As the days grow shorter and the air becomes crisper, a sense of anticipation fills the hearts of Catholics around the world. Advent, the season of waiting and preparation, is right around the corner. This year, Advent is shorter than usual (three weeks), urging us to be intentional in our reflections and actions, making the most of every moment as we await the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Advent, derived from the Latin word “adventus,” meaning “coming,” marks the beginning of the liturgical year in the Catholic calendar. It is a season of hope, joy, peace, and love. This Advent, let us approach the season with a renewed spirit of intentionality, cherishing each day and every sacrifice we make with a deep sense of love for the One who left the splendors of heaven to dwell among us.
We have a few days left….let’s tie up a few loose ends so we are prepared for Advent. Get out the Advent wreath, purchase the candles, have your Advent Calendar ready and purchase your Advent journal if that is part of what you are going to do this year.
In a world that often rushes from one moment to the next, Advent beckons us to slow down, to wait patiently, and to be purposeful in our preparations. The brevity of this year’s Advent serves as a gentle reminder that time is a cherished gift, meant to be savored and used wisely. As we light the candles on the Advent wreath and count down the days to Christmas, let us be mindful of the intention behind each action, each prayer, and each sacrifice.
Every year offers a precious opportunity for renewing of our reverence for the Nativity of Our Lord. As the calendar turns its pages, we are invited to revisit the timeless story of the birth of Jesus Christ, a story that will always remain with us and has the utmost of significance for our spiritual lives.
Advent calls us to make meaningful sacrifices, not just for the sake of tradition, but with an understanding of the love that motivated the greatest sacrifice of all—God sending His Son into the world. Our Lord came down from the perfection of heaven to the discomfort of earth, demonstrating a love beyond what we can comprehend. With a spirit of love, let us approach our own sacrifices during this Advent season.
Perhaps it’s giving up a luxury, breaking a bad habit, or dedicating more time to prayer and reflection. Whatever the sacrifice may be, may it be an expression of our love for God and our gratitude for the gift of salvation. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, let us not lose sight of the true meaning of Advent—the celebration of God’s ultimate act of love.
As we navigate the busyness of this season, let us also show our love to those around us. Advent is a time of sharing, caring, and reaching out to others in need. Whether it’s through acts of kindness, generosity, or simply offering a listening ear, let us embody the love that Christ showed us by being present for one another.
And for ourselves, as we go into Advent and then into the new year, let us open our hearts to Jesus, become more vulnerable in order to let Him take a deeper and more profound control over our lives. We can pray for this at every Communion we receive this Advent. An Advent that is short…but meaningful.
Each day is a chance to grow in virtue and it begins with the little things. Show your husband you care…listen to him, smile at him, give him a hug when he doesn’t expect it. Your children are watching and courtesy and love are contagious! This Advent can be special…. it starts with you! -Finer Femininity
Advent & Christmas Cheerful Chats for Catholic Children Colorful Story Book!
Morals and Tidbits of the Faith! Questions, Poems, Prayers! These are short faith-filled stories, within the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Each story is followed by a few questions, a prayer, and a short poem enabling the moral of each story to sink into the minds of your little ones. The stories are only a page long so tired mothers, who still want to give that “tucking in” time a special touch, or pause a brief moment during their busy day to gather her children around her, can feel good about bringing the realities of our faith to the minds of her children.
Available here.
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY/COLORING BOOK!
Available here.
Celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas with Your Family Book! Activities, Checklist, Coloring Pages Coordinating with Each Day!
This practice of doing the Twelve Days of Christmas can change your family’s Liturgical holiday life!
Why? Because it will help you make the Christmas Season festive after Christmas has arrived for those twelve specific days (with Epiphany as the 13th Day of Christmas).
Each day has an activity and a lovely coloring page dedicated to it. The activities are simple and doable.
At the beginning of the book there is a checklist for the supplies so that you can gather them throughout the Advent Season. Then you will have everything ready to make the Twelve (actually thirteen, including Epiphany) Days of Christmas special!
Package Special here.
Women historically have been denigrated as lower than men or viewed as privileged. Dr. Alice von Hildebrand characterizes the difference between such views as based on whether man’s vision is secularistic or steeped in the supernatural. She shows that feminism’s attempts to gain equality with men by imitation of men is unnatural, foolish, destructive, and self-defeating. The Blessed Mother’s role in the Incarnation points to the true privilege of being a woman. Both virginity and maternity meet in Mary who exhibits the feminine gifts of purity, receptivity to God’s word, and life-giving nurturance at their highest.
You’ll learn how to grow in wisdom and in love as you encounter the unglamorous, everyday problems that threaten all marriages. As the author says: If someone were to give me many short bits of wool, most likely I would throw them away. A carpet weaver thinks differently. He knows the marvels we can achieve by using small things artfully and lovingly. Like the carpet weaver, the good wife must be an artist of love. She must remember her mission and never waste the little deeds that fill her day the precious bits of wool she s been given to weave the majestic tapestry of married love.
This remarkable book will show you how to start weaving love into the tapestry of your marriage today, as it leads you more deeply into the joys of love.
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The kids have been buzzy around reminding me get the wreathes get the candles get the calendars…… So this was very timely! 😉