Advent Activities & Resources
Advent is a time to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Advent traditions hold deep significance because they offer a way to celebrate and understand the true meaning of Christmas. Advent reminds us that the season is not only about lights, gifts, and parties, but also about reflection, anticipation, and spiritual renewal. When we understand the meaning behind these traditions, they stop being just rituals and become powerful reminders about the true meaning of Christmas.
​
We invite you and your family to find deeper meaning in this Advent season. Practices such as lighting the Advent wreath, Eucharistic Adoration, and engaging in prayer and acts of kindness help us slow down and focus on hope, peace, and the joy of the season. Below are a few suggestions...
Prepare Your Hearts and Minds
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Monday, December 8, with Mass times at 7:00 am, 11:00 am, and 5:30 pm
The Immaculate Conception celebrates Mary who was conceived without original sin to be the perfect vessel for Jesus. It is a holy day of obligation and prepares the way for anticipating the birth of Christ.
Teens for Christ - Advent Series
December 7, 14 and 21, at 6:00 pm
Join us Sundays during Advent for liturgical Bible study. All teens in grades 6 through 12 are invited to attend the series. Dinner, brownies, and ativities are included.
Monthly Eucharistic Adoration
Advent Penance Service
Thursday, December 11, from 7:00 - 8:00 pm
Prepare your hearts for the coming of Christ. We will have 10 priests available to hear your confessions.
Our regular monthly adorations are held:
-
The first Friday of every month at 9:00 am
-
Last Sunday of every month at 2:00 pm
Family Eucharistic Adoration
Saturday, December 13, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Bring the whole family for a holy hour with Jesus (and Father Templeton). There will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, songs, incense, time for silent prayer, and benediction. Children of all ages are welcome (it's okay if they are wiggly)! This counts towards Confirmation faith and service hours as well.
Activity
The Advent Wreath
For many Christians, Advent wreaths are a favorite way to celebrate the month of December
leading up to Christmas. Although Advent wreaths are popular among Christians, many are
not aware of the rich meaning and symbolism.
​
Four Weeks of Advent
During the first two weeks of Advent, we light the first two purpose candles. The third
Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. On this day we celebrate that our
waiting for the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day is almost over. And on the fourth Sunday of Advent, the final purple candle is lit to mark the final week of prayer and penance.
​
Darkness & Light
Advent candles demonstrate the contrast between darkness and light. In the Bible, Christ is referred to as the "Light of the World," contrasted with the darkness of sin. As his Advent, or "coming", draws near, another candle is lit, with each candle dispelling the darkness a little more.
​
Shape, Number & Color
Shape: The circular shape of the wreath, without beginning or end, symbolizes God's complete and unending love for us.
Number: The Advent Wreath traditionally holds four candles, which are lit, one at a time, on each of the four Sundays of the Advent season. Each candle represents 1,000 years. Together, the four candles symbolize the 4,000 years humanity waited for the Savior.
Color: Violet is a liturgical color used to signify a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice and is used during Advent and Lent. Advent, also called "little Lent," is the season where we spiritually wait in darkness with hopeful expectation for our promised redemption.
​
Read the complete description at The Advent Wreath Tradition and Meaning.
​
​
​
Resources
Download The Ascension App
Waiting Well Advent with Fr. Mike Schmitz
Beginning Nov. 30, a 26-day video series will guide viewers on becoming aware of how God is shaping them through seasons of waiting and how to wait well. Each day, a five-minute video will be released featuring a reflection from Schmitz that unpacks the daily Mass reading, Scripture verses, catechism excerpts, and reflection questions, encouraging participants to go deeper into the meaning of Advent. See https://ascensionpress.com/pages/waiting-well-downloadable-resources​
Tune into Formed.org
You have a free subscription to Formed through St. Luke!
-
Go to Formed.org, and select "Formed for Parishes."
-
On the next screen, select "Find Your Parish Subscription." If you haven't created an account, you will be prompted to do so.
We recommend the following programs. The link is in the title of the program.
In How to Advent, you'll discover the rich traditions that mark this season and how they help us prepare our hearts for Christmas. Guided by priests, religious, professors, and a charismatic host, you will gain practical tips and spiritual reflection on the practices of the Advent calendar, Advent wreath, Jesse Tree, and nativity scene.
The True Meaning of Christmas with Dr. Michael Barber
Do you love Christmas traditions but don’t know where they come from? Tune in for Dr. Michael Patrick Barber’s Advent reflections called “The True Meaning of Christmas” and learn the meaning behind your favorite Christmas pastimes.
​
Adore: Advent with Fr. John Burns
You have a choice this Advent: Get caught up in the annual rush of shopping, decorating, and parties or slow down and take a few minutes each day to remember who this season is really about—Jesus.
In Adore, popular author and speaker Fr. John Burns and illustrator Valerie Delgado of Pax.Valerie will help you reclaim the sacred sense of longing and joyful hope at the heart of Advent, focusing on a new theme each week—vigilance, preparation, nearness, and Emmanuel—that you can relate to your own life.
Rooted: Rediscover the Jessee Tree with Dr. Scott Hefelfinger
In just seven minutes a day, explore Scripture, uncover the stories of Christ's ancestors, and experience meaningful Advent reflections that connect faith to your daily life.
Hallow Music
The Advent Playlist on the Hallow App is free! The link is https://hallow.com/blog/christmas-music-traditional-religious/ and it will ask you to set up an account for free. Listen to songs from Gwen Stefani, the Benedictines of Mary, and more
For the Children
Holy Heroes - Advent Adventures: https://tinyurl.com/HolyHero
Catholic Sprouts (Podcast and Ministry): https://catholicsprouts.com/advent-christmas-resources/