Advent & Christmas Season

week 1

Hope

Purple is the primary color associated with Advent. Within the Catholic Church it symbolizes penance, preparation, and sacrifice. During the first week of Advent, we look forward to Jesus’ coming with hope.

week 2

Peace

During this second week of Advent, we reflect on our lives and work on becoming better-versions-of-ourselves in preparation for Jesus’ coming.

week 3

Joy

This third candle is rose, symbolizing anticipation and rejoicing. During the third week of Advent, we are filled with joy for the near arrival of Jesus on Christmas day.

week 4

Love

During this final week of Advent we rejoice in the endless love that God has for us, which is made apparent in the birth of his Son.
 

At-Home Activities

  • Advent Wreath: place on your table and light the candles each night. Pray together and sing O Come O Come Emmanuel. Be sure to bless your advent wreath using this blessing.
  • Advent Calendar: a wonderful visual for children to count down the days leading to Christmas.
  • Jesse Tree: lots of ideas and resources online for this. It is a fantastic way to learn about Jesus’ ancestors and the Biblical events leading up to His birth. Click here for more about the Jesse Tree.
  • Nativity Scene: this tradition started by St. Francis is a perfect visual to remind everyone about the meaning of Christmas. Say a blessing over your nativity set and maybe wait to add baby Jesus to the manger until Christmas morning!
  • Special Sunday Advent Dinners: fix a special dinner every Sunday in Advent. Read aloud a Christmas story, Saints story, Scripture passage or Advent devotion. Say prayers together as a family.
  • O Antiphons: from the Liturgy of the Hours, these antiphons are sung or recited at evening prayer from December 17 to 23, the octave before Christmas. Each antiphon welcomes the birth of the Savior by heralding one of the ancient Biblical titles given to the Messiah (as prophesied in the OT). Click here for the antiphons.
  • Read Christmas & Advent books to your children: Here and Here are two wonderful book lists!
  • Celebrate Saints’ Feast Days: There are many wonderful feast days during Advent. Click here for a list. You could keep it as simple as reading about the life of the saint over dinner; or make it a more elaborate celebration with ideas you find online.
  • Sacrifices for the Christ Child: fill an empty “manger” during the season of Advent – one piece of straw placed for every sacrifice or good deed. Baby Jesus will have a soft manger when he arrives on Christmas from all the good works performed during Advent! Click here for more.

Christmas Mass Times

Christmas Eve
5:00pm, 8:00pm and 11:00pm

Christmas Day
10:00am, 1:00pm (Spanish)