Immaculate Heart | Raising {&Teaching} Little Saints

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

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)