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CELEBRATE ADVENT
“Behold I am sending my messenger; He will prepare the way before you.” (Mt.11:10)
As we joyfully and prayerfully prepare for the birth of Jesus, let us contemplate the many graces of this holy time. As believers in the gospel, we, too, are called to prepare the way of the Lord. Let’s try harder to be like Jesus in all we say and do and may our actions be an example of Jesus’ love to all we meet.
SUNDAY, Nov. 29: Purchase or make an advent wreath, consisting of greens, a Styrofoam floral ring and 4 candles. (a kit is available at Amazon.com and the Google ads have places to purchase a ready-made wreath/centerpiece)) Place the wreath in a prominent place in your home. For many families it is the centerpiece on their kitchen or dining room table. This week light the first candle every day during your mealtime.
 
As you light the first candle on your Advent wreath, the candle of HOPE, pray:
“Lord, our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus: He is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples; He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us; He is the Savior of every nation. Lord, God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candle of this wreath. AMEN.”
Sing together “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
MONDAY, Nov. 30: FEAST OF ST. ANDREW
St. Andrew was a fisherman. He followed John the Baptist and met Jesus. St. Andrew became Jesus’ first disciple. Jesus called Andrew to be a “fisher of men”. It was Andrew who said to Jesus, Here is a boy with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish.”
We, too, are called to be fishers of men! Help spread the gospel in your words and actions. What will you do?
TUESDAY, Dec. 1:
“Only when I serve my neighbor can my eyes be opened to what God does for me and how much He loves me.” (Pope Benedict XVI)
Each time anyone in your family notices someone doing something nice this week, he/she writes it down on a slip of paper, folds it and puts it in a special “Kindness Matters” container.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2:
Jesus went along by Lake Galilee. He climbed a hill and sat down. Large crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, those who couldn’t speak and many other sick people, whom they placed at Jesus’ feet; He healed them … and the people were amazed. (Mt. 15:29-31)
Pray for those who are sick and/or visit someone who is homebound.
THURSDAY, Dec. 3: FEAST of ST. FRANCIS XAVIER
St. Francis Xavier was one of 7 who founded the Society of Jesus. He was a Jesuit Missionary who, in India, converted tens of thousands, to Christianity. He is the Patron Saint of Missions.
As a family, learn a few facts about a different culture. Imagine and discuss what it would be like to bring the gospel message to this culture.
FRIDAY, Dec. 4:
Oh my God, relying on your infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins, the help of your grace, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
Perform a random act of kindness for someone at work, school, church, or your community.
SATURDAY, Dec. 5:
"You people who live in Jerusalem will not weep any more. The Lord is compassionate, and when you cry to him for help, he will answer you. The Lord will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him. If you wander off the road…you will hear his voice saying, “Here is the road. Follow it.” (Isaiah 30:19-21)
Share with each other how you think God helps you know the right thing to do to follow His ways. Read the slips of paper from your “Kindness Matters” container.
2nd Sunday of Advent, Dec. 6, 2009
Light 2 candles on the advent wreath. The second candle is the candle of PEACE. Light the wreath every day this week at mealtime.
"So John went throughout the whole territory of the Jordan River, preaching, 'Turn away from your sins and be baptized, and God will forgive your sins.'” (Luke 3:3 )
Making popcorn is lots of fun and is a great way to remember baptismal signs and symbols:
There is a special kind of corn called “pop” by name (I have called you by NAME; you are mine); heated with OIL (when you were baptized, you were marked with holy oil and the prayer we prayed was that you would live as Jesus did); over a FLAME (during the Baptism ceremony we light a candle as a sign of Jesus as the light of life); we see a change and the kernels now wear a GARMENT OF WHITE (a sign that you had put on Jesus); WATER quenches our thirst! (Water is the sign of life to people everywhere, a sign that when we are baptized we share God’s life.)
Make batches of popcorn – some to eat and some, when it is stale, a few days later, to string to decorate your Christmas tree or to place on an outside tree for the birds!
MONDAY, Dec. 7, 2009 FEAST of ST. AMBROSE
Decisiveness, solid experience, wisdom, and a noble heart reveal great leaders. St. Ambrose had these qualities in a high degree. St. Ambrose will guide you to place service to God and neighbor as the first choice when you seek his counsel. Better yet, pray to St. Ambrose to assist you in the decision-making process.
Challenge your family to fill a box or bag with items to give away; decide as a family where to make your donation.
TUESDAY, Dec. 8, 2009
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
“…Don’t be afraid, Mary. God has been gracious to you. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call him Jesus.”(Luke1:30-31)
Pray that all people respect the dignity of all human life.
String popcorn together!
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 9, 2009 FEAST of ST. JUAN DIEGO
On December 9, 1531 Juan Diego rose before dawn to walk fifteen miles to daily Mass in what is now Mexico City. Juan lived a simple life as a weaver, farmer, and laborer. That morning he heard music and saw a glowing cloud encircled by a rainbow. A woman's voice called him to the top of the hill. There he saw a beautiful woman dressed like an Aztec princess. She was the Virgin Mary and she asked Juan to tell the bishop to build a church on that site. She said, "… in the church I can be present and give my love, compassion, help, … to hear your laments and defense… to remedy all your misery, pains and sufferings.”
THURSDAY, Dec. 10, 2009
I am the Lord your God; I strengthen you and tell you, ‘Do not be afraid: I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13)
Dear Jesus,
We turn over our troubled hearts and burdens to You this day and receive Your hope and peace. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Take turns sharing when each family member may have felt afraid and how praying to God may help us not be so afraid.
FRIDAY, Dec. 11, 2009
The holy God of Israel, the Lord who saves you, says: “I am the Lord your God, the one who wants to teach you for your own good and direct you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:17)
Enjoy a family and/or friends’ night with dinner and games, stories, or a sing-along!
SATURDAY, Dec. 12, 2009 FEAST of OUR LADY of GUADALUPE
A beautiful lady appeared to Juan Diego when he was on his way to church. When he told his story to the bishop, the bishop asked him to return and ask the lady for a miraculous sign to prove her claim as the Virgin Mary. The Virgin told Juan Diego to gather some flowers, and even though it was winter, he found roses! He gathered
them, and the Virgin herself re-arranged them in his tilma, or peasant cloak. When Juan Diego presented the roses to the Bishop, the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe miraculously appeared imprinted on the cloth of Diego's tilma! Today, a church stands in this spot and many people make a pilgrimage there.
3rd Sunday of Advent, Dec. 13, 2009
Light 3 candles on the advent wreath. The 3rd candle is the candle of LOVE. Remember to light the candles each day during mealtime.
John (the Baptist) said, “Whoever has two shirts must give one to the man who has none, and whoever has food must share it.” (Luke 3:11)
Have each family member choose things from their closet to give to the less fortunate.
Assemble a bag of canned goods to give to the Food Pantry.
Have a family bake night! Together make a batch of Christmas Cookies!
MONDAY, Dec. 14, 2009 FEAST of ST. John of the CROSS, Carmelite friar and priest: "Where there is no love, put love -- and you will find love."
Together, as a family, make homemade Christmas cards to send to a few family members or close friends.
Dear Lord, We ask for the power of God’s love to be at work in us so we can do vastly more than we think or imagine. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
TUESDAY, Dec. 15, 2009
During Bible times, shepherds were usually thought of as outcasts. They were thought to be “unclean”. They were poor and often suspected to be thieves. It is astonishing that God chose these people to be the first to hear the good news about Jesus. Do you really get how much God loves us?! God loves us so much that He sent His own Son, Jesus, for each of us!
This Advent and Christmas, share the good news!
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16, 2009
Pray: O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul, because you are all good and worthy of all my love. I love my neighbor as myself for the love of you. I forgive all who have injured me and ask pardon from all whom I have injured. Amen.
Find out about and share the story of St. Nicholas, who spent his life giving away every bit of his inheritance in Christian charity. What legends tell what he did to become known as a giver of gifts?
THURSDAY, Dec. 17, 2009
Oh, God, our Father, thank you for this day. We are waiting for your Son to come to us. Help us to see Him when He comes to us in the love of our families, and in all we meet
in the coming days. Come, Lord Jesus, come! Amen.
Make a Birthday Box for Jesus:
Each family member writes a letter or draws a picture for Jesus. Say anything in your hearts – things you are thankful for, things you are worried about, etc.
Place them all in a box, wrap the box and place it under the Christmas tree. Open on Christmas and share!
FRIDAY, Dec. 18, 2009
…an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “…do not be afraid to take Mary to be your wife…she will have a Son, and you will name him Jesus – because He will save His people from their sins.” (Mt.1:20-21)
Take turns finishing this sentence:
Christmas is ...
Mom and Dad share their favorite Christmas as a child.
SATURDAY, Dec. 19, 2009
Dear Jesus, by the power of your Spirit within us, enlighten us and empower us to love as You love. In your name, we pray. Amen.
As a family, take a walk or drive and look at Christmas lights! When you get back home, watch a Christmas movie together.
4th Sunday of Advent, Dec. 20, 2009
Light 4 candles on your Advent wreath. The 4th candle is the candle of JOY.
O, God, thank you for this day and the warmth and joy we feel this Christmas season. How grateful we are at Jesus’ birthday soon to come! Continue to guide us towards a holy celebration of this special time! Amen.
Do something together, as a family: make a special dinner, wrap gifts, take cookies to a neighbor, go Christmas caroling …
MONDAY, Dec. 21, 2009
God of love and mercy, in this season of Christmas we offer you our thanks and praise.
We want to spread the word of peace you give us through Jesus Christ. May the birth of your Son overcome human suffering, calm our fears, and bring peace to our homes, our family and the world. Amen.
Read aloud the story of the birth of Jesus, from the Bible or from a picture book.
Pass out to family members all the figures from the Nativity set and then ask each to share what that character of the Christmas story gave, because of love.
TUESDAY, Dec. 22, 2009
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England weren’t allowed to practice their faith. To keep their beliefs alive and not forgotten, LEGEND has it that someone wrote “The 12 Days of Christmas” as a catechism song for young Catholics. Supposedly, it had a hidden meaning known only to members of the Church.
A partridge in a pear tree = Jesus.
2 turtle doves = the Old and New Testaments.
3 French hens = faith, hope, & love, and the Trinity.
4 calling birds = gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
5 gold rings = the first 5 books of the Old Testament.
6 geese a-laying = 6 days of creation.
7 swans a-swimming = 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit and the 7 sacraments.
8 maids a-milking = 8 beatitudes.
9 ladies dancing = the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit.
10 lords a-leaping = 10 commandments.
11 pipers piping = 11 faithful disciples.
12 drummers drumming = 12 points of belief in the Apostles Creed.
Interesting story, even if it isn’t true!
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 23, 2009 FEAST of ST. JOHN of KANTY
John had been kicked out of his university position -- unjustly. Rivals who resented John's popularity with the students had cooked up a false charge against him. John was not even allowed to appear at his own hearing or testify in his own defense. So at age 41, he was shipped off to be an apprentice pastor. The parishioners were hostile. But John let his genuine interest and concern for these people show in everything he did. Eventually, with good humor, patience, kindness, and love he won them over.
Prayer:
Saint John of Kanty, you were unjustly fired from your work. Please pray for those who are jobless or in danger of losing their jobs that they may find work that is fulfilling in every way. Guide us to ways to help those looking for work. Amen
John put all his effort into a new and frightening job, which others might have considered beneath them. Today, do something you have never done before or do something in a new way, perhaps something that has frightened you or you felt was beneath you. Give it some thought…
THURSDAY, Dec. 24, 2009 CHRISTMAS EVE
As your family sits in front of your Advent wreath with the candles lit, each says aloud a little prayer of thanksgiving to God for the gift of His Son.
Read together the Christmas cards your family has received.
May His gentle coming touch you with love, fill you with hope and enfold you in peace! Merry Christmas!
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