A busy Catholic's guide to Advent: 10 tips for observing the season Nov 30, CNS-Creche c. Read some sort of short, daily devotion. Get some quiet time. And in this spirit … 3. It's OK to say no. Don't forget the Advent music. Decorate, even a little. And, at the very least … 6. Light an Advent wreath. Got a young kid or two? Add a Christmas book to bedtime reading list. Support an organization that works for social justice. Consider the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Reflect on the "three comings of the Lord.
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And Advent calendars are reused all the time. When I was growing up, the Advent calendar in our house had a picture of Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in the manger, with little windows that we opened and read aloud — each contained a verse from the Christmas story.
Other people had Advent calendars that held a piece of chocolate to be eaten each day. Advent calendars in one form or another were adapted some time in the 19th century by German Lutherans as a way to mark the days of the season leading up to Christmas.
By the early 20th century, calendars were being manufactured and published in Germany, aimed at delighting kids during the holidays. In , a full-color calendar was produced by the Third Reich for distribution to German mothers; it included, among other things, designs that incorporated swastikas and other Nazi symbols.
On one day, it has pictures that appear to tell the traditional Christmas story — Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus in the manger — but the text that accompanies the images is about a woodcutter, a soldier, and a king who get lost in the woods and encounter a woman with a baby who has wise words for them.
Following the war, with cardboard no longer rationed, Christian-themed Advent calendars made their way stateside thanks to the boom in production and the GIs who sent them home to their families. They got a boost in popularity when Newsweek published a photograph of President Dwight D. Advent calendars have remained popular in the years since, often marketed with the suggestion that they help children count down the days to Christmas, presumably to keep them from bugging their parents every day about how many days are left until they can open presents.
Sometimes pockets in the calendar can be filled by parents with toys or treats, small gifts to satiate the excited child. One can detect some commonality between this and traditions around gift giving during Hanukkah. As such, Advent calendars aimed at children abound.
Parents can help children put together a charm bracelet , or let them discover the art of Norman Rockwell.
There are chocolate Advent calendars in all shapes and sizes. There are calendars with puffy, soft shapes that slowly form a nativity scene or depict the adventures of Olaf from Frozen. Participants can buy all kinds of Jesse Tree ornament sets, from rustic wooden ones to whimsical felt ones , or just make their own. Today, Advent calendars are available for virtually any taste, interest, or price point. Many Advent calendars serve as a way for brands to deliver 24 samples of their products into the hands of potential customers — not a bad marketing move in a month typically associated with spending money.
This is in keeping with custom: The first chocolate Advent calendar was produced by Cadbury in Among the Advent calendars aimed at disposable-income-laden adults, there are calendars for Godiva chocolate , Diptyque scents , Sephora beauty products , Bonne Maman jams and honeys , and dog treats. Or you can sample a variety of themed products: jerky , whisky , gin , scotch, rum , craft beer , cheese , and candles.
Music lovers can download a musical Advent calendar app from Naxos , and web design geeks can indulge in the digital 24 Ways Advent calendar , which dispenses design and coding advice over the 24 days leading up to Christmas. Some towns — like the English city of Henley-on-Thames — create living Advent calendars.
In a very cool custom I think the US ought to adopt immediately, some Nordic countries traditionally show an Advent television series, called a Julekalender , beginning on December 1 and running until Christmas Eve — think of it as a limited miniseries. The tradition started on radio in and first ran on Swedish television in An American radio show called The Cinnamon Bear was broadcast in the late s and early s, and was similarly arranged — six times a week from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
But though Advent customs differ, they all circle back to adventus: the anticipation of something. Nicholas Day: The feast of St. Nicholas is on Dec. It is a highlight of the Advent season. Each child puts out a shoe the night before St. Nicholas Day in the hope that the kind bishop with his miter, staff, and bag of gifts will pay a visit.
The current Santa Claus is modeled after St. Nicholas, but commercialism has tarnished the true story. Many families give gifts on both Dec. Read about St. Nicholas in your favorite saints book. The Christ candle: Any large white candle can be used for the Christ candle. The idea is to decorate it with symbols for Christ. Use old Christmas cards, sequins, holly, etc.
The candle can be lit on Christmas Eve to show that the Light of the World has arrived. Then continue to light the Christ candle throughout the year at Sunday dinner to remind your family of our waiting for Christ, as well as celebrating His birth and Resurrection.
The Mary candle: Some families have the custom of decorating the Christ candle with a blue veil on December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. On this great feast, others place a candle with a blue ribbon before a statue or picture of the Blessed Virgin, whose yes to God enabled our Lords coming at Christmas.
The candle is lit during meal times to serve as a delightful reminder of Marys eager expectation of the Light of the World. It can also serve as a reminder to each family member to keep their own light of grace burning as a preparation for Christs coming.
Lucy cakes: The feast of St. Lucy, virgin and martyr, is on December 13th. This marks the opening of the Christmas season in Sweden.
Her life story can be found in most saints books, as can the recipe for the traditional cakes. The symbolism is rich and her life story worthwhile reading. The Nativity scene: This is the event in which the entire family shares setting up the Christmas manger.
Mary and Joseph should be far off traveling and their approach to Bethlehem can be adjusted daily. Older children can make life-size Nativity models, carve them, cut them out from cardboard, or set up pre-made figurines.
The creative ideas are without limit. Make sure to place the Nativity scene where many can admire the childrens efforts to give God glory. Christmas baking: There are many recipe books available to find great traditional Christmas baking ideas. See recommended reading below. The baking usually starts around December 20th. As Christmas approaches, the house will smell of baking and fresh wreaths. The glory of Christmas is at hand!
Move the manger to a focal point, add lights to the Nativity to be lighted on Christmas Eve, and anticipate together. Blessing of the tree: More and more frequently families are blessing their Christmas trees. It is good to remind children that the tree relates to many aspects of our faith.
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