Written by Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

Our family’s Advent traditions include having an Advent wreath at home. When the kids were growing up, we had a special Advent time each evening. We started with reciting a responsive prayer: “Advent means ‘coming.’ Jesus is coming. Prepare the way of the Lord.” We used a booklet on traditions for the season that included prayers, poems, and stories. We lit candles, sang a hymn, read a story, recited a psalm, and closed with prayer. It was our own little version of Evening Prayer. By the end of the four weeks of Advent, the family knew the psalm we recited that year by heart. Most importantly, we stopped everything in our day to spend this time together. Slowing down in a house with four children is not that common. Focusing on Advent for this time before Christmas also was not very common among our children’s friend groups. But they continued to participate! Waiting for the indwelling of God in the birth of Jesus was a key part of our season of waiting. 

This year, our youngest is missing traditions from home. She lives in New England and spends time with the family of her significant other. Of course, they do things differently. She wants some of the sameness of home and her family. So, she has requested some of the resources we used in our family prayer time. She has an Advent wreath. She’s ready to get ready for Christmas by spending time in Advent.

What traditions do you keep to remind yourself of this time of preparation for the birth of Jesus? Can you take on a new tradition this year? Lighting a candle on an Advent wreath, reading a psalm, saying a prayer, reading an Advent devotion – so many possibilities exist.  

We light the first candle this week. The light reminds us of God’s love shining in the darkness. The sky gets dark early this time of year. I leave in the morning when it’s dark. I drive home in the dark. But the light of Advent reminds me that God is there. In times of uncertainty, when we have so many concerns to attend to, it is so good to take a moment to reflect on God loving us so much that Jesus came to be with us, to be one of us. That gift of the Incarnation is the light burning in the darkness. We see others becoming the light of hope for us, reflecting the love of God in our world. Advent helps to keep us mindful that darkness can be lit with hope. May God give us confidence and hope in this time of waiting and empower us to carry the message of God’s love to all the world.

Blessed Angela: “All your deeds, thoughts and words belong to Him.”