Advent and Christmas Resources
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS RESOURCES 2023
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 2023 (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
- This collection of Advent Prayers from Hallow will help you to feel God’s calming presence in your life amid the many distractions of November and December.
- Saying Yes to God: Mary's Yes - Saying Yes to God: Joseph’s Yes - Saying Yes to God: Our Yes - Guided inspirations with Advent Reflections, Action Prompts, and Prayer Prompts which lead toward appreciating how Mary & Joseph responded to God's invitation.
- Available as a free download, this Scriptural Advent Calendar & Blessings Kit is an engaging and prayerful way to reflect during Advent on the twenty-five names and identities of the coming Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Celebrate Advent Joy Reflection Guides – Reflection guides from Maryknoll for groups of all ages and for Families on Mission for each Sunday of Advent, from Maryknoll.
- Digital Advent Calendar – Sign up to receive a daily email starting the first Sunday of Advent through January 9, 2023, with an image of a crèche from a different part of the world, accompanied by a reflective description.
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:
- Living Advent – A 4-week journey to help families intentionally prepare their hearts and homes for Jesus.
- Advent Wreath Symbolism and Blessing - A 1-page description of the symbolism of the Advent wreath with a prayer to bless an Advent wreath.
- Advent Prayers for Families – A variety of downloadable prayers for families from Sadlier.
- Advent and Christmas Crafts and Activities for Kids – A large variety of printable Advent activities for children and families from Catholic Icing.
- Strong Catholic Family Faith – Advent resources and activities to celebrate the season of Advent in families, parishes and Catholic schools.
- Five Distinctively Catholic Ways To Celebrate Christmas As A Couple – Suggestions for continuing to cultivate prayer, reverence, and wonder with your fiancé(e) or spouse.
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)