It’s already the Second Sunday of Advent. The Church gives us a whole season to prepare for Christmas. Advent can be a wonderful experience, especially when we don’t overly complicate it, BUT we need to prepare intentionally. Here are my “Do’s and “Don’ts” for your consideration:
DO’s · Decorate your home with your faith in mind displaying an Advent wreath and/or calendar in a prominent location - or a Creche outside your home. · Let people know that Christmas is about Christ by using Nativity Christmas Cards and Madonna stamps instead of their secular counterparts. · Use your Advent wreath as your table centerpiece when hosting friends. · Light your Advent wreath during each meal, and focus your prayers on the themes of each week: hope, peace, love, and joy. · Go to confession! Someone recently referred to Reconciliation as “the sacrament of peace.” Hearing that our sins are forgiven by someone “with skin on” fills us with peace. · Watch Faith-filled movies such as The Chosen: The Story of the First Christmas, The Nativity Story, The Star, It’s a Wonderful Life or A Charlie Brown Christmas. · Play Advent music such as The Advent of Christmas by Matt Maher and share your playlist with others. · Find a way to give and/or serve. Help someone — or a few people!
Don’ts · Don’t Rush - Even with the hustle and bustle that will inevitably come every December, find moments of slowness, steadiness and quiet. · Don’t try to do it all · Don’t be afraid to say no · Don’t Be a Scrooge and complain about everything you have to do · Don’t forget friends, family or neighbors who might be alone Don’t let expectations ruin your Advent In the end, we can address our busyness and model what the Advent season is meant to be. Christmas is, after all, when we remember that Christ came despite the hustle and bustle and craziness of life. He came — and brought peace.