Faith Formation

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD IS COME!

Advent offers sacred space

Advent makes no demands, but instead quietly offers sacred space. In Advent, we are presented with choices. We choose to shop, to clean, to wrap and decorate. We can, if we wish, choose to confine these distractions, set boundaries. We can choose instead, silence, prayer, fasting, sharing our love and our lives in more authentic ways. Advent doesn’t demand our attention; in fact it can slip quietly by without our taking notice at all. If we intentionally pursue Advent, though, we find sacred space in her gentle invitation.

The Spirituality of Advent – Bishop Barron

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAWnDA5cWD8

The True Meaning of Advent – Fr. Mike Schmitz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD357YYDk1A

Advent makes straight our path

Like the outstretched hands of a mother supporting the tentative first steps of her toddler, Advent guides us to the joy that will be Christmas. Keeping our eyes fixed on the liturgy and seasonal practices of Advent, we are led ever more deeply into the mystery of God who will become an infant child, in order to share his divine life with us. We prepare for his arrival, not only as a weak human infant, but as he arrives again in glory and power!

How to Celebrate Advent Like a Catholic

https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/how-to-celebrate-advent-like-a-catholic-5923

What Did Mary Do for Advent?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7MZ23Y9JtY

8 Practical Ways to get ready for Advent – Teaching Catholic Kids

https://teachingcatholickids.com/8-practical-ways-to-get-ready-for-advent/

Journey through Advent - CCCB

https://www.cccb.ca/liturgy-sacraments/resources-in-english/liturgical-calendar/video-reflections/

Advent holds promise.

The season of Advent is often compared to the breathless anticipation of an expectant mother, feeling the life stirring within her. We, too, are waiting on the birth of a child, the long-awaited Saviour. The world about us is restless, but we find solace in the peaceful serenity of Mary, carrying the infant Christ in her womb. In the darkness we will see a great light, the light of our salvation!

Mary Did You Know – Clay Aiken

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Uki0dkthzI

The Veil Removed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOLZDaTgIaM&feature=emb_logo

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwell in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing .... For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9; 1-2, 5)

 

Preparing through Advent with young children at home? Try this series of daily Advent reflections from Brother Francis.

As you erect the tree this year, be prepared to have a conversation with your family about why we bring SEVEN-FOOT EVERGREENS into our livingrooms every Christmas. We take our Christmas traditions for granted, but consider just how ridiculous this sounds! What about the angel or star, the lights, the ornaments - what does all this signify to Christians? Open the door to a more meaningful Christmas by attending to the deeper understanding offered in these simple traditions, and by sharing this understanding as you decorate your tree.