The Minor Friar wants you to know that it isn’t Christmas we’re preparing for during Advent. It’s something else altogether.
I didn’t know that, but it does make sense. Listen to the readings at Mass–it will all fall into place.
Get ready! “You know not the day nor the hour.”
Today in church, Father spoke about how our church was starkly decorated in comparison with the homes in the neighborhood, which are already beautifully glowing. This is because, he said, the Church reminds us that we still have work to do–and that we cannot let empty beauty be a substitute for what is real, true and good.
Father Selvester expands on that same point here. What a wonderful reflection to help set the tone of Advent.
Little Brother was excited to come downstairs this morning and find our Advent Chain all ready and waiting!
We will get the Advent wreath and the empty Nativity scene set up during the day today.
Once again, a big thank you to the Curt Jester who provides the lovely Advent wreath for any blog. Every week another candle will light up, and the picture will change once Christmas arrives! At no cost to you!
While you’re visiting the Curt Jester, check out what he has to say about the meaning of Advent.
And on a more serious note, read Friar Charles’ homily for today. Sometimes distractions in church mean that I miss part of the homily. It’s nice that we have generous priests on the Internet who share their homilies with all of us. Here’s another: Father Tom at A Friar’s Life.
Yes, I am spending time today preparing for a season of preparation. That kind of boggles the mind, but I’m the mom, so it must be done.
Today I am making our annual Advent Chain. I’ve already located the Advent wreath and the manger scene, and I have them ready to make their appearance on Sunday.
So on my desk right now you will find:
a December calendar so I can plan it all out before making the chain
Pink and purple construction paper (good thing Advent is short this year because there’s not too much purple paper. I’ll have to make skinny links.)
A big pile of books–lots of important resources:
The Catholic Home
The Bad Catholic's Guide to Good Living
Catholic Family, Catholic Home
Usborne Christmas activities (the foil crown would be great for St. Lucy!)
Advent, Christmas and Epiphany in the Domestic Church (this book is great and if you don’t own one, you really should invest in it. The background information, activities and recipes are fabulous!)
I work a little out of the books and a little out of our own family calendar. We decorate the house in stages and those activities are part of the Advent chain, as well as special treats on St. Nicholas Day and St. Lucia Day. There will be some opportunities for “doing good for others” and some time for just plain fun. I think I enjoy making this Advent chain as much as the kids enjoy the daily activities.
We’re getting closer to the great season of Anticipation–Advent!
Usually I seriously dread this time of year. Too much to do, too little time, and too much Christmas already in the mix.
Well, it’s not even Advent yet and there’s plenty of Christmas–the All Christmas All the Time Radio Station has gotten started, my neighbor’s house is fully decorated and lit up every night, and the school has opened its Santa’s Secret Shop. Usually I hate Santa’s Shop but I volunteered there yesterday and it was not all that bad. It was actually kind of fun, and I met some nice moms I had never met before. We listened to the Christmas radio station and sang along a little bit. So on the way home I turned on the Christmas tunes on XM (5 stations, no waiting for a good song), stopped to buy Christmas cards, and before I knew it I was in a great mood.
Hopefully this will bode well for the upcoming season. I hope that I can take all of Advent in the same happy spirit. I don’t want to spend it frazzled and flustered and yelling at my family. I want to enjoy the steps I take toward Christmas.
Too much Boy Scout. Not enough reverence.
For example:
…they start the meal by musing, “I wonder if I can sneeze the candles out tonight.”
…Big Brother is running out of clever ways to light the match. (Tomorrow we may have to do the Boy Scout flint thing. That could keep him busy for a while).
…they have been picking the wax drippings off the sides of the candles and stacking them around the wick, campfire-style. (Note to self: next year, buy the dripless kind.)
…they are begging to light the fourth candle because “we won’t be eating dinner at home on Sunday night, and we need to use it sometime.”
Here’s where I am seriously glad that Advent is as short as it possibly can be this year!