Advent
is my most favorite Liturgical season because it means preparing. And I love planning and preparing! We awaited to
take our adopted son home during Advent so it is at this time of the Liturgical
year I am most, you may say, sentimental?
The Advent Wreath Prayer
My husband and I did The Advent Wreath Prayers daily; like what my Mama, Papa, brothers and I did when we were young and so we continue to uphold this tradition with our son. We use the Advent Wreath Prayer Guide by The Family Prayer Group which can be bought at St. Paul's bookstore in the Philippines. St. Paul's has an online store where you may purchase these booklets.
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| My Mom's Advent Wreath. She made it. All our Advent wreaths through the years when we were growing up were made by my Mama. Now you see where I get my crafting skills? |
25 Books of Christmas Advent Countdown
Another
fun family advent tradition we will be doing this year is the 25 Books of Christmas. We did it
for the first time, last year and it was a hit. Some families like to have
their books wrapped in fancy gift wrapping or tissue and it looks awesome! Our
family, tried to be as frugal as we can last year, so I wrapped the books in old
newspapers and magazine pages. Label each book with numbers 1-25. You may use the books you have at home already or new ones, fresh from the bookstore. I used the books (second hand) we ordered from The Learning Basket Shop and Book Boutique PH last year, plus some books we already had. This year we have some books from Pumplepie Books and Happiness, and The Learning Basket.
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| Book number 25, Christmas Night. Pardon the PJs |
The Jesse Tree
Another
Advent family tradition is the Jesse Tree. We are doing this for the second time
this year. The first time we did it was because we did not have a Christmas
tree yet and had lived in a rented room here in Doha, Qatar. This year, we are
making our Jesse Tree out of a kitchen towel tube and barbeque sticks and will be making another set to hang on our 5ft. tall Christmas tree
I
would like to share with you the Jesse Tree Ornaments Template I made. You may
do the coloring and cutting activity as a family too. I also encourage you to
be creative in making your own Jesse Tree.
You can find the printable and a little explanation about The Jesse Tree in this post.
Family Advent Pack
For families who are just starting, I have made a Family Advent pack for you to download and print. It has a calendar and weekly planner for the month of December so you can do your Advent countdown or plan your family's activities. It also has some coloring pages for the children as they learn about the Advent Wreath. I have also included a set of blank prayer cards which you can write your prayers to the Child Jesus and place near his crib in your Nativity Set
The St. Andrew Christmas Novena
The Christmas Novena by St. Andrew begins on St. Andrew's feast day. The first Sunday of Advent usually begins on the Sunday closest to November 30, which is St. Andrew's feast day. St. Andrew was the first apostle whom Jesus called. And traditions tells that he composed this prayer. I have included the St. Andrew's Christmas Novena in the Advent pack so you can also pray it as a family.
O Antiphons
The seven O Antiphons is recited in the Liturgy of the hours beginning December 17. It is recited at Vespers and so we will add this to our Nightly Advent prayers this year. I have also included small O Antiphon cards which you can read during your family night prayers or also include in your Advent Wreath prayers.
Get Started!
I encourage you to start at least one Family Advent Tradition. Your children will remember and cherish these more than the store bought gifts. I guarantee that. Because I am continuing the family traditions which my family did. It has helped my deepen my relationship with God, with my parents and brothers; and now my very own family.
God bless you!
Weena
P.S. Sharing is caring! If you want to share the Advent Family Pack with others, please send them this link and not the file. Thank you!
