Advent is a special season of anticipation, reflection, and preparation as we await the celebration of Christ’s birth. While it can be easy to get swept up in the busyness of holiday shopping and festivities, Advent invites us to pause, reflect, and focus on the deeper meaning of Christmas. For families, this season offers a beautiful opportunity to grow closer to one another and to God by fostering spiritual practices that help prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

Some practical ways to live Advent well as a family:

Create a Prayerful Environment at Home

The Advent season is a time of prayer and reflection. Creating a sacred space in your home can help your family stay centered on the true meaning of the season. This doesn’t have to be elaborate—it can be as simple as setting up an Advent wreath or displaying a Nativity scene as a focal point for prayer and reflection.

• Advent Wreath: The Advent wreath is a traditional symbol of the season, with four candles representing hope, peace, joy, and love. Light one candle each week of Advent during a family prayer time. Say a simple prayer or read a passage from Scripture as you reflect on the meaning of each candle.
• Nativity Scene: Set up a Nativity scene, but consider leaving out baby Jesus until Christmas Eve to symbolize the anticipation of His coming. You can also move the figures of Mary and Joseph closer to the stable each week to emphasize their journey.

By making your home a place of prayer and reflection, you help your family focus on the spiritual preparation for Christmas.

Start an Advent Prayer Routine

Advent is a wonderful time to introduce or deepen your family’s prayer routine. Establishing a daily or weekly prayer habit helps to foster a spirit of reflection and anticipation throughout the season.

• Daily Family Prayer: Set aside time each day for family prayer, whether in the morning, before meals, or before bed. Use this time to reflect on the meaning of Advent, offering prayers of thanksgiving and asking for God’s guidance as you prepare for Christmas.
• Scripture Reading: Incorporate Scripture readings into your prayer time. Focus on passages that emphasize the coming of Christ, such as the prophecies from Isaiah or the Annunciation in the Gospel of Luke. This helps your family understand the significance of Advent in a biblical context.
• Advent Devotions or Calendars: Many families find using an Advent devotional or calendar helpful for staying on track with their spiritual preparation. These tools offer short reflections, prayers, or activities for each day of Advent, making it easier to maintain focus throughout the season.

Practice Acts of Kindness and Service

Advent is not only a time of spiritual preparation but also an opportunity to grow in charity and love. As a family, look for ways to serve others and practice acts of kindness during this season. Serving others not only prepares our hearts for Christmas but also helps your family live out the Gospel message of love.

• Give to Those in Need: Find a local charity, food drive, or toy collection where your family can donate items to help those in need. Encourage your children to give by choosing a toy or personal item to donate, teaching them the value of generosity.
• Volunteer Together: Look for opportunities to volunteer as a family, whether it’s helping at a soup kitchen, visiting an elderly neighbor, or participating in parish outreach programs. Volunteering together helps foster a spirit of service and love for others.
• Acts of Kindness at Home: Advent is a perfect time to encourage kindness within your own family. Create a kindness jar where each family member can add a slip of paper describing something kind they did for another person. Share these acts of kindness at the end of each week and reflect on how small actions can bring joy and peace to others.

Celebrate the Feasts and Traditions of Advent

Advent is filled with beautiful feasts and traditions that help deepen our understanding of the season and bring joy to the waiting. Incorporating these into your family’s Advent journey can make the season richer and more meaningful.

• Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th): Celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, the inspiration for Santa Claus, by placing small treats or gifts in your children’s shoes the night before. Use this feast as an opportunity to talk about the real St. Nicholas, his generosity, and his love for the poor.
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th): This is a wonderful time to honor Mary and her role in the story of salvation. Attend Mass as a family and reflect on Mary’s example of faith and trust in God.
• Feast of St. Lucy (December 13th): Celebrate the feast of St. Lucy, a martyr known for bringing light to those in darkness. Some families observe this day by lighting candles or having the eldest daughter wear a crown of candles (or an alternative symbol of light) to serve the family breakfast, symbolizing the light of Christ.

Focus on Joyful Anticipation, Not Perfection

As the holidays approach, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to create a “perfect” Christmas. However, Advent is about preparing our hearts, not our homes. Embrace the idea of joyful anticipation rather than striving for perfection.

• Slow Down and Simplify: Avoid overloading your schedule with events and activities that can detract from the spirit of Advent. Instead, focus on quality time together as a family, enjoying simple activities like baking, reading, or spending time outdoors.
• Practice Patience: Advent is a season of waiting. Model patience for your children by finding joy in the anticipation rather than rushing to the celebration. Explain that the waiting helps us appreciate the true meaning of Christmas when it finally arrives.
• Celebrate Small Moments of Joy: Advent can still be a joyful time, even amid waiting. Celebrate small moments of joy—decorating the tree, lighting the candles, or sharing a meal together—as part of the journey toward Christmas.

Living Advent well as a family means embracing the spirit of prayer, service, and joyful anticipation. By focusing on what matters most—preparing our hearts for the coming of Christ—you can create a meaningful and spiritually rich Advent season for your family. Whether through prayer, acts of kindness, or celebrating traditions, the time you spend together deepening your faith will bring lasting joy as you await the birth of Jesus.

May this Advent season draw your family closer to one another and to Christ, reminding you of the hope, peace, joy, and love that this special season brings.