Everyone loves the anticipation of Christmas. For many, it means shopping for gifts, celebrating with family and friends, and enjoying delicious treats. For Christians, however, the beginning of the Advent marks the anticipation of something far more meaningful: the coming of the infant Christ to dwell on earth. 

While we enjoy the warmth and joy of this sacred season, it’s important to center our preparations on the birth of Christ. Here are a few simple ideas for how to celebrate Advent with Christ at the center.

What is Advent in the Catholic Church?

For centuries, Christians have celebrated Advent as a spiritual, reflective, and prayerful preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas. The term “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which literally means “coming.”  

Celebrating Advent is something anyone can participate in, but it holds special significance for the Church. Advent in the Catholic Church celebrates multiple ways that Christ “arrives” to us, including the mystery of the Incarnation, His presence in our lives today, and the hope of His future coming. 

Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas, preparing us for the Feast of Nativity when we celebrate Christ’s birth. The Advent season is full of strong reminders of the journey we’re called to — Christ’s coming to dwell with us reminds us to walk in faith and live in communion with Him.

The Importance of Celebrating Advent

Advent is more than a way to count down the days until Christmas. The Advent season is a holy time, dedicated to preparing our hearts for the coming of the Christ child. By reflecting on Christ’s miraculous coming, we can recenter our hearts on our savior.

Prayer and fasting during Advent allow us to grow in our relationship with Christ, give thanks for His wondrous works, and rely on Him daily. Though we give thanks for fellowship with Christ throughout the year, Advent is a special time of simplicity and peace.

5 Ways Celebrate Advent

The celebration of Advent occurs within our parishes and Churches, but our family’s anticipation of the Feast of Nativity can begin at home. Here are some easy ways to celebrate Advent with your loved ones.

Keep an Advent Calendar

Advent calendars are a simple way to track the days until Christmas. Read Scripture related to the events of Christmas, or simply mark off the days and take a moment to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation.

Light and Pray Around an Advent Wreath

Advent candle wreaths are a Catholic tradition for tracking the weeks until the Feast of Nativity. Four colored candles arranged in a circle and surrounded by evergreen branches represent the four Sundays until Christmas. Three of the candles are purple which represents a time of penitential reflection, while the final pink candle symbolizes the third Sunday of Advent’s joyful anticipation of Christ’s birth.

As you light the candles during the Advent season, take the opportunity to engage in meaningful Advent prayer and read Scripture. 

Set Up a Jesse Tree

A Jesse tree is a family-friendly, Christ-centered way to reflect on the generations of Biblical figures leading up to Jesus, starting with Adam and ending with Christ Himself. The Catholic Jesse tree tradition comes from Isaiah 11:1, which prophesied, “A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Each day of Advent, take time to learn about one of Jesus’ ancestors and thank God for His plan for the redemption of His people.

Each day, your scripture reading is paired with an ornament symbolizing a biblical figure or event, gradually building anticipation for Christmas.

Read the Gospel of Luke

What better way to reflect on and understand the significance of the Incarnation than reading through the Gospel story? Luke’s Gospel offers a more in-depth narrative surrounding Jesus’ birth than the other accounts and has exactly 24 chapters, making it an ideal Advent exploration. Begin with Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth and end with His Resurrection and Ascension.

Pray the Angelus

The Angelus is a prayer commemorating the Incarnation and paying homage to Mary’s role in Christ’s coming. It is based on the Angel Gabriel’s words to Mary at the Annunciation. Advent is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the meaning of the Angelus prayer and be filled with gratitude for the Incarnation.

Anticipate Christ’s Coming with Advent Wreath Prayers

If you’re looking for a family-friendly, Christ-centered Advent devotional, download our prayer resource. It is designed to be used alongside an Advent candle wreath, with a prayer and reflection for each day (Monday through Saturday during Advent) and a unique prayer for each of the four Sundays in Advent. 

Each Sunday prompt includes:

• The Gospel for the Day

• A Prayer

• A Prompt for Reflection and Sharing

• A “Through a Child’s Eyes” Section (explanations specifically for children)

Our prayer is that you will be filled with gratitude and reflection this Advent season as we contemplate the coming of Christ.