On Advent family traditions
The season of Advent is finally here – which means Christmas is just around the corner. Though for many of us here in the Philippines, Christmas “begins” when September comes around, we Catholics celebrate Advent as a time of preparation and reflection.
What exactly is Advent anyway?
Let's take a look at one of the definitions of Advent, from Catholic.org:
The word Advent derives from the Latin word meaning coming. The Lord is coming. We may reflect that every year at this time we celebrate his coming , so that in a sense we can lose the feeling of expectancy and joyful anticipation, because at the end of the season, everything seems to return to pretty much the same routine. If that is the case, then our preparation may have been lacking and we have therefore been robbed of much of the true meaning of this season.
During Advent we recall the history of God's people and reflect on how the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament were fulfilled. This gives us a background for the present. Today we can reflect on the past track record of God and so begin to understand what it means to us now for the sake of what is to come, in our own future and that of our world.
© Liguori Publications Excerpt from Advent - A Quality Storecupboard The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer
What better way to prepare for Jesus’ “birthday” than starting (or for some families, continuing) our own Advent family traditions?
This year, our family is doing three main activities in preparation for Christmas:
2. The Advent Calendar
3. The Advent Wreath
In case you’re not too familiar with each, here are brief descriptions of each traditional Advent activity:
1. The Jesse Tree (from Catholic Culture.org)
"The Jesse Tree dates back to the middle ages and came from Europe. Even some ancient cathedrals have Jesse Tree designs in their stained glass windows. The "tree" is usually a branch or sapling and is decorated with various symbols that remind us of the purpose and promises of God from Creation to the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Jesse was the father of King David and God promised David that his Kingdom would last forever. Two centuries after the death of King David, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah and said:
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots: and the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:1-2)
Each Jesse Tree ornament usually consists of a handmade symbol or drawing that represents one of the major stories of the Old Testament along with a brief verse of Scripture from that story."
Our Jesse Tree was made by Mano Amiga mothers.
This is our first time to use the Jesse Tree (thank God for the tree that was given to us by a friend – it comes complete with the tree, ornaments and a devotional booklet), and we are already feeling so blessed by it. Every evening starting on the first Sunday of Advent, we gather as a family, sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” read the Bible reading from the devotional booklet, and say our prayers of thanksgiving and supplication. Then one of the kids hangs the Jesse Tree ornament for the day.
2. The Advent Calendar (according to Wikipedia)
An Advent calendar is a special calendar which is used to count or celebrate the days of Advent in anticipation of Christmas. Some calendars are strictly religious, whereas others are secular in content. Despite the name, most commercially available Advent calendars begin on December 1, regardless of when Advent begins, which can be as early as November 27 and as late as December 3.
Today, most Advent calendars are made for children. Many take the form of a large rectangular card with "windows" of which there are often 24; one for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day. One is opened every day during Advent. In many of these calendars, each window opens to reveal an image, a poem, or a portion of a story such as the story of the Nativity of Jesus. More elaborate Advent calendars have a small gift concealed in each window, such as a toy or a chocolate item.
This is also our first time to use the Advent Calendar. We got ours from Fully Booked. It comes with 24 mini-books that depict the Nativity story; each book has a gold cord attached so you can hang it on your Christmas tree or something similar. (You can view pictures of our kids preparing the “tree” for our Advent Calendar here).
Our Advent calendar
3. The Advent Wreath (from EWTN.com)
"Customarily the Advent Wreath is constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which are inserted four candles. According to tradition, three of the candles are violet and the fourth is rose. However, four violet or white candles may also be used” (Book of Blessings 1510).
The rose candle is lit the third Sunday of Advent, for this color anticipates and symbolizes the Christmas joy announced in the first word of the Entrance Antiphon: "Rejoice" (Latin, Gaudete). For this reason the Third Sunday is also called Gaudete Sunday, and rose color vestments are permitted.
The Advent Wreath represents the long time when people lived in spiritual darkness, waiting for the coming of the Messiah, the Light of the world. Each year in Advent people wait once again in darkness for the coming of the Lord, His historical coming in the mystery of Bethlehem, His final coming at the end of time, and His special coming in every moment of grace.
During Advent, family and friends can gather around the Advent Wreath lighting the appropriate candle(s), read from the daily Advent meditation and sing songs. The Church's official Book of Blessings also provides a blessing ceremony for the advent wreath which can be used in the absence of a priest.”
We started using the Advent Wreath in 2010 when we were still on mission in Timor Leste. We use this craft idea from Catholicmom.com.
The kids really enjoyed making our Advent Wreath this year!
So there you have it! Our family traditions for this Advent! Above all though, we’re focusing on preparing our hearts and homes for Jesus to be “born” in – that He may dwell in each member of our family all the days of our lives, not just for Christmas.
How about you, dear reader? How are you preparing for Christmas this year? I pray that you have a meaningful time doing so – remember, Jesus is the reason for the season!
