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