DECEMBER
We turn our attention indoors with Advent prayers and
preparations for the birth of Christ; for most of us, the indoors makes up the
part of our environment in which we spend the most time. It is also the most
unregulated and can be the most polluted part of the total environment –due to
new home cleaning products and tighter ventilation. Consider a simpler home
environment, where houseplants purify the air, where fresh air is plentiful,
and where chemical products are limited and controlled. The yearly cycle of
twelve months can make us more aware of our human environment and should help
us as individuals and as a community to conduct a monthly examination of
conscience.
Overview of December[1]
The liturgy of Advent focuses on
remembering Christ's first coming at Bethlehem which then directs our mind to
Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. The readings focus on the people of
the Old Testament awaiting the Messiah, John the Baptist, heralding the way for
Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary and her maternal preparations.
Feasts for December 2024
1. FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT, Sunday
3. Francis Xavier, Memorial
6. Nicholas, Opt. Mem.
7. Ambrose, Memorial
8. SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT, Sunday
9. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY,
Solemnity
11. Damasus I, Opt. Mem.
12. Our Lady of Guadalupe (USA), Feast
13. Lucy, Memorial
14. John of the Cross, Memorial
15. THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT, GAUDETE
SUNDAY, Sunday
21. Peter Canisius; O Dayspring; Ember
Saturday, Opt. Mem.
22. FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT, Sunday
23. John of Kanty; O Emmanuel, Opt.
Mem.
25. NATIVITY OF THE LORD (Christmas),
Solemnity
26. Stephen, Feast
27. John, Apostle, Feast
28. Holy Innocents, Feast
29. Feast of the Holy Family, Feast
31. Seventh Day in the Octave of
Christmas; Sylvester I , Opt. Mem.
Christmastide begins with the First
Vespers (Evening Prayer) of Christmas on December 24th and ends on the Sunday
after Epiphany. Christmas and Easter are the only solemnities with octaves
attached in the revised calendar. The Christmas octave differs from Easter in
that it includes some major feasts: St. Stephen (December 26), St.
John the Evangelist (December 27), the Holy Innocents (December 28)
and St. Sylvester I (December 31). The octave closes on
January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
The Reason for the Season
The month of December is filled with expectation and
celebration. Preparation is the key word for the first 24 days of December.
Everyone is getting ready for Christmas — shopping and decorating, baking and
cleaning. Too often, however, we are so busy with the material preparations
that we lose sight of the real reason for our activity.
Christmas is a Christian feast — and we must reclaim it as
such! In the same way that a family eagerly prepares for a baby, so in Advent
should we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. We should keep Advent as
a season of waiting and longing, of conversion and of hope and keep our
thoughts on the incredible love and humility of our God in taking on the flesh
of the Virgin Mary. Let us not forget to prepare a peaceful place in our hearts
wherein our Savior may come to dwell.
The best person we can turn to for help during Advent is
Mary, Christ's and our Mother. She awaited the day of His birth with more
eagerness than any other human being. Her preparation was complete in every
respect. Let's crown our preparation and borrow something of Mary's
prayerfulness, her purity and whole-hearted submission to God's will.
December
Travel and Events[2]
Thur. Dec. 5 National
Christmas Tree
Kick off the month with a tour of the National Christmas
Tree. Located on the White House’s South Lawn, a towering 40-foot evergreen
spruce has been a seasonal fixture of the nation’s capital since 1923.
San Antonio River Walk
Keep the Christmas spirit
going in San Antonio. Every December, more than a mile of the San Antonio River Walk comes alive with over 100
underwater lights, as well as LED rope lighting crossing from one side of the
river to the other.
Hobbit Tour
Besides being a great time to visit (December is the start
of New Zealand’s summer season), the country has a Hobbit
movie set tour on upper North Island.
Ice Fishing,
Colorado Style
This December, put Colorado on your outdoors adventure map: Colorado's robust winters lure ice-fishing enthusiasts to gear up and head out for the thrill of the catch. Prime spots include Wolford Mountain Reservoir, a 1,550- acre reservoir, about 100 miles west of Denver.
The best ice fishing lakes in AZ include Show Low Lake,
Sunrise Lake and Rainbow Lake. The most popular species are rainbow trout,
brook trout and bluegill. See a list of lakes and species below.
Ice fishing is as basic as
fishing gets. During winter, it is popular here in the state. Aside from the
tools one uses to create a hole in the ice, all other gear is very basic. A
simple rod, reel, line and hook or lure is all you need. Lures, live bait and
prepared bait are options, depending on the fish species in the lake or pond.
Caribbean
Cruise: Early December
For an impromptu December getaway, set sail for the Caribbean. The first two weeks of December are your best bet for bargain prices on cruises and hotels, before fares rise come Christmas and New Year’s. Combine your warm winter escape with cool events, like the Bahamas International Film Festival.
Metro Phoenix: Apache Trail Tour with Canyon Lake Cruise
This full-day Apache Trail Tour gets to the heart of the Sonoran Desert with a combined cruise and drive. Glide across Canyon Lake, visit a ghost town and rest at an old wagon stop before the day is out.
Ballet Arizona takes the Symphony Hall
stage in grand fashion with this holiday classic. Celebrate the joy and wonder
of the season with Ib Andersen’s The Nutcracker
as Tchaikovsky’s cherished score is masterfully performed by The Phoenix Symphony. Follow
Clara’s wintry adventures as she battles mischievous mice and charms the Sugar
Plum Fairy. Whether this is your first Nutcracker or your 101st,
this heartwarming tradition never fails to enchant and draw smiles from all!
December 21 Stonehenge Winter Solstice
Take in the winter solstice at Stonehenge.
Every year, more than 5,000 people gather at the prehistoric monument in
Wiltshire, England, to mark the time when the sun appears at noon at its lowest
altitude above the horizon. Be sure to explore the new visitor center close to
the ancient site, too.
·
Winter
Solstice Night Hike-Tucson
Santa Claus House in North Pole
Just where does Santa Claus live? North Pole, Alaska, of course. Head to this small, wintery city in the heart of Alaska to see Santa Claus House. A storefront, built in the early 1950s, it’s the spot from which the Original Letter From Santa is mailed out, proclaiming the bearer to be “on Santa’s Good List.”
Flagstaff,
Arizona. North Pole Experience.
Your journey begins by boarding one of Santa's Magic Trolleys at the
breathtaking Little America Hotel. Your Trolley Elf will whisk your family away
and transport you through the Magic Portal to the enchanted North Pole
destination, Santa's Grand Workshop. Once you knock on Santa's Grand Workshop
doors, you'll experience a holiday family adventure unlike any other. First
stop is Santa's famous Toy Hall of Fame. Next, it's all hands on deck as you
help Santa's Elves build toys for children around the world!
Hit the Slopes
Hit the slopes this month at North America’s most popular
ski resort. In addition to being home to more groomed terrain than any other
resort in the world, Vail,
Colorado, boasts the country’s largest ski school for all skill levels. For
the more seasoned skier, head to Jackson
Hole, where over 90 percent of the trails fall into intermediate to expert
categories.
Christmas
Village in Philadelphia
Come December, the City of Brotherly Love transforms itself into a Christmas Village. This annual holiday market in Philadelphia’s LOVE Park features traditional German Christmas market items, displayed by more than 60 vendors in decorated booths and tents. Get your fill of holiday goodies like gingerbread cookies and mulled wine.
Iceman’s Calendar
·
December 1st First
Sunday of Advent
·
December 4th First
Wednesday
·
December 5th Thur. St. Nicolas Eve
·
December 6th MASS
First Friday
o
St. Nicolas
·
December 7th First
Saturday
o
Pearl Harbor Day
·
December 8th Second
Sunday of Advent
o Feast
of the Immaculate Conception
·
December 9th Mon. St.
Juan Diego
·
December 10th Tue. Our
Lady of Loreto
·
December 12th Thu. Our
Lady of Guadalupe
·
December 13th Fri. Santa
Lucia
·
December 15th Third
Sunday of Advent
o
Full Cold Moon
·
December 18th Ember
Wednesday
·
December 20th Ember
Friday
·
December 21st Feast
of the St. Thomas, Apostle
o Winter Solstice
·
December 22nd Fourth
Sunday of Advent
·
December 24th Tue.
Christmas Eve
o
Christmas
Eve Midnight Mass
·
December 25th Wed. Christmas
Day
o Chanukah
begins.
·
December 26th Feast
of St. Stephan
·
December 27th Feast
of St. John, the Apostle
·
December 28th The
Holy Innocents
·
December 29th St.
Thomas Becket
·
December 30th The
Holy Family
·
December 31st St. Sylvester
Advent and Christmas
The Advent season in the Northern Hemisphere is normally cold, dark and the days are short. Traditions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas have been established to help dispel the psychological fear that develops as a result of the darkness. However, in the Southern Hemisphere the days are long and warm.
This is a good time if you have the
means to take a winter’s break and go to a warmer climate to give you a chance
to create a brighter spirit. However, if this is not possible, we can greatly
reduce our fears by getting some sun for 10 or 15 minutes a day. Try to walk at
the brightest time of the day, or if you have a sun
Also spending some time exercising daily will definitely dispel our fears. We are both physical and spiritual and having a balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual activities will make us resilient to the darkness in the world. I find hiking a wonderful anecdote to the blues and fears.
It is also important to reach out to others. We can strengthen ourselves by being with and for others. No matter what your cultural background, this season will provide many ethnic opportunities to celebrate together. Think of the giant Redwoods, they are the largest trees in the world. These trees survive by intertwining their roots because the ground is so hard the Redwood cannot strike a taproot to hold itself up but by supporting each other they become the largest trees in the world.
Claire’s Corner-have a grateful heart
· Tecumseh died in Ohio near my home
o Start your day by picking up a red apple to munch on as you consider your outfit for Wear a Dress Day.
§ Sprinkle in some peppermint bark snacks to keep your energy up. Bring along a Christmas book for moments of relaxation and reflection. Spend time with your furry friend and celebrate the bond on National Twin With Your Dog Day.
· In the evening, create art pieces with cookie cutters or marvel at Christmas lights.
DECEMBER
1 First Sunday of Advent
Tobit, Chapter 14,
Verse 1-2
1
So the words of Tobit’s hymn of
praise came to an end. Tobit died in peace at the age of a hundred and twelve
and was buried with honor in Nineveh. 2 He was fifty-eight years old when
he lost his eyesight, and after he recovered it he lived in prosperity, giving
alms; he continued to FEAR God and
give thanks to the divine Majesty.
May
God in his grace open your eyes to your blessings! Tobit’s song of praise
focuses on giving praise to God who is all powerful and yet has a love for us
that grants us freedom and mercy.
Tobit[3]
- Tobit took
the angel’s words seriously. He prayed out loud and long,
proclaiming God’s great mercy to anyone who would listen. He also
prayed for his countrymen. If God could bring about such healing in
Tobit’s life, what more could he do for the people of Israel!
- Before he
died, he called Tobias (who now had seven sons) and told him to leave
Nineveh and to return to Media. He predicted the destruction of the
temple in Jerusalem as well as its restoration. When the temple
would be rebuilt, people would see and be converted to the one God.
- He made Tobias promise that he would leave the day his mother was buried.
A
Grateful Heart
Having
and retaining a grateful heart is the key to making right judgments and being a
person of character. John McCain highlights in his book, “Character is Destiny”
the life of the Native American war Chief Tecumseh as an example of a man that
never lost his gratitude in life. Tecumseh was a great Indian leader who lost a
war but taught even his enemies how to live. Everyone knew that the great
Tecumseh, fearless warrior and visionary, steadfast leader, did not tolerate
torture or murder, or suffer intentional harm to be done to innocents. He was a
man of honor. Even his enemies knew that, especially the man who had fought him
the longest, William Henry Harrison. However, as a youth Tecumseh was unnerved
in his first encounter with organized bloodletting and fled the battle. It was
the only time in his life his courage failed him. In a later raid near the end
of the war, the Shawnees attacked the crew of a flatboat on the Ohio River. All
but one of the crew was killed in the encounter. The lone survivor was dragged
ashore and burned at the stake. The atrocity left a deep mark on Tecumseh, who,
though he was too young to intervene in the victim’s behalf, denounced the
murder after it occurred, and swore he would never again remain silent in the
face of such an injustice. He would live and die determined to defend Indian
land from the insatiable appetites of American settlers. In the course of his
crusade, he became the greatest Indian leader of his time. Many would argue,
including Americans who fought him, that he was the greatest war chief of all
time. Raised by his older brother Chiksika, he took special care of his younger
brother Tecumseh. He taught him to hunt and fish, and to learn the fighting
skills of a Shawnee brave. He raised him to revere the memory of their
courageous father, and the virtues he had exemplified as a warrior who
preferred death to dishonor. There
was something in his character that repelled despair, finding in life, with all
its many tragedies, a reason to be thankful for the very fact that he could
remain true to himself. He was the kind of person for whom life was a gift that
could not be diminished by suffering, and it gave him a unique strength, a
confidence that was superior to most people. Tall and sinewy, with an erect
bearing, a superior skill at arms, exuding a sense of command, and possessing a
gift for oratory that earned him admirers even among his enemies, he was
renowned as a capable provider and protector of his clan, whose leadership had
an ever-broadening appeal to neighboring tribes. Tecumseh delivered an address
to his people as he prepared them for the coming struggle that has become
famous not only as a measure of his own character, but as a code of honor that
merits respect and emulation.
So, live your life that the fear of
death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect
others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life,
perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life
long and its purpose in the service of your people. Always give a word or a
sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a
lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in
the morning give thanks for the food and the joy of living. If you see no
reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no
thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with
the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a
little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your
death song and die like a hero going home.
On
the day of his final battle, never having despaired over the vicissitudes of
life, he would not do so now. He rose in the morning and gave thanks for the
joy of living. At the Battle of the Thames in Ontario on October 5, 1813,
British General Procter and his soldiers fled the field after the first volley
was fired. Tecumseh dispensed with his sword and British officer’s jacket, and
charged, as always, into the thick of the battle. When a musket ball shattered
his right leg, he told his braves to leave him. He kept fighting until a crowd
of American soldiers surrounded him.
ON KEEPING THE LORD'S DAY HOLY[4]
CHAPTER
I
DIES
DOMINI
The
Celebration of the Creator's Work
"God
blessed the seventh day and made it holy" (Gn 2:3)
14.
In the first place, therefore, Sunday is the day of rest because it is the day
"blessed" by God and "made holy" by him, set apart from the
other days to be, among all of them, "the Lord's Day".
In
order to grasp fully what the first of the biblical creation accounts means by
keeping the Sabbath "holy", we need to consider the whole story,
which shows clearly how every reality, without exception, must be referred back
to God. Time and space belong to him. He is not the God of one day alone, but
the God of all the days of humanity.
Therefore,
if God "sanctifies" the seventh day with a special blessing and makes
it "his day" par excellence, this must be understood within
the deep dynamic of the dialogue of the Covenant, indeed the dialogue of
"marriage". This is the dialogue of love which knows no interruption,
yet is never monotonous. In fact, it employs the different registers of love,
from the ordinary and indirect to those more intense, which the words of
Scripture and the witness of so many mystics do not hesitate to describe in imagery
drawn from the experience of married love.
First Sunday of Advent[5]
A sudden announcement that the lord is coming.
WHAT does Advent mean?
Advent means the coming and is used by the Church to represent the four thousand years of preparation for the coming of the Redeemer, and at the same time points us to His second coming as our judge.
When is the season of Advent?
The season of Advent comprises the four weeks preceding Christmas.
When was the first coming of our Redeemer?
When the Son of God was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and was made flesh, to sanctify the world by His coming.
Was a redeemer necessary?
Yes, for all men sinned in Adam, and needed to be reconciled to God.
Could not the just under the Old Law be saved before the coming of Christ?
Yes, through the expectation of Him and through His future merits all might be saved under the Old Law who made themselves worthy of the grace of Christ by innocence and penance, though they could not be admitted to heaven until Our Lord’s ascension.
When will be the second coming of Christ?
At the end of the world, when Christ will come with great power and majesty to judge the living and the dead.
Why has the Church appointed the holy season of Advent?
1. That we may consider the
wretched state of mankind before the coming of Christ, and bring before our
minds the mercy of God, Who sent His only-begotten Son down from heaven for our
redemption.
2. That we may prepare ourselves
worthily for Christmas, that Christ may then enter our hearts in the fulness of
His grace, to renew them and to dwell in them.
3. That we may prepare ourselves
for the second advent that He may be to us a merciful judge. “Watch ye,
therefore, because you know not what hour your Lord will come (St. Matt. xxiv.
42).
Prayer.
O God, Who hast brought joy to the world through Thy gracious advent, grant us, we beseech Thee, Thy grace, that we may prepare ourselves by sincere penance for its celebration and for the Last Judgment. Amen.
First Sunday of Advent
THIS is the first day of the ecclesiastical year; on it the Church begins to contemplate the coming of Our Savior, and, with the prophets, to long for Him; she exhorts the faithful to true penance for their sins, which oppose Christ’s entrance into their hearts; she sings, therefore, at the Introit of the Mass, in the words of the psalmist: “To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul.
Prayer.
Raise up Thy power, O Lord, we pray Thee, and come, that by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the threatening dangers of our sins, and to be saved by Thy deliverance. Amen.
EPISTLE. Rom. xiii. 11-14.
Brethren: Knowing the season, that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now, our salvation is nearer than when we believed. The night is passed, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy; but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.
What is understood here by sleep?
Sin, in which man, as if sunk in a torpor, no longer sees the light of the Gospel, no longer hears the warning of his conscience, neglects the means of salvation, and lives without care, until he awakes, alas! too late, as from a dream.
What is understood by night and day?
By night is to be understood ignorance, infidelity, and sin. The day represents faith, grace, and reconciliation with God.
What are the works of darkness?
All sin, especially that which is unknown to men, but seen and known by God, of Whose grace it deprives us.
What is the armor of light?
It consists in faith, hope, charity, and good works, the spiritual arms with which we have to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil.
What does it mean to put on the Lord Jesus Christ?
It means that Christians should
think, speak, and act like Jesus, adorning themselves by the imitation of Him
as with precious garments.
Prayer.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who became man for us, grant that we may in all things comply with the admonitions of this epistle; that we may arise from the slumber of our sins, and walk in the light of grace by the diligent performance of good works, and adorn our souls by putting on Thee, through the imitation of Thy virtues.
GOSPEL. Luke xxi. 25-33.
At that time Jesus said to His disciples: There shall be Signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves: men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world, for the powers of heaven shall be moved ; and then they shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with great power and majesty. But when these things begin to come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is at hand. And He spoke to them a similitude: See the fig-tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh. So, you also when you shall see these things come to pass, know that the kingdom of God is at hand. Amen I say to you, this generation shall not pass away till all things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.
Why does the Church cause this Gospel concerning the Last Judgment to be read to-day?
To prepare our hearts by penance for the coming of Jesus as our judge.
What signs shall precede the Last Judgment?
The sun shall be darkened, the moon shall not give light, the stars shall fall from heaven; the heavens themselves shall pass away with a great noise, the elements shall melt with heat, and the earth with all that is in it shall be burned up. At the command of God, the world shall be shaken to its center; fearful tempests shall arise; the sea and waves shall roar, and wild struggle and destruction take the place of quiet and order. Men shall wither away with fear, not knowing whither to fly. Then shall appear the holy cross, the sign of the Son of man a terror to sinners who have hated it, a consolation to- those who have loved it.
How will the Last Judgment begin?
At the command of God, the angels, with the round of the trumpet, shall summon all men to judgment (i. These, iv. 15). The bodies and souls of the dead shall be again united, and the wicked shall be separated from the righteous, the just on the right, the wicked on the left (St. Matt. xxv. 33). The angels and the devils will be present, and Christ Himself will appear in a bright cloud with such power and majesty that the wicked, for fear, will not be able to look at Him, but will say to the mountains, “Fall on us,” and to the hills, “Cover us” (St. Luke xxiii. 30).
Why will God hold a general and public judgment?
1. That all may know how just He
has been in the particular judgment of each one.
2. That justice may at last be
rendered to the afflicted and persecuted, while the wicked who have oppressed
the poor, the widow, the orphan, the religious, and yet have often passed for
upright and devout persons, may be known in their real characters and be
forever disgraced.
3. That Jesus Christ may
complete His redemption, and openly triumph over His enemies, who shall see the
glory of the Crucified, and tremble at His power.
How will the Last Judgment proceed?
The books will be opened, and from them all men will be judged; all their good and bad thoughts, words, and deeds, even the most secret, known only to God, will be revealed before the whole world, and according to their works men will be rewarded or be damned forever. The wicked shall go into everlasting punishment, but the just into life everlasting (St. Matt. xxv.46).
Exhortation.
The Church, during the season of Advent, reminds thee, O Christian, of the coming of Christ to judgment, that thou mayest with the more zeal apply thyself to profit by His first coming; for they only will be justified and glorified who have acknowledged and received Him as their Redeemer. Examine thyself, therefore, to-day, and during this week, whether thou hast believed in Him, loved Him, admitted Him into thy heart, and kept His holy commands. Begin at once penance and good works, that thou mayest with confidence await the judgment-day of the Lord.
Aspiration.
Thou art just, O Lord! and just is Thy judgment. Oh, penetrate my soul with holy fear, that I may be kept from evil deeds, and incited to good works. Would that I could say, with St. Jerome, “Whether I eat or drink, or whatever I do, it is as if I heard the awful summons of the trumpet, Ye dead, arise, and come to judgment!”
Customs and Folklore
In 490, Bishop Perpetuus of Tours officially declared Advent a penitential season in the Frankish Church of Western Europe, ordering a fast on three days of every week from November 11 (the feast of St. Martin of Tours) till Christmas. These forty days’ fast, similar to Lent, was originally called Quadragesima Sancti Martini (Forty Days' Fast of Saint Martin's). The Readings for the Eucharistic Liturgies were taken from the Masses of Lent.
By contrast, the Advent season of the Roman liturgy, developing a century after that of the Frankish Church, was a non-penitential, festive and joyful time of preparation for Christmas. When the Church unified the liturgical season, the non-penitential nature of the Roman Advent conflicted with the longer and penitential Gallic Advent. By the thirteenth century a compromise was reached, which combined the fasting and penitential character of the Gallic observance with the Mass texts and shorter four-week cycle of the Roman Advent liturgy. The liturgy of Advent remained substantially unaltered until Vatican II mandated a few minor changes to more clearly delineate the spirit of the Lenten and Advent seasons.
The most perfect way to embrace the spirit of Advent is to attend daily Mass and pray the Liturgy of the Hours. If this is not possible, try smaller goals, such as attending one extra mass during the week; praying the Saturday Evening Prayer with the family in preparation for Sunday; reading and discussing the readings of the Mass of the day with the family.
The members of the domestic church should also try to receive the Sacrament of Penance during the Advent season to prepare for the coming of Christ “for it is not possible coherently to celebrate the birth of him ‘who saves his people from their sins’ without some effort to overcome sin in one’s own life.” (Directory on Popular Piety, #105)
There are many customs that can be incorporated in the domestic church to teach and reinforce the Advent spirit. For example, the first Sunday of Advent is a good time for each family member to choose a secret "Christkindl" or Christ Child for whom he or she will perform little acts of love — such as a prayer, a small gift, a sacrifice, a note or a piece of candy — throughout Advent.
Another such Advent practice is that of having an empty crib or manger, which each family member will soften with straw earned by a sacrifice, a prayer or a work of mercy. After Christmas, the family will gather before the Infant Savior, in his now-padded crib, for their evening prayers or for Scripture reading.
In the Activities section you will find suggestions and directions for such customs as Preparing the Manger, an Advent Wreath, Christmas Novena, and the O Antiphons, the Jesse Tree and the Advent calendar. All these traditions involve a countdown, or some action performed each day in anticipation of Christ’s birth.
When employing new Advent customs within your domestic church it is important to remember that they are only aids, not goals in themselves. With joyful hope and anticipation, then, let us prepare for the coming of the Son of God, praying with the Church: Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay!
Additional Links
- Living the Liturgy in
the Home for Advent and Christmas
- The Advent Wreath
- Penitential Aspect
During Advent
- Gifts for Jesus,
the Advent Manger
- Christkindl Brief or Letter to the Christ Child
Activity Source: Original Text (JGM) by Jennifer
Gregory Miller, © Copyright 2003-2023 by Jennifer Gregory Miller First Sunday
of Advent[6] #Advent
For
us Catholics, the new Liturgical Year commences with the first Sunday of
Advent. In this new liturgical year, the Church not only wishes to indicate the
beginning of a period, but the beginning of a renewed commitment to the faith
by all those who follow Christ, the Lord. This time of prayer and path of
penance that is so powerful, rich and intense, endeavors to give us a renewed
impetus to truly welcome the message of the One who was incarnated for us. In
fact, the entire Liturgy of the Advent Season, will spur us to an awakening in
our Christian life and will put us in a ‘vigilant’ disposition, to wait for Our
Lord Jesus who is coming:
‘Awaken! Remember that God comes!
Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today, now! The one true God, "the God of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob", is not a God who is there in Heaven,
unconcerned with us and our history, but he is the-God-who-comes.’
The
Season of Advent is therefore a season of vigilant waiting, that prepares us to
welcome the mystery of the Word Incarnate, who will give the ‘Light’ to the
womb of the Virgin Mary, but essentially this time prepares us not only to
welcome this great event but to incarnate it in our lives. We could say that
the true light enters the world through the immaculate womb of Mary, but it
does not stay there. On the contrary, this light flows out into our dark,
obscure, sinful lives to illuminate them, so that we can become the light that
illuminates the world. For this reason, let us live this time of waiting not
only to celebrate a historical memory but to repeat this memory in our lives
and in the service of others. To wait for the Lord who comes, means to wait and
to watch so that the Word of Love enters inside us and focuses us every day of
our lives. As Blessed John Henry Newman reminded us in a homily for the Advent
Season: “Advent is a time of waiting, it is a time of joy because the coming of
Christ is not only a gift of grace and salvation, but it is also a time of
commitment because it motivates us to live the present as a time of
responsibility and vigilance. This ‘vigilance’ means the necessity, the urgency
of an industrious, living ‘wait’. To make all this happen, then we need to wake
up, as we are warned by the apostle to the Gentiles, in Romans: ‘Besides this
you know what hour it is, how it is full time now for you to wake from sleep.
For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Rm 13:11). We must start our journey to ascend to the
mountain of the Lord, to be illuminated by His Words of peace and to allow Him
to indicate the path to tread. Moreover, we must
change our conduct abandoning the works of darkness and put on the ‘armor of
light’ and so seek only to do God’s work and to abandon the deeds of the flesh.
(Rm 13:12-14). Jesus, through the story in the parable, outlines the Christian
lifestyle that must not be distracted and indifferent but must be vigilant and recognize even the smallest sign of the Lord’s
coming because we don’t know the hour in which He will arrive. (Mt 24:39-44)
Blessing of an Advent Wreath
The use of the Advent Wreath is a traditional
practice which has found its place in the Church as well as in the home. The
blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on
the evening before the First Sunday of Advent.
When
the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate
that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family.
All
make the sign of the cross as the leader says:
Our help is in the
name of the Lord.
Response
(R/.) Who made heaven and earth.
Then the Scripture,
Isaiah
9:
(lines 1-2 and 5-6) or Isaiah 63 (lines 16-17 & 19) or Isaiah 64 (lines 2-7) is read:
Reader:
The Word of the Lord.
R/. Thanks be to God.
With hands joined, the leader says:
Lord our God,
we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:
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 candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
The blessing may
conclude with a verse from
“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”:
O come, desire of
nations, bind
in one the hearts of humankind;
bid ev’ry sad division cease
and be thyself our Prince of peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
Advent begins Facts & Quotes[7]
Each Sunday in Advent
has a particular theme.
·
the first week is faithfulness, associated with
Christ coming in final victory.
·
The second and third Sundays, which feature the
stories about John the Baptist, represent hope and joy.
·
The fourth Sunday, which covers the events
that led up to the birth of Jesus, represents love.
Many churches light a
candle on an advent wreath each Sunday to represent each theme. The
wreath is either suspended from the ceiling or sits on a table. It is
made of evergreen branches and holds four candles - three purple ones for the
first weeks of Advent and a pink one for the last week. A white Christ
candle is placed in the center and will be lit on Christmas. A common activity
for children is to make Christmas ornaments. Many church Christmas trees
are decorated with these ornaments that represent symbols in Christianity, like
doves and fish. Advent starts the four Sundays before Christmas. Church
banners and cleric's stoles are purple during the season. Advent is a journey
towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made
man - Pope Francis via twitter on Dec 21, 2013.
Advent
Begins Top Events and Things to Do
·
Decorate your home with evergreens or go to a
'Hanging of the Greens' church service. Church members decorate the
church in preparation for Christmas.
·
Hang up an advent calendar. Many of these
decorative pieces have little doors that open and reveal holiday images or have
pockets with small items in them that reflect the season. They are especially
popular with children who enjoy opening the little doors to reveal chocolates.
·
Sing Advent Hymns. Two popular ones are in
the Deep Midwinter, and O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
Jesse Tree[8]
The Jesse Tree dates back to the Middle Ages and came from
Europe. Even some ancient cathedrals have Jesse Tree designs in their
stained-glass windows. The "tree" is usually a branch or sapling and
is decorated with various symbols that remind us of the purpose and promises of
God from Creation to the Birth of Jesus Christ. Jesse was the father of King
David and God promised David that his Kingdom would last forever. Two centuries
after the death of King David, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said:
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall
grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the
spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the
spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2) Each
Jesse Tree ornament usually consists of a handmade symbol or drawing that
represents one of the major stories of the Old Testament along with a brief
verse of Scripture from that story.
Jesse
Tree Ornaments
If you decide to use one
symbol each day during December, there are 24 symbolic ornaments to make for
your Jesse Tree, so each family member will need to make several. Making the
ornaments is a good project for Sunday afternoons during Advent. To make an
ornament, first read the Scripture verses for the day. Then pick out one or two
short verses that give the main idea. Copy these verses on the back of the
ornament. By this time, you will probably be thinking of various ways to
illustrate your Scripture verses. Use lots of creativity in making your
ornament! You can use pictures from magazines or old greeting cards. Or draw
pictures or symbols yourself. Color them with crayons, pencils, markers or
paint. Look around the house for bits and pieces that will make your design
beautiful! If you prefer to have a pattern already made, Caryn Talty, at Organic
Living for a Healthy Family, has created 26 excellent
ornaments which
she graciously offers free – both full color and black and white.
Jesse
Tree Scriptures (The Symbols Are Only Suggestions)
December 1 Creation: Gen. 1:1-31;
2:1-4 Symbols: sun, moon, stars, animals, earth
33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to Eucharistic Glory[9]
Want to start a small group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide
Day 5
On this 5th day, seek with all your mind
to love your neighbor as yourself.
Copilot:
Loving your neighbor as yourself is a fundamental and
transformative principle. Here are some ways you can embody this teaching in
your daily life:
Cultivate Empathy
- Listen
Actively: Take the time to truly listen to others' experiences and
feelings. Show that you value their perspective.
- Walk in
Their Shoes: Try to understand the challenges and joys your neighbors
face. Empathy builds deeper connections.
Practice Kindness
- Small Acts
of Kindness: Hold the door open, offer a smile, or say a kind word. These
small gestures can make a big difference.
- Volunteer:
Dedicate some of your time to helping others in your community. Whether
it's through a local charity or a community project, your efforts can have
a meaningful impact.
Show Respect and Understanding
- Acknowledge
Differences: Respect the diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and opinions of
those around you. Embrace diversity as a strength.
- Be Patient:
Practice patience and understanding, even in challenging situations.
Responding with grace can defuse tension and build bridges.
Support and Encourage
- Offer Help:
Be willing to lend a hand when someone is in need. Acts of support can
strengthen your community.
- Encourage
Others: Celebrate others' successes and offer encouragement during tough
times. Your support can be a powerful motivator.
Reflective Practice
- Self-Reflection:
Regularly reflect on your actions and attitudes towards others. Consider
how you can improve and grow in love and compassion.
- Pray for
Guidance: Seek guidance in prayer to love and serve your neighbors more
faithfully.
Catechism of the Catholic
Church
PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN
MYSTERY
SECTION TWO-THE SEVEN
SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
CHAPTER ONE-THE SACRAMENTS OF CHRISTIAN
INITIATION
Article 1-THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
VII. The Grace of Baptism
Day
172
1262 The different effects of
Baptism are signified by the perceptible elements of the sacramental rite.
Immersion in water symbolizes not only death and purification, but also
regeneration and renewal. Thus the two principal effects are purification from
sins and new birth in the Holy Spirit.
For the forgiveness of sins . .
.
1263 By Baptism all sins are
forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for
sin. In those who have been reborn nothing remains that would impede their
entry into the Kingdom of God, neither Adam's sin, nor personal sin, nor the
consequences of sin, the gravest of which is separation from God.
1264 Yet certain temporal
consequences of sin remain in the baptized, such as suffering, illness, death,
and such frailties inherent in life as weaknesses of character, and so on, as
well as an inclination to sin that Tradition calls concupiscence, or metaphorically,
"the tinder for sin" (fomes peccati); since concupiscence "is
left for us to wrestle with, it cannot harm those who do not consent but
manfully resist it by the grace of Jesus Christ." Indeed, "an
athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."
"A new creature"
1265 Baptism not only purifies
from all sins, but also makes the neophyte "a new creature," an
adopted son of God, who has become a "partaker of the divine
nature," member of Christ and coheir with him, and a temple of
the Holy Spirit.
1266 The Most Holy Trinity
gives the baptized sanctifying grace, the grace of justification:
- enabling them to believe in God, to hope in him, and to love him through the
theological virtues;
- giving them the power to live and act under the prompting of the Holy Spirit
through the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
- allowing them to grow in goodness through the moral virtues.
Thus the whole organism of the Christian's supernatural life has its roots in
Baptism.
World AIDS Day[10]
World AIDS Day serves to remember those who have died from
AIDS and to bring about awareness of HIV/AIDS through education and publicly
held events. HIV is a virus that attacks the body's immune system and makes it
progressively more difficult to fight infections and diseases. Once HIV
advances and becomes so severe that the body's immune system is too weak to
fight off many infections and diseases, it is called AIDS. There is currently
no cure for HIV or AIDS and if left untreated by antiretroviral medication,
patients' immune systems fail leading to death. World AIDS Day is also an
opportunity for people to show their support for people living with HIV. World
AIDS Day is one of the eight WHO Global Health Days. The day was created by the
World Health Organization in 1988. Since its inception over two decades ago,
the world has managed to halt and reverse the spread of HIV. According to the
WHO, the occurrence of new cases has decreased 35% between 2000 and 2015, while
AIDS-related deaths have decreased by 24% over the same time frame, all thanks
to antiretroviral treatments and widespread AIDS education and awareness. World
AIDS Day is observed on December 1st of each year.
World AIDS Day Facts
·
The Red Ribbon is the universal symbol of
support for those living with HIV/AIDS.
·
The AIDS
Memorial Quilt Project allows friends and family members of someone who has
died from AIDS to construct a quilt panel and have it placed in the quilt. The
quilt travels and is displayed throughout the US.
·
The first case of what is now known as AIDS was
reported in the US in June 1981.
·
According to the Centers for Disease Control,
more than a million people in the United States are living with HIV infection,
and almost 1 in 5 are unaware of their infection.
·
According to World Health Organization, AIDS has
claimed over 39 million lives globally.
World AIDS Day Top Events and Things to Do
·
Wear a Red Ribbon, an international symbol of
AIDS support.
·
Learn the facts of how HIV is transmitted so you
can be better prepared. Remember, HIV is spread through body fluids such as
blood, semen, rectal and vaginal fluids and breast milk.
·
Get involved in a fundraising effort to support
research into HIV/AIDS treatment. Many fundraisers are done in the form of
HIV/AIDS day walks.
·
Watch a movie or documentary about HIV/AIDS.
Some popular suggestions: Dallas Buyers Club (2013), Philadelphia
Story (1993), Longtime Companion (1990), The Age of AIDS
(2006) and AIDS, Inc (2007).
·
Get tested if unsure of your infection status.
Local pharmacies sell HIV home test kits, or you can find free testing sites in
most areas.
Daily
Devotions
·
Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving your day
to God. To honor God REST: no shopping after 6 pm Saturday till Monday. Don’t
forget the internet.
·
Today's Fast: Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: End
to Abortion
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Rosary
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