Advent

There are 9 links to online activities in larger bold type on this page.

General

Lots of ideas from Loyola Press for making Advent come alive for your family.

Advent from americancatholic.org

Here are 8 super-simple ways to celebrate Advent

Watch a 2-minute video about Advent from Busted Halo

Enjoy Advent by James Martin SJ.

See an explanation of Christmas or Xmas.

Advent Wreath

Here is everything you want to know about the advent wreath as well as a blessing and weekly prayers.

This sheet about the advent wreath and suggested prayers can be run off.

Why Rose or Pink on the third Sunday? check it out.

You may enjoy a short video about the Advent Wreath.

Here is the Good Ground Press Advent Wreath prayer.


Advent Calendars

Join us in trying a REVERSE ADVENT CALENDAR this year.

An Advent Blessing Jar is a great help for counting your blessings and for giving during the advent season

On this one you just color a section each day.

Good Ground Press Calendar.

And don't miss the Busted Halo version.

Here is a Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar.

Follow the Christmas story with this paper chain calendar.

Progressive Nativity Scene

Set up your nativity set by adding pieces each week during Advent.Here's another example of this activity.

You can build a nativity scene out of Legos. There are instructions here and here.

You can color and cut out this nativity scene.

1) Build your own nativity scene online.


Jesse Tree

Follow the stories from the family tree of Jesus and create a Jesse Tree.

And be sure to check out the photo of a great Jesse Tree window.

Special Advent Days

Saint Nicholas - December 6

Here you will find a color sheet from Paper Dali.

Dress a St Nick paper doll.

For information about St Nicholas here is a good article to read from americancatholic.org

Find a wealth of information, ideas and activities at St Nicholas Center. This site is fantastic!

3) You might try an online map quiz about Nicholas or

4) learn more about St Nicholas Day from this silly info video.

Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12

Read the original story here written for children

and adults can read or listen at this site.

Paper Dali has pictures to color with super explanation of colors and design.

A simple play telling the story.

Make Juan Deigo's tilma.

St Lucy - December 13

For information about the importance of St Lucia Day.

Catholic Icing has many ideas for celebrating in your home including everything from recipes to paper dolls.

Arthur has a story about celebrating in Sweden and here is more information.

Paper Dali has a picture to color too.

O Antiphons - begin December 17

Here is a good explanation of the prayers.

Families with older children might like to create a set of O Antiphon ornaments.

You are probably most familiar with them in this musical form.


Christmas Novenas- Dec 16-24

St. Ignatius of Loyola suggested a Christmas novena to commemorate the Holy Family's journey to Bethlehem; in 1580, St. John of the Cross prepared a more elaborate version of the travel; seven years later, Spanish missionaries introduced it in Mexico.

Las Posadas

This is the Hispanic Catholic tradition reenacting the story in Luke 2: 4-7.

Follow the Mexican tradition for the 9 days before Christmas.

Listen to the traditional Posada song.And read this reflection on Las Posadas.


Simbang Gabi

In the Phillipines the Christmas novena becomes Simbang Gabi with a daily pre-dawn Mass and special treats.

This celebration is also popular in the Chicago Archdiocese. f


Advent for Teens

Check out these ideas for Advent.

And don't miss the Busted Halo Advent Calendar.

Adult Coloring Pages


5) And just for fun try to light up a Christmas Tree,

6) Play Christmas Story Hangman Game,

7) Or listen to a flash mob sing the Christmas story.

8) You may wish to watch Leo Tolstoy's story Papa Panov's Special Christmas,

9) or pick one of these online activities for Advent and Christmas.