Learning and Growing in Faith Together

Advent and Christmas Resources

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. 

Advent can come as a surprise to us sometimes, beginning right after the busy Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. It’s not unlike the surprise of Mary when she received news that she was pregnant with Jesus. Like her, we take the season of Advent as a time for pause, reflection, and preparation for the gift of God’s love coming to us through the baby Jesus.

History of Advent

The historic origin of Advent is not for certain; no evidence exists around the feast of the Nativity of the Lord before the end of the fourth century.

Several homilies and synods made mention of a specific liturgical time before Christmas, but no rule existed until a note on the Mass parts appeared during the time of Pope St. Gregory VII from 1073-1085.

Much like a Lenten period of fasting and sacrifice, the early Church urged Christians to dedicate this time to readying themselves for Christ. Their practices remind us that we are also called to be attentive to the message of repentance and the end times. This may seem unexpected considering the extravagant ways we eat, shop, celebrate, and rejoice as Christmas approaches!

An ADVENT PLAYLIST (Multiple Resources!)

Advent Family Resources  (Loyola Press)  ​

Resources for Adults! https://buildfaith.org/adult-formation-advent-resources-for-2022/

Advent Prayers and Retreat
Advent and Christmas Prayers (CRS)
A Prayerful, Magical Catholic Family Advent & Christmas (The Liturgical Catechist)
The “O Antiphons” of Advent(USCCB)
Advent Retreat, Holy Women, Full of Grace  (Good Ground Press)

Thanks for visiting our site!