Advent begins Dec. 1 for Catholics worldwide

This year, Advent begins Sunday, Dec. 1, and ends Tuesday, Dec. 24. Cues are everywhere: the all-Christmas radio channel, the all-Christmas movie channel, and Advent calendars with everything from coffee to cosmetics. But how can people turn down the commercial chatter and bring the joyful season of Advent into their lives?

Just as in Lent, the Catholic Church encourages prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth. The four weeks are traditionally divided into reflections on hope, preparation, joy, and love.

Aside from Sunday Mass and its communal reflections, here are some ways to enhance Advent this year.

• Take advantage of Advent devotional readings. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has Advent readings on its website at www.usccb.org, and many seasonal reading collections are available, such as Bishop Robert Barron’s Advent reflections at www.wordonfire.org or the Hallow app.
• Traditional home Advent celebrations often revolve around Advent candles or wreaths. Advent calendars—plain and fancy—can mark each day, no matter how old you are.
• Some families set up their nativity scene for the season, but without Mary, Joseph, and the Christ Child. The Holy Family is set somewhere else in the room, but each day they are moved a little closer to “Bethlehem,” until they arrive at the stable on Christmas Eve.
• A “giving manger” also helps young children prepare for the season. When they do a good deed each day, they can place a piece of straw into an empty manger in the Christmas creche. Ideally, the crib is full of soft straw by the time Baby Jesus arrives.
• Another tradition is to not decorate your Christmas tree all at once, but put up one Advent ornament each day.
• Use Christmas cards as prayer reminders. Each day, pick a card from those you’ve received, and pray for the person who sent it.
• Use the liturgical calendar from your parish to connect with the saints during Advent. Read about the saint of the day and ask for their intercession for someone or something close to you.
• Instead of just signing your name to a holiday card, take time to write a note of encouragement and gratitude. Include both people you know who are struggling, and those who seem to be doing just fine.
• Fasting isn’t necessarily abstaining from food. Especially during the busy holiday season, fast from noise, stress, and media. Try to cut back on news, entertainment, politics, and other avoidable distractions.
• Christmas feasting can mean a splendid meal at your own table, but it can also be a simple meal provided to someone in need, through a food bank or a community dinner.
• Focus on special gifts for a community or parish “angel tree”. For the person who has everything, a card saying that a gift was purchased in their name for a needy child or family might be the perfect gift.