Savoring Advent in Five Ways

Advent is underway. Some are struggling to find ways to prepare room for Jesus in their hearts. The season is all about preparing for his coming. It allows us to slow down and acknowledge the journey to Bethlehem.  

Catholics can prepare for his coming in five ways. It’ll teach us to be more selfless and less selfish.

Seek Reconciliation

Going to confession is the best way to prepare our hearts for Jesus. The best time to go will be any Saturdays leading up to Christmas. If already gone to confession, go again before the Christmas season.

Volunteer Your Time

Churches all across the country are offering opportunities to help those on the margins. Catholics can give their time. There is no mercy without love. We extend God’s loving hand to all in need when we show mercy.

Pray an Advent Devotional or Daily Reading

Another good practice to prepare spiritually for Jesus's coming is to pray an Advent devotion. If that can’t be done, reflect on the daily readings or the gospel and read a reflection. Some Advent guides give a challenge for each day that will help us grow spiritually.

Read the Gospel of Luke each night before bed. Read the readings for upcoming Sunday and meditate on its meeting for the themes of Advent.

Listen to Advent Music

One may notice that the Gloria is suspended during Advent. Dom Gueranger reminds us, “The Church also, during Advent … suppresses the angelic canticle, Gloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra paz hominibus bonae voluntatis; for this glorious song was sung at Bethlehem over the crib of the divine Babe; the tongues of the angels are not loosened yet; the Virgin has not yet brought forth her divine Treasure; it is not yet time to sing. It is not even true to say, ‘Glory be to God in the highest, and peace on earth to men of good will.’”

If one is subscribed to the Hallow App, there is a playlist for Advent one can listen to while doing chores, studying, working, exercising, or needing something meditative during prayer There are some free playlists one can listen.  

Then, here are some free playlists to listen to as we journey with Mary and Joseph.

Try out these free Advent playlists:

Advent of Ephesus by the Benedictines of Mary

Advent Promise by Roger Wilcock & The London Fox Players

The Advent of Christmas by Matt Maher

Handel’s Messiah

Pray Around the Advent Wreath

The traditional Advent wreath is a wreath (sometimes of evergreen branches) that holds four candles (three violet, one pink) representing the four weeks of Advent. 

Bless your Advent wreath with this special liturgical blessing 

Put it on your dinner table (or nearby), and light it each night leading up to Christmas with your children or grandchildren.

During dinner, pray a short Advent prayer or sing an Advent hymn with your family. 

O God, Who gladdens us by the annual expectation of our redemption, grant that we, who now receive with joy your only-begotten son as our Redeemer, may behold him without fear when he comes as our judge.

Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the ways of your only begotten son, that we may attain to serve you with purified minds, through his Advent, who with you lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Make this the best Advent ever