Catholic customs to prepare our hearts and homes for Advent
As we enter into the time of Advent, prayer, music, and charitable acts prepare us for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas.
For Catholics, the time leading up to Christmas, this year Sunday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 24, is important. Dec. 3 is the first day of a new Liturgical calendar, beginning the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Scholars believe that the period was originally a season of preparation for the baptism of new Christians at the January Feast of Epiphany.
As purple is the liturgical color for Advent, the priest wears violet or purple during Advent, except for the third Sunday of Advent when rose may be worn. The Advent wreath reflects these colors and has three purple candles and one rose.
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During the last week in Advent, “O” Antiphons have been sung since at least the eighth century. They portray the ancient messianic hopes to proclaim the coming of Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament.
The Advent Season is a season of waiting and a time of reflection on how we can prepare our hearts and homes for the birth of Jesus. It is a time of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas.
During Advent, traditions centered on prayer can help us prepare in a meaningful way for the birth of our Lord.
Advent wreaths
An Advent wreath consists of three purple candles, one pink, and an optional white. Each candle is lit on Sundays during Advent. The first purple candle, lit first, symbolizes hope and represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the birth of Jesus. The second candle is also purple and represents faith. Called the “Bethlehem Candle,” it symbolizes Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem. The third candle is pink (a liturgical color for joy) and is lit on the third Sunday. It is called the “Shepard’s Candle” and is meant to remind us of the joy that the world experienced at the birth of Jesus. The final purple candle is lit on the fourth Sunday to mark the final week of prayer and penance as we wait for the birth of our Savior. The “Angel’s Candle” symbolizes peace. On Christmas Eve, a white candle can be lit representing the purity of Jesus. Faithward.org offers prayers that can be said during the lighting of each candle.
Check with your parish to see if they will be hosting wreath-making events.
Nativity sets
The beginning of Advent is the time to set up your nativity scene or crèche. The manger should be left empty until Christmas Eve when baby Jesus arrives at midnight.
A tradition at the Vatican on the third Sunday in Advent is the Blessing of the Bambinelli. Following the Sunday Angelus address, Pope Francis blesses all the figurines of baby Jesus held up by the children in the crowd. The children then take them back home to be placed under their Christmas trees until Christmas Eve when the baby can be placed in the manger to mark the birth of Jesus.
Locally, Church of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady in Wood-Ridge will hold a Blessing of the Bambinelli Dec. 16 and 17.
Jesse trees
The Jesse Tree takes your family on a journey through Jesus’ family tree and is a unique way to enjoy the Bible leading up to Christmas. The tradition is rooted in Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.”
Jesse was the father of David, Israel’s greatest king. And Jesus is descended from the line of David. Each day of Advent, a Bible story about a member of Jesus’ family is read. An ornament symbolizing the story is then hung on the Jesse Tree. It reveals how God prepared for Jesus to be born through many generations.
Trees and ornaments can be purchased online or Faithward.org gives ideas on how to make your own tree and ornaments.
Advent calendars
Advent calendars have become increasingly popular, with a wide variety of options available such as cheese, chocolate, coffee, and Lego. The tradition of the Advent calendar originated in Germany among the Protestants. It started with various creative ways of marking off the days during Advent. Over time, the calendars evolved to include hanging a devotional image or displaying a Bible verse every day.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has produced an Advent calendar that has reflections, Bible verses, and prayers. The calendar can be cut up and each day can be placed in a pocket or wooden reusable Advent calendar box.
Spend time with God
Sister Donna Ciangio, a Sister of St. Dominic of Caldwell and the chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark, has written an Advent guide exploring the scripture and prayers that are so important in this season.
“Take time during these Advent days to seek some time alone with God to feed your holy longing for intimacy and communion. Take a walk, sit in a quiet place, enjoy the sights and sounds of the season and know that God is with us speaking to us in the depths of our being,” Sister Donna said.
