nicholas loved to visit the nearby monastery, where his uncle was the abbot. It was here that Nicholas began his life long dedication to the church, as he joined in the daily worship, chanting prayers together with monks. Nicholas learned to love and serve God from his parents, as well as the monks. Nicholas learned scriptures and theology as well from the monks. Facebook discussion group
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at [email protected] |
Activity CornerFamily Activity
In family life, we try to prepare ourselves for many future things: our next vacation, our children’s education, our retirement. We are careful not to allow ourselves to be caught by surprise so that we can handle any challenges our family may face. Today’s Gospel reminds us that we are called to be just as attentive and alert to the coming of the Son of Man so that it will not catch us unprepared. This means attending to our family’s spiritual life as carefully as we attend to other important family matters. As you gather as a family, talk about a time when you received surprise visitors at your house, perhaps a neighbor who stopped by or a relative who arrived unannounced. Was your household prepared to receive this unannounced guest? What might your family have done differently if you knew ahead of time that this visitor was going to arrive? Jesus told his disciples that no one knows when the Son of Man will return, except the Father. Read with your family what Jesus told his disciples in today’s Gospel, Mark 13:33-37. During Advent, we not only prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also check to see if we are doing all the things that will keep us ready to receive Jesus when he comes again. Talk about how your family can recommit to daily prayer, reading Scripture, and staying faithful to God’s commandments. Pray together that through this Advent season your family will be more prepared to receive Jesus when he comes again. Read as a concluding prayer Paul’s words to the Corinthians found in today’s second reading, 1 Corinthians 1:3-9, or pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Materials Needed
Materials Needed
Family and other age appropriate materials adapted from Sunday Connections, © 2021 Loyola Press. All rights reserved.
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The Second Sunday in Advent - December 8
Mark’s description of the appearance of John the Baptist highlights John’s continuity with the Jewish prophetic tradition. Mark combines quotations from the Old Testament books of Malachi, Isaiah, and Exodus. Mark’s description of John as an ascetic, living in the desert, clothed in camel hair, and eating locusts and wild honey, is reminiscent of the description of the prophet Elijah found in Second Kings. The people of Judea and Jerusalem flock to him, listening to his message of repentance and forgiveness; they also come to him to be baptized. Mark’s Gospel is clear, however, that John the Baptist’s role is only to prepare the way for another who will come, one who is greater than John.
Readings for this Sunday
The readings for The Second Sunday in Advent are:
(Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.) Isaiah tells the people to prepare a way for the Lord.
Peter teaches that we must always be holy because the return of the Lord cannot be predicted.
John the Baptist preached repentance and baptized the people, in preparation for the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
(Click on the link for the text of each reading from this Sunday.) Isaiah tells the people to prepare a way for the Lord.
Peter teaches that we must always be holy because the return of the Lord cannot be predicted.
John the Baptist preached repentance and baptized the people, in preparation for the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
RESOURCE CornerHow do we receive information? Is the news good, or frustrating? In this message, discuss who John the Baptist was and the message of hope he came to share. Encourage students to receive this good news and to tell others about the joy of Jesus.
Materials Needed Materials to make a collage: 2 sets of pictures (from magazines or printed from the internet) 1) an Advent wreath, an Advent calendar, a Christmas tree, Christmas presents; 2) people showing kindness to others, people saying sorry or the word Sorry, people singing in church, people praying, people donating or volunteering; poster board or a large sheet of construction paper with the words “We prepare the way for Christ during Advent”; glue stick for each child. Ask permission to hang the collage in the hallway or narthex of the church.
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Activity CornerFamily Activity
The season of Advent invites us to renew our lives in preparation for the coming of Jesus. The people who heard the message of John the Baptist repented for their sins and were baptized as a sign of God’s forgiveness. In Baptism, our sins are forgiven, and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who helps us in our life of discipleship. Led by the Holy Spirit, we use this Advent season to renew our lives so that we, like John the Baptist, might prepare the way for Jesus. As you gather together as a family, talk about ways in which the example of others has called you to be a follower of Jesus. Name the people who have been examples to you of Christian discipleship and describe their characteristics that you have tried to emulate. Read together today’s Gospel, Mark 1:1-8. As John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, Baptism commissions us to prepare the way of the Lord. The gift of the Holy Spirit leads us to continually renew our lives so that we might lead others to Jesus. As a family, identify at least one action that you will take this week to try to be more faithful followers of Jesus. Conclude in prayer together that God will receive this action and use it to lead others to Jesus. Pray the Prayer to the Holy Spirit. Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help us to relish what is right and always rejoice in your consolation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Materials Needed
Family and other age appropriate materials adapted from Sunday Connections, © 2021 Loyola Press. All rights reserved.
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Facebook discussion group
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at [email protected]
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at [email protected]
The Third sunday in Advent - December 15
The Gospel for today combines a brief passage from the prologue to John’s Gospel with a report about John the Baptist. As in Mark’s Gospel, the Gospel of John contains no birth narrative. Instead, John’s Gospel begins with a theological reflection that has come to be called the “prologue.” This prologue places the story of Jesus in its cosmological framework. It speaks of Jesus’ existence with God since the beginning of time. In John’s Gospel, Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the culmination of the Word, the light that is coming into the world’s darkness.
The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” This name is taken from the ancient entrance antiphon for Sunday's Eucharist, which is also echoed in today's second reading from the Paul's letter to the Philippians. Some people mark this Sunday by lighting a pink candle instead of a purple one on their Advent wreath. It is a reminder that the Advent season is a season of joy because our salvation is already at hand.
Readings for this Sunday
The readings for The Third Sunday in Advent are:
(Click here for the text of this Sunday's readings.)
(Click here for the text of this Sunday's readings.)
The Lord’s salvation will be made known to the poor and the oppressed.
Paul encourages the Thessalonians to rejoice and pray always.
John gives testimony that he is preaching and baptizing in order to prepare for the coming of another.
Paul encourages the Thessalonians to rejoice and pray always.
John gives testimony that he is preaching and baptizing in order to prepare for the coming of another.
Resource CornerThis seasonal message features the deeper meaning behind the holiday decoration of Christmas lights. The message also uses the character of John the Baptist as a reminder that we are to "proclaim the light" that is Jesus. When we see lights, we recall that Jesus is the light of the world, and that gives us hope at Christmas and always. And along with John, we prepare the way for Christ and share the good news of His light with others.
God had two jobs for John the Baptist: one was to get people ready to hear the good news of Jesus; and, the second was to identify Jesus when he arrived. Here is an animated telling of the story and a portion that sets the context.
Facebook discussion group
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at [email protected] |
Activity CornerFamily ActivityIn family life, we learn to trust other people for protection and care. This experience of trust within the family enables children to believe us when we testify about our faith in Jesus. John the Baptist was believed by those who heard him because he helped them to recognize Jesus in their midst. In our family life, we hope and pray that we lead one another to recognize Jesus’ presence in our world.
As you gather as a family, recall that during the Advent season we are invited to pay particular attention to the signs of Jesus’ presence in our world. Consider some of the signs of Jesus’ presence that you have experienced. During Advent, we remember how John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. Read together today’s Gospel, John 1:6-8,19-28. Discuss the signs of Jesus’ presence in our world that you named and explain what these signs tell us about God and God’s love for us. Pray together that your family will be led to recognize that Jesus is present among us. Read and pray together the psalm for today’s Mass, the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55).
Materials Needed
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- Grades 4, 5, and 6
Older children are beginning to question the things that people tell them. Likewise, they may have begun questioning and testing the words of faith. We can help them to understand that it is natural to question the words of other people. We can also show them that the words of others can be trusted and that our faith in Jesus is credible because it is founded on our experience of Jesus.
Materials Needed
- None
- Say to the group: There are many things that we accept on the word of other people. For example, we believe our parents and grandparents when they tell us what about what life was like when they were children. We believe the scientists who report to us the results of their observations and experiments. We believe our teachers when they teach us about the facts of history. What are some examples of things that we accept on the word of others? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
- Ask the group: Why do we believe what people tell us? What makes the word of another person believable? (They have actual experience with the things that they are explaining, they have learned something we have not, or because their word to us has previously proved trustworthy.)
- Say: This is also the way it is with what we believe about Jesus. Today’s Gospel talks about John the Baptist and how he gave witness to Jesus. Let’s listen carefully to this Gospel.
- Invite one or more volunteers to read John 1:6-8,19-28.
- Ask: What did John the Baptist tell the Jewish leaders when they asked about his authority and preaching? (John said that he was not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet.) What did John the Baptist say when they asked about the baptisms that he was performing? (John said that he was baptizing in preparation for another person.) John offered this testimony about himself and about Jesus because he knew Jesus was the Son of God who was coming to save the world. He told the people that Jesus was among them even though they did not yet recognize him.
- Say: The people who came to see John the Baptist believed his words to them. If we were to continue reading in John’s Gospel, we would hear how John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Son of God when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus. John then announced to the people that Jesus was the Lamb of God. Where do we look to hear testimony about who Jesus is? (the Bible, the Church, the people of faith in our lives) We believe these witnesses to Jesus because they have proven themselves to be trustworthy and because they witness to a person they know, Jesus.
- Conclude in prayer together that you and your group will continue to grow in faith and in your ability to recognize Jesus’ presence in all aspects of life. Pray together the Act of Faith.
An Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe this, because you have revealed it, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Amen.
O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe this, because you have revealed it, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Amen.
Family and other age appropriate materials adapted from Sunday Connections, © 2021 Loyola Press. All rights reserved.
The Fourth Sunday in Advent - December 22
This Sunday we read the story of the angel Gabriel’s announcement to Mary about the birth of Jesus. This story is found only in Luke’s Gospel. On this fourth Sunday of Advent, the liturgy shifts our attention from John the Baptist to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both John and Mary serve as important figures for our reflection during the season of Advent; they both played instrumental roles in preparing the way for Jesus. Last week we reflected on John the Baptist’s announcement that the Savior was among us, although not yet recognized. This week we reflect upon Mary’s example of faith and obedience to God, traits which permitted her to receive the angel’s message that God’s Son would be born as a human person, as one of us.
Readings for this Sunday
The readings for The Fourth Sunday in Advent are:
(Click here for the text of the readings from this Sunday.) The Lord promises David that he will raise from his descendants a kingdom that will endure forever.
Paul praises God for making his revelation known.
The angel Gabriel visits Mary to announce the birth of Jesus.
(Click here for the text of the readings from this Sunday.) The Lord promises David that he will raise from his descendants a kingdom that will endure forever.
Paul praises God for making his revelation known.
The angel Gabriel visits Mary to announce the birth of Jesus.
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Resource CornerWhat does it mean to obey? To believe? In this children's message, children will hear how God can do the impossible, and how He can do amazing things in our lives if we trust Him. The story focuses on the angel who announced to Mary that she would bear God's Son. Mary believed that this was possible, and God's promises came true through her! Mary submitted to God and obeyed Him, just by saying "yes." All we need to do to be saved is to believe and accept Jesus. When we do that, anything is possible!
Materials Needed
Facebook discussion group
Also available for parents is a special Facebook Group where parents can support one another, ask questions, offer advice, share ideas and insights as we work together to strengthen the faith of our children. For permission to participate in this discussion forum, please contact Mother Mary at [email protected] |
activity CornerFamily Activity
One of the challenges of faith is to recognize God’s plan for us and to remain open to God’s will and God’s actions in our world. Filled with God’s grace, Mary models for us the kind of faith that is needed to cooperate in God’s plan of salvation. Like Mary, we are given the awesome opportunity to cooperate in God’s saving plan. On this final Sunday of Advent, our Gospel invites us to consider how our preparations for Christmas have made us more aware of God’s grace working in our lives.Gather together your family and talk about what you have been doing as a family to prepare for Christmas. How have these preparations helped you to better celebrate the central mystery of Christmas, the Incarnation? Our Gospel today talks about how Mary was prepared for her role in Christ’s birth. Read today’s Gospel, Luke 1:26-38. Consider the question: What enabled Mary to say yes to God? Which of your Advent activities have made you more aware of God’s grace in your life? Conclude in prayer together that God’s grace will enable your family to be more faithful and obedient to God. Pray together the Magnificat. Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.
Materials Needed
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