Advent Special Days
* Be sure to try the links to online activities in larger bold type .
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!
* You might try an online map quiz about Nicholas or
* Learn about St Nicholas Day from this silly info video.
Our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12
Read the original story here written for children
Paper Dali has pictures to color with super explanation of colors and design.
For families here is a simple play telling the story and a instruction to 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.
* Here is a video about the St Lucia celebration today and its Christian origins.
Final Days of Advent
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.
In the spirit of Laudato Si, here is a Creation Novena for Advent--beginning on page 4.
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.
Read this reflection on Las Posadas.
* Listen to the traditional Posada song in Spanish followed by English.
* Try a word search for Posada terms.
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.
