Making Advent MeaningfulResources for Catholic Families to live an Intentional Advent

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancientexpectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, thefaithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor's birth and

martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: "He must increase, but I must decrease”(Catechism of the Catholic Church 524)

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016

Advent Customs, Traditions and Devotions

1. Advent Wreath and Candles

2. Jesse Tree

3. Saint Andrew Novena/Christmas Anticipation Prayer

4. Kris Kringles/Secret Santas

5. Feast of Saint Nicholas

6. Other Saints and Feast Days of Advent

7. Picture Book tradition

8. Visit to a farm

9. O Antiphons

10. Sacrifice/Good Deed Manger for Baby Jesus

11. Works of Mercy

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016

List of Advent Books, Devotionals and Music

Advent Books and Devotionals for Mom and Dad

Come Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Art of Waiting – Mother Mary Francis

Magnificat Advent Companion

Donkey Bells – by Catherine Doherty

Meditations for Advent – Bishop Bossuet

In Conversation with God, Daily Meditations Vol 1: Advent and Christmastide

Advent Music

Advent at Ephesus – the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Voice of Joy – Friar Alessandro

Christmas in Harvard Square – The Boys of Saint Paul’s Choir School

Handel’s Messiah

Noel- The Priests

Gregorian Chant for Advent

O Night Divine - L’Angelus

Family Devotionals

Jesse Tree readings (Salvation history)

Jotham’s Journey by Arnold Ytreeide

Bartholomew’s Passage by Arnold Ytreeide

Tabitha’s Travels by Arnold Ytreeide

Children’s Picture Book List

Christmas Cobwebs by Odds Bodkins

The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown

Strega Nona’s Gift by Tomie de Paola

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey by Susan Woiciechowski

Oranges for Frankie by Patricia Polacco

The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan

Saint Nicholas by Julie Steigemeyer

The Baker’s Dozen by Aaron Shepard

The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl Buck

Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco

The Donkey’s Dream by Barbara Helen Berger

The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie de Paola

The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg

War Game: Village Green to No Man’s Land by Michael Foreman

The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie de Paola

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016

Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker

Papa Panov’s Special Day by Leo Tolstoy (Mig Holder/Julie Downing)

The First Christmas Stocking by Elizabeth Winthrop

The Night of Las Posadas by Tomie de Paola

Silent Night by Will Moses

Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt

The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry

The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden

Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson

Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

Mary Engelbreit’s Nutcracker by Mary Engelbreit

Bambinelli Sunday by Amy Welborn

The Night of Las Posadas byTomie de Paola

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Jim Weiss CD)

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016

List of Web Resources

1. Free printable Jesse Tree Ornaments and Readings

http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/FRIDGE1.HTM

http://michelequigley.com/2010/11/the-jesse-tree/

2. Saint Nicholas activities, stories and printables

http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/home/

3. O Antiphons Coloring Pages

http://michelequigley.com/2010/12/o-antiphons/

4. O Antiphons Prayer Companion

http://familyfeastandferia.com/wp-

content/uploads/2015/12/O_antiphons_prayer_companion_rev2015.pdf

5. Advent Wreath prayers

http://familyfeastandferia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/advent-wreath-prayers-new-

translation3.pdf

6. Christmas Season Prayer Companion

http://familyfeastandferia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Christmas_Prayer_Companion_master.pdf

7. Advent Calendar for Kids

(watch site for 2016 update)

http://familyfeastandferia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Advent_cards_2015.pdf

8. Organized Christmas http://christmas.organizedhome.com//

9. Catholic Culture http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/seasons/advent/

10. Liturgical year cooking and recipes http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016

Saint Andrew Novena (Christmas Anticipation Prayer)

Beginning on St. Andrew the Apostle's feast day, November 30, the following beautiful prayer is

traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us

increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His

coming.

Hail and blessed be the hour and momentIn which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016

Advent Wreath Prayers (from the Collects)

(To be said each evening when lighting the Advent candles)

Prayer for First Week of AdventGrant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ withrighteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy topossess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and

reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Second Week of AdventAlmighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to

meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company.Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Third Week of AdventO God, who sees how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us,we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemnworship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns

with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Fourth Week of AdventPour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the

Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by hisPassion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016

Saint Nicholas Prayer for Children

Saint-Nicolas Postcard, France

St Nicholas Center Collection

From the St. Nicholas Center, www.stnicholascenter.org

God, we pray that through theintercessions of St. Nicholas

you will guide and protect our children.

Keep them safe from all harmand help them grow to become

loving disciples of Jesus in your sight.

Give them strength to always matureinto deeper faith in you,

and to keep alive joy in your creation.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

—by Father David R. Engbarth, St. Nicholas Church, Aurora, Illinois

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016

Saint Lucy Prayer

"Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, forall the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still

called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have thecourage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our

conversation - every corner of our day. Amen."

(from http://www.catholic.org/)

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016

Shopping Resources

Advent CandlesAdvent Candles at Our Lady of Hope bookstore Beeswax Advent Candles made by the Summit Dominicans

https://summitdominicans.3dcartstores.com/ADVENT-CANDLES-_p_232.htmlMake your own beeswax Advent candle kithttp://www.illuminatedink.com/products/4/12/623/

Advent wreathsOur Lady of Hope bookstoreThe Paschal LambLeaflet Missal - https://www.leafletonline.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=advent+wreathMake your own with supplies from Michaels or Joann Fabrics

Jesse Tree itemsJesse Tree treasures https://www.etsy.com/shop/JesseTreeTreasures

Saint Nicholas itemsCookie cutters https://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/cookie-cutters/Stickers https://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/stickers/

Toy figure https://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/little-figures/

Gifts, Books, CDs and other Advent itemsSacred Heart Books and Gifts https://www.sacredheartbooksandgifts.com/index.php?

m=4&s=0&mc=55&sc=0Holy Heroes store http://www.holyheroes.com/Default.asp

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016