Advent
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.
Featured Advent Videos
During Advent we will be featuring different videos to help you learn and reflect about the season and to provide a short break from the hectic pace of life.
More Advent Videos
During Advent we will be featuring different videos to help you learn and reflect about the season and to provide a short break from the hectic pace of life.
USCCB ADVENT RESOURCES
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Beginning the Church’s liturgical year, Advent (from, “ad-venire” in Latin or “to come to”) is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.
The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36). Like Lent, the liturgical color for Advent is purple since both are seasons that prepare us for great feast days. Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas.
Use the links to the left to access the USCCB resources.
BUSTED HALO
Advent is a time of expectant waiting and hopeful anticipation before Christmas. We’re waiting for God to come into our lives as a baby and watching for God’s presence in the world around us. There is a lot going on at Busted Halo this Advent. Here’s a quick list of a few things that will help you prepare for the church season that is all about preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ.
Advent Calendar
Our digital twist on the traditional Advent calendar will debut on the first day of Advent, November 27. Each day, the calendar will lead you to a special Advent-themed Daily Jolt and MicroChallenge that will help you stay in touch with the true meaning of the season. (We’ll also post each day’s jolt and challenge on Facebook and Twitter at 10 a.m. Eastern.)
InstaAdvent Photo Challenge
Celebrate Advent with Busted Halo’s #InstaAdvent Photo Challenge. Each day, we’ll give you a fun, thoughtful, and reflective Advent photo-a-day idea. Post a photo with #BHAdvent every day and stay connected to the hope, joy, and occasional peppermint mocha that make this time of year so special! Bonus: We will be giving away weekly prizes!
Advent Virtual Retreat
Our preparations for Christmas are filled with occasions for waiting. We wait in line at stores, we wait for traveling relatives, we wait for the cookies in the oven to finish baking. But waiting is not a passive action. It’s dynamic and transformative! This virtual retreat will help you reflect on ways to grow in faith, hope, and love while we wait for the coming of Christ this Advent.
10 Meaningful Advent Traditions to Try This Year
If you’re like me, the beauty and deep meaning of Advent can get away from you awfully fast. One minute you’re lighting that first purple candle and singing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” and then whoosh! it’s January. The usual Advent wreaths and mini-chocolate calendars are tried and true practices (because hey, who doesn’t like chocolate?) and they can certainly help us focus our thoughts on the coming of the infant king. But perhaps going beyond the expected traditions could make us pause for a bit more mindfulness this season. Here are ten unique traditions to bring more mindfulness and joy to this time of year.
3 Ways to Practice Hope
Hope is more than wishful thinking or anticipating the best possible outcome. That’s optimism. Hope—that is, Christian hope—is the desire for the Kingdom of Heaven in the here and now. It inspires us to act with kindness, gentleness, and generosity so we might know and experience peace and joy today.
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LISTEN: Dealing With Grief Around the Holidays
This time of year can be particularly difficult for anyone who is dealing with grief. Father Dave offers resources and words of consolation to parents who recently lost their son.
Loyola Press Advent Resources
The Loyola Press will have what you are looking for with 9 main categories and dozens of articles, activities, calendars, and prayers. Highly Recommended!
Ignatian Spirituality: Advent
During the four weeks of Advent, we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth through prayer and reflection. We contemplate the First Coming of Jesus as Savior, and anticipate his promised Second Coming. And amid the flurry of Christmas preparations, we look for practical ways to observe the holiness of the season in our everyday lives.
Ignatian contemplation and reflective prayer encourage us in the season of Advent. Below we highlight Advent resources in the tradition of Ignatian spirituality.
Catholic News Agency: Advent
This site has many unique resources not easily found elsewhere. These include: Bishops’ previous Advent teachings, Blessings, Customs & Traditions, History, Prayers, Prayers for the first week of Advent, Prayers for the second week of Advent, Prayers for the third week of Advent, Prayers for the fourth week of Advent, and Saints of Advent.
Praying Advent
We often miss Advent’s power because these December weeks are full of secular Christmas parties and preparations for Christmas. Each year, the busyness of this season serves to distract us from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning. This site offers simple ways to enter into this Advent season, week by week, in the midst of our everyday lives. This is one of the most comprehensive sites we’ve encountered.
U.S. Catholic Advent Resources
Advent is here, and the countdown to Christmas is on. But don’t get too hung up on planning for December 25–the four weeks leading up to Christ’s birth (and the days after it) are just as important. If you’re having some trouble blocking out the holiday madness and settling down for some Advent reflection, here are some essays, blogs, and other resources to help you get in the spirit.
CRS Online Advent Calendar
Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Take time to pray and prepare for the coming of Christ. Sign up now and return each day during Advent to receive Scripture, quotes and images filled with hope as we reflect on the needs of our global family.
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