Advent at St. Therese
As we enter this blessed season of Advent and the busyness that can so often accompany it, let us take some intentional time to prepare our hearts and homes for the joyous celebration of Christ’s birth.
To help keep Him at the heart of all of our celebrations, Families United in Faith (FUIF) has gathered ideas and resources for you and your families to help focus more personally on Jesus during this holiday season.
We prayerfully hope this Advent is a time of reflection, anticipation, and faith renewal for all of you.
Adult Advent Formation Ideas
Advent Candles and Advent Wreaths
Learn more about the History and Meaning of the symbols of Advent from Hallow – Advent Candles and Advent Wreaths
Light the Advent wreath each week and discuss the significance of each candle with your family. Use the weekly prayer cards attached.
Advent Reflections
Join an Advent program or select a book or devotional to complete yourself, with spouse or family and friends.
Face to Face with Fr. Mike Schmitz from Ascension Video Series
Advent Gospel Reflections – Advent meditation book available for free-will offering in parish office.
Scripture Verses for each week of Advent
Take time to reflect on the following scripture verses highlighted by Ascension Press for each week of Advent, or others that are meaningful for you.
Hope: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Peace: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Joy: "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10
Love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.” John 3:16
Family Activities for Advent
Create an Advent Calendar
Make a homemade Advent calendar with daily activities or prayers to do a countdown to Christmas. This can be as simple as writing down 24 prayers, acts of kindness, or notes on slips of paper, putting them in a jar, and selecting one per day as a family.
Setup or Craft Nativity Scenes
Spend time setting up a Nativity scene together. Each day of Advent move Mary and Joseph to a different location around the house as they make their way to the manger by Christmas Eve or not set out baby Jesus until Christmas Day. Read The Story of the Nativity together and understand how each person regardless of how small their role was an important part.
Shepherd on the Search
Add this Shepherd on the Search (or “Mary on the Mantel”) to your daily Advent activities as his journeys bring him closer to the birth of Christ. He can travel on his own, or pair him with your Elf on the Shelf to teach him the true meaning of Christmas.
The Jesse Tree
This is a visual representation of Jesus' family lineage, where each day of Advent, you hang an ornament on a decorated tree that symbolizes a different person from the Bible leading up to Jesus' birth, essentially "walking through" his family tree by reading related scripture passages for each ornament you hang; to use a Jesse Tree, choose a decorative tree, select ornaments with corresponding biblical figures, and each day during Advent, hang an ornament while reading the story of that person from the Bible.
Gather with Others
Attend events as a family or with other families to celebrate the season:
St. Therese Big Dinner, 12/7 Italian Dinner for $10/person followed by Service of Light & Music concert
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Open Window Theater, 12/6-12/30
Handel’s Messiah: Attend this beautiful concert at the Basilica of St Mary 12/19-12/22
Or participate in a service project as a family, such as volunteering for a cause that is important to your family, or contributing to one of the St. Therese Parish Annual Giving Projects.
Bake Together
Make festive treats and share them with neighbors or those in need. Bake a birthday cake for Jesus to celebrate his birthday on Christmas Day!
Pray Together
Choose a Christmas card to pray over that family that sent it each evening during dinner. Since many of the cards are photo cards, children can see pictures of the people we're praying for and even guess things that the family would need prayers for.
Celebrate the Saints
Saints whose feast days are during Advent:
St. Nicholas (12/6): Celebrate by reading the story of St. Nicholas and his acts of generosity. Encourage children to leave their shoes out the night before to find small treats or notes in the morning
Immaculate Conception (12/8): Attend Mass as a family and discuss the significance of Mary’s Immaculate Conception
St Juan Diego (12/9): Honor this Saint who received the vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe and his home country of Mexico by making a Mexican meal for dinner
Our Lady of Guadalupe (12/12): Learn more about this miraculous apparition by watching “Guadalupe: The Miracle and the Message” video on formed.org and attend Mass that day. Have the kids color this free printable of Mary’s tilma while you are making dinner and scan the QR code to hear the clips that delve into the story of St Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
St. Lucy (12/13): Honor St. Lucy by making traditional St. Lucy buns and having a special breakfast. Discuss her life and the importance of bringing light to others.