Preparing your Home Spiritually and Practically for Advent
Advent is a season of preparation, of waiting, of penance, and of repentance. For much of the United States, Advent is just the opposite. In fact, it is not Advent at all. It has become a season filled with parties, Christmas decorations, sweets, treats, and a frenzy of activity. In the weeks building up to the Birth of Christ, it is easy to become consumed in those activities the rest of our culture is practicing.
Instead, as faithful Christians devoted to Tradition, how do we make Advent a time to quiet our hearts in reflection, to prepare our homes, and to wait in anticipation of the coming Savior?
The Church teaches us: “[W]hen the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior’s first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating [John the Baptist’s] birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: He must increase, but I must decrease” (Catechism, no. 524; original emphasis).
To prepare for the Christmas season, then, one must first make ready her own heart with prayer, intention, and resolve. Like a mother waits for the birth of her child, counting down the days, her heart and mind are filling with excitement, nervousness, and hope to meet her child. We too ought to spend the Advent season longing for Jesus.
1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
After preparing your own heart, however, it is time to prepare your home, so your family members may be ready, too. It is the responsibility of the parent to foster a home environment that educates children in Scripture and Doctrine of the Faith and guides them to embrace the appropriate Christian Tradition for each liturgical season. As a parent, the traditions of your home are largely decided by you. Notice that these are “traditions” with a small “t.” Those little things outside the requirements, such as trimmings, foods, candles, etc. are the little ways you make your home reflect the season. These are largely your choice and therefore, what you decide now informs your children about how to think and act during a season.
Having a plan before Advent arrives helps you begin the season on time and enables you to be consistent throughout the season. So, make some decisions and go! You might not try everything this year, but choose a place to start and begin building your family’s small traditions. Continue ...
To help your home be spiritually ready for Advent, we have available for purchase Advent & Christmas Family Story Hour and The First Christmas Tree audio recordings in CD (with download), or download only options.