Evangelization/Parish Renewal

Advent and Christmas Resources

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS RESOURCES 2024

Check out a few online resources to help you, your family and your community journey through the season of Advent.
 

Archdiocese of Chicago

Calendar Notes for Advent and Christmas 2024 (English | Español)
Advent Reflection (English | Español)

Advent-Christmas Liturgical Preparation Aid

The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) once again provides a liturgical preparation aid for the seasons of Advent and Christmas.  This annual, seasonal resource is now posted on the public pages of the FDLC website, in English and Spanish. (Link)

Prayer & Reflection

For Parish Leaders:

  • Advent Resources | USCCB - Advent resources from the USCCB, including the Blessing of Advent Wreaths and Christmas Trees, Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene, Lectio Divina for Advent, Liturgical Notes on Advent, and the ‘O Antiphons’ of Advent.
  • Advent Intergenerational Event - Bring your parish family together to celebrate the season of Advent and build a community that is "Waiting for Jesus Christ" together.
  • Actively Waiting for Advent – A free, downloadable prayer packet from Joe Paprocki of Loyola Press that includes 2 Advent prayers services, a guided reflection for classroom use, and more.
  • Strong Catholic Family Faith – Advent resources and activities to celebrate the season of Advent in families, parishes and Catholic schools.

For Families:

MORE RESOURCES

Ave Maria Press

Adore: A Guided Journal for Prayer and Meditation (Link)

Catholic Relief Services

Sign up for the CRS online Advent calendar (Link)

Chicago Catholic

Gift Guide (Link)

Creighton University

A rich and powerful season of the Church year, we often miss Advent's power because these December weeks are full of secular Christmas parties and preparations for Christmas. Each year, the busyness of this season serves to distract us from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning. These reflections for adults help us with the un-named anticipation or longing in our hearts.  They allow us to enter into the experience of our darkness and therefore to give glory to God for the Light.

Ignatian Spirituality Resources

Enjoy Ignatian contemplation and reflective resources for the season of Advent, including video reflections, sign-up for daily e-mail reflections, online Advent calendar, podcasts, Advent examen, and articles. (Link)

Loyola Press – 3-Minute Retreats

3-Minute Retreats invite you to take a short prayer break right at your computer to spend some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage. Enjoy the First Sunday of Advent Retreat and many other titles. New 3-Minute Retreats are added daily. Sign up here to receive them by email. Available in English & Spanish

Xavier University

Advent and Christmas Resources (Link)

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FROM AMAZON.COM

Advent and Christmas Wisdom from Henri J.M. Nouwen: Daily Scripture and Prayers together with Nouwen's Own Words.
The inspiring words of Henri J. M. Nouwen guide the faithful on a spiritual journey through the Advent and Christmas season in this book of waiting, hope, anticipation, and celebration. Each day of the Advent season (28 in all, to accommodate the varying number of days in the season) and each day of Christmas (12 in all, ending with Jesus' baptism in the Jordan by John the Baptist) contain a pertinent excerpt from the writings of Father Nouwen, a related quotation from Scripture, a prayer for the day, and a suggested activity that offers a concrete response to mark the season.
(Link)

 

When God Comes Down: An Advent Study for Adults.
‘When God Comes Down’ is a five-week study, providing one lesson for each week of Advent and one for Christmas. Each lesson includes a key Scripture, a brief reflection, discussion/reflection questions, a brief prayer, and a focus for the coming week. In this study, Harnish explores the meaning of the incarnation…God with us in human flesh. (Link)