Preparing for Advent

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Advent is around the corner. That means December 25 will be here before we know it.

Just thinking about this might make you feel a bit anxious. “It’s hard enough for me to be ready for Christmas each year,” we think. “Trying to do a lot for Advent is overwhelming!”

To make things less overwhelming, give yourself a little prep time for Advent. Now you may be thinking: “I thought Advent was a season of preparation? Why would I prepare for preparations?”

Preparing for Advent is important because there is a real urgency to this liturgical season:
"Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light…" (Romans 13:11-12)

Many of us spend time preparing for Lent—deciding what we’re going “to give up” and so on. Advent deserves the same deliberation!

Here are five things we can do to prepare ourselves for a holy Advent.

1. Ask God to help you draw near to Him.
2. Begin to practice silence.
3. Gather your essential Advent items.
4. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
5. Prepare for a good confession now.

Continue reading this good Catholic article for details about each of this list items and Advent prayers, including the St. Andrew Novena which begins Nov 30 and ends Christmas Eve.

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Advent Resources

If you are interested in something new to bolster your Advent, check out these resources by clicking on the bolded title:

• Advent Adventure: fun, faithful and free activities for ages 5 -12 emailed every day in Advent; created by our friends at Holy Heroes (Flocknote newsletter)
• Advent Playlists: Spotify playlists (accessible by anyone), carefully curated with Christmas-y sounding Advent songs, reimagined and traditional hymns, and more
• Arts and Faith: weekly emails featuring video commentary about works of art related to the Advent Sunday readings (Flocknote newsletter)
• The Jesse Tree: daily emails about the Jesse Tree's ornaments, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history. (Flocknote newsletter)
• Advent Calendars: printable, online, or DIY calendars available through Loyola Press to mark the weeks before Christmas; además, Calendario de Adviento para niños
• Advent with Dr. Tim Gray: join Augustine Institute's president for 24 days of unpacking the meaning of this season and its rich traditions, as well as offer practical advice for making this Advent your best yet. (available on Formed; free access for all St. Michael parishioners!)

Find these and more on the parish website: Advent and Christmas.