Advent is a time to take stock of what’s important in our lives, casting away extra commitments and wasted energy we’ve added throughout the year. Here are a few traditions that an individual or a family can practice to draw closer to Christ during Advent.
Advent candles
Many parishes light a candle at Mass each of the four weeks of Advent. We light the candles to symbolize the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. Many families choose to carry this tradition into their homes. You can purchase a wreath for the candles online or you may choose to make one with items in your yard or ones you find on a family walk. Candles often provide their own calming effect. Remembering candles from birthdays past, my own children hold a sense of anticipation whenever they see one lit. Families could mark this moment as a sacred one by singing a hymn or anticipatory carol such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” or “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” or praying an Advent prayer together.
Giving tree
Each year our Catholic school has a giving tree set up in the foyer. Families are invited to select a paper ornament labeled with a child’s age, gender and a desired gift for a family in our community that needs a little help this holiday season. It is good reminder to place focus on those who may not have much during the season. My sons love thinking about the child enjoying the toy they picked out for them. I let my boys wrap the present themselves, and as I supervise, we pray for the child and their family before turning the gift in.
Contemplative prayer
Contemplative prayer is the practice of quieting your thoughts, words and physical movements to simply rest in the love and presence of God. At first this can be difficult but in time you grow to desire these moments, finding they serve as an anchor for your day and the Advent season. Choosing a family tradition to share during Advent will ground us in the holy as commercialism swirls around us. These traditions focus us to wait in hopeful expectation for Christ’s light to come into our world and our hearts.
