Advent
In the Latin Catholic Church, the liturgical calendar begins on the first Sunday of Advent, which means we begin each year with our preparations for the birth of the baby Jesus! Seems very fitting. Advent is traditionally a time of prayer and fasting (it was sometimes called the “little Lent”) during which we prepare our hearts and our homes for the coming of Christ at Christmastime. It’s become more and more countercultural over the past few decades, but in our family we make a point of celebrating Advent during Advent, and Christmas during Christmas, rather than celebrating Christmas during Advent and nothing at all during Christmas. (CAY Compendium)
-
Advent Wreath Prayers Printable Booklet
$3.90 -
Christmas Novena Printable Booklet
$6.50 -
Sale!
The Printable Advent & Christmas DIY Bundle {Digital Download}
$13.00 -
O Come, Emmanuel Jesse Tree Set – 3 inch version
$100.00 -
Fabric Panel Jesse Tree Set
$40.00 -
Wooden Manger Set with Baby Jesus
$10.00 – $50.00 -
Advent Liturgical Box
$80.99 -
Sale!
December Booklet Bundle
$13.00
Blog Posts
Seven Catholic Advent Traditions, and which ones will work for your family
Advent is coming! What to do, what NOT to do . . . these are the questions. I think I can help. Here are my seven favorite Catholic Advent traditions with pros and cons of each to help you decide which ones will work for your family and personal circumstances this...
St. Nicholas Catholic Book Stack
Hey, you ever announce you're going to start blogging again and then behind the scenes stuff goes sideways and then your dad has a stroke and you spend the beginning of Advent dealing with hospitals for the second year in a row, but this time it's 2020 so you can't...
Greetings From the Hospital
Very long story short, two year old George has been hospitalized with bacterial meningitis since November 7th. We started at Urgent Care, were sent to the ER, admitted to Intensive Care, and then to a regular hospital room. He was a really, really sick little guy....
Lent vs Advent: Penance or Preparation, Counting Down or Counting Up
Mailbag Question! Q: I've heard people talk about Advent and Lent both being seasons of penance during the liturgical year. Can you help me understand how to explain the differences in the seasons to my family, and how to observe them in the home? A: Ooh, good...
Jesse Tree Dropout? Try the REAL Nine-Day Christmas Novena!
Why yes this IS a new blog-do . . . 💁♀️ What do you think? I really REALLY love this tradition. With my book out and the approximately 4672 radio and print interviews I have done in support of it, I am very often asked what is my favorite...
Hey, I Started a Tiny Liturgical Living Show, plus Reminders for Advent and the Feast of St. Andrew
Hey guys! Advent is JUST around the corner. In fact, today is the feast of St. Andrew, which, for us, kicks off our Advent traditions. (Even though Sunday is the actual beginning of Advent.) The very first thing I recommend in the Catholic All Year Compendium is the...
Some Advent Resources to Complement the Compendium
First off, thank you guys for liking the book. I mean, I hoped you would. But you just never know. It's been great seeing your social media posts and Amazon reviews (if you've got it will you leave one?) and getting your messages and talking to folks in real life...
An Easy, No Mess, Kid-Friendly, Not-Crafty-Mom-Friendly, Last Minute Advent Wreath and a Guide to the Upcoming First Week of Advent
Advent starts tomorrow! And that means tonight is Catholic New Year's Eve, so break out the champagne! If, like me, you are not quite ready to, um, get ready, I thought I'd share this quick and easy Advent Wreath that is our go-to every year now. We've had lots...
Do Catholics Need the Elf on the Shelf?
I had every intention of not wading into the Elf on the Shelf debate, because it's really not a matter of faith and morals, and is therefore something about which good Catholics are free to make their own choices, and follow their own consciences, and disagree. But...
The Catholic All Year Quick Gift Guide for Catholics (and non-Catholics)
As someone somewhere in this blessed country is getting knocked unconscious over a discounted Keurig Machine, I plan to be observing Black Friday by continuing our family tradition of watching all of the Lord of the Rings movies (and none of the Hobbit movies) over...