Advent is the (roughly) 4 week season before Christmas when Catholic and other Christians commemorate the first coming of Christ and anticipate his second coming. The first Sunday of Advent can fall on any date between (and including) November 27 and December 3 of each year. This year Advent begins on December 2nd. These are the start dates for the next four years:
2013: December 1; 2014: November 30; 2015: November 29; and 2016: November 27
2013: December 1; 2014: November 30; 2015: November 29; and 2016: November 27
Liturgical Facts on Advent:
Liturgical Color(s): Violet (optional: Rose for 3rd Advent)
Type of Holiday: Season; Fast
Time of Year: Roughly 4 weeks before Christmas
Duration: 4 Sundays and their weeks ending at Christmas Eve
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Jesus’ first and second comings
Alternate Names: None
Scriptural References: Isaiah 2:1-5,7:10-14, Jeremiah 33:14-16, Zephaniah 3:14-18, Micah 5:2-5a, Matthew 24:37-44, Romans 13:11-14
Catholic Encyclopedia: Advent
Awesome Ideas Around the Web for Advent
Jesse Trees & Ornaments:
- O Jesse Tree, O Jesse Tree… How Crafty are Your Branches! at Catholic Icing
- Jesse Tree Readings and Coloring Pages at Shower of Roses
- Jesse Tree ornaments at Paper Dali
- Jesse Tree Treasures for Advent at Shower of Roses
Calendars/Chains:
- Homemade Advent Calendars: Links of Lightbulbs (6) at Arma Dei
- Faith Activities for an Advent Calendar at Tercets
- Our Favorite Advent Calendar at Shower of Roses
- Advent Calendar Countdown with Activities (and Printable!) at the Three Sided Wheel
Wreaths:
- Advent – a Time of Waiting Craft by Designs by Birgit
- Easy Advent Wreath at Catholic Inspired
- ADVENTuresome Family Fun at Catholic Sistas (Advent wreath instructions)
- Make Pink and Purple Advent Candles at Catholic Icing
- The Advent Wreath at Shower of Roses
- Felt Advent Wreath at Happier than a Bird’s Quilts (tutorial)
- Advent Wreath Craft for Kids at Catholic Icing
- Advent Log from at Sun and Candlelight
- Advent Wreath Craft for Catholic Kids at Catholic Icing
- Printable Advent Chain at The Catholic Toolbox
- Printable Nativity Advent Chain at Catholic Icing
Nativities:
- DIY Printable Nativity for Kids at Catholic Icing (hide Baby Jesus)
- Bible Paper Toys :: Free Printable Paper Nativity Set at Shower of Roses
- A Manger for Baby Jesus at Shower of Roses
- Crèche Mania at Paper Model Kiosk
- Putting Jesus in the Creche – A Family Tradition at Catholic Icing
- Homemade Nativities: Links of Light Bulbs (7) + linky! at Arma Dei
Educational:
- Celebrating the Liturgical Year with Children: Advent at RLS (printable)
- Advent Adventure by Holy Heroes (sign up)
- Happy New Church Year! at the Three Sided Wheel
- Advent is Coming Lapbook at That Resource Site
- Lesson Plan- (Pre K – K): Advent at The Catholic Toolbox
- Planning a Simple, Yet Complete Advent at Training Happy Hearts
- Nativity Sensory Bin for Christmas at Catholic Icing
- O Antiphons at Catholic Cuisine
- Advent Wreath- (file folder game) at The Catholic Toolbox
- Advent: A Season of Joy and Preparation Faith Folder at Faith Folders for Catholics
Books & Book Baskets:
- Books: Advent, Christmas and Beyond at the Careless Catholic
- {Preparing for Advent} Book Basket for Parents at Three Sided Wheel
- Advent and Christmas with Tomie de Paola and Others at In the Heart of My Home
- {Preparing for Advent} Book Basket for Children at Three Sided Wheel
- Advent/Christmas Books at Catholic Baby Steps
- Favorite Advent and Christmas Books Link-Up at Shower of Roses
- Toward Living Advent and Christmas at Wildflower and Marbles
- The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan
Movies:
(THANK YOU FRIENDS: I want to thank all of you on our Facebook page that contributed to this list of Advent/Christmas movies): (shout outs for those who suggested these)
- The Nativity Story (Jennifer D.)
- Little Drummer Boy (Katie M.)
- Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (Lindsey B.)
- Veggietales: Saint Nicholas – A Story of Joyful Giving! (Erika D.)
- Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa (Elizabeth B.)
- Juan Diego: Messenger of Guadalupe
- The Crippled Lamb (Martianne S.)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Mark Z.)
- It’s a Wonderful Life (Melissa G.)
- White Christmas (Melissa G.)
- Christmas Carol (Melissa G.)
- Holiday Inn (Melissa G.)
- Charlie Brown Christmas (Melissa G.)
- Christmas Box (Melissa G.)
- Garfield’s Christmas (Elisabeth A.)
- I want a Dog for Christmas Charlie Brown (Erika D.)
- California Raisin Christmas Special (Elisabeth A.)
- Miracle on 34th Street (Elisabeth A.)
- Elf (Sarah G.)
- The Very First Noel (Cristina O.)
- Bells of St. Marys (Renee R.)
- Going My Way (Renee R.)
- One Magic Christmas (Erika D.)
General Posts:
- Advent at Saint Augustine Classical Academy
- Advent: Ideas, Celebrations, & Links at Paper Dali
- Veni Emmanuel – Happy New Year! at Raising Little Saints
- 6 Ways to Kick Off Advent With a Religious Bang! And a Linky 🙂 at Catholic Icing
- Celebrating the Birth of Christ at Hubbards Cupboard
- Keeping Advent, Our family traditions at The Rosary Chick
- On the Way to Bethlehem at My Little Flower
- Preparing for Advent at Forever and For Always
- Preparing for Preparing at Work and Play Day by Day
Prayers:
- Christmas Novena to St. Andrew at Raising Little Saints
- Epiphany House Blessing at Catholic Icing
- Blessing Of An Advent Wreath at the USCCB
- Christmas Novena to St. Andrew (Printable) at the Three Sided Wheel
- St. Andrew Christmas Novena at Joy Filled Family
- Christmas Novena at A Catholic Domestic Engineer
- Christmas Anticipation Prayer at Joy Filled Family
Music:
- The Advent of Our King
- Creator of the Stars of Night
- Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
- Holy is His Name
- O Come, Divine Messiah
- Come, O Long Expected Jesus
- Comfort, Comfort O My People
- On Jordan’s Bank
- The Coming of Our God
- The King Shall Come
- Lift Up Your Heads, Almighty Gates
- People, Look East
- Of the Father’s Heart Begotten
- Rejoice, Rejoice Believers
- O Come, Divine Messiah
- On Jordan’s Bank
- Rorate, caeli desuper
- Wake, O Wake & Sleep No Longer
- When The King Shall Come Again
- The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came
- Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
- Hark! A Thrilling Voice is Sounding
- Gabriel’s Song
- Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
- Emmanuel
Recipes:
- Happy Birthday Jesus Cake with Nativity Cookies! at Catholic Icing
- Starlight Cookies for the last week of Advent at Catholic Cuisine
- How to Make Saffron Buns for St. Lucia Day at Catholic Icing
- O Antiphons :: Incorporating an Old Monastic Tradition in the Home at Catholic Cuisine
- Food Ideas for O Antiphons at Catholic Icing
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