Click to view slides from the Advent Family Dinner  

Ideas for Family Advent Devotions:

Beginner Level 

(options for those new to or overwhelmed by Liturgical Living)

Catholic New Year’s celebration on Saturday, November 30. The First Sunday of Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year, so celebrate New Year’s Eve the night before! Noisemakers, games, snacks, and a midnight (or midevening) countdown! 

Nativity Countdown: Set up the crèche (stable) of your Nativity scene on one end of a table, buffet, shelf or mantle, placing only the animals inside. At the beginning of Advent place Mary and Joseph on the opposite side, and move them a little closer to the crèche each day, so that they arrive on Christmas Eve. Overnight, add the Baby Jesus so that He is present when you wake up on Christmas morning. During Christmas Day, begin the Three Kings’ journey toward the scene, arriving at Epiphany on January 6.

Light the candle/s on your family’s Advent wreath each Sunday: Read the Gospel reading for that day, and discuss ways to experience each week’s theme: hope, love, joy, peace

Intermediate Level

(options for families ready for something a little more)

Daily Advent Calendar: To help build anticipation and emphasize patience and waiting. Usually one quick thing each day, such as scripture verse, prayer, sticker, activity, treat—I’ve even seen one that had puzzle pieces each day, and created a nativity scene by Christmas Eve. Look for Catholic themes. Advent Calendars can be store-bought, printable, or homemade. Click here for a versatile free printable

Pray the St. Andrew’s Christmas Anticipation Novena: Prayed for 25 days (rather than 9), beginning on St. Andrew’s Feast Day, November 30th. Pray the short prayer 15 times per day thinking of your special intentions. Remember, we are not called to perfection in prayer, but to grow in discipline and faithfulness. If you miss a day (or two, or three) don’t give up! The prayer: 

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen. 

Straw for Baby Jesus: Create a “manger” for Baby Jesus using a small crate or shoebox covered in brown paper. Begin Advent with an empty manger, and add a piece of “straw” (strips of yellow/tan paper will do) each time you or your child does a kind deed. Each kind deed is a gift to Baby Jesus, making his manger softer and warmer for His arrival on Christmas.

Advanced Level

(options for those experienced at Liturgical Living)

Pray a Jesse Tree devotional: This devotion outlines Salvation History from Adam and Eve to Jesus, to help us prepare for His coming. Read, reflect, and pray with one scripture reading per day, usually for 24 days. Often there is an ornament or token to hang or display corresponding to each day of the devotion. Many versions available online, please add "catholic" to your search terms. Click here for a  printable Jesse Tree set  

Celebrate the Saint’s Feast Days during Advent, Choose one or more of the following: 

•  St. Nicholas December 6 

• St. Ambrose December 7 

• Feast of Immaculate Conception December 8 (Holy Day) 

• St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe December 9/12 

• St. Lucy December 13 

Click here for a list of 8 Saints of Advent with info and ideas for celebrating them

Participate in one or more service projects as a family during Advent. Choose one from the parish or another charitable organization. 

• Christmas Angel Gifts 

• Christmas Food Boxes 

• Christmas Connection: donate, adopt, or volunteer Click here for more info or to sign up

• School food/toy drives 

• Serve a meal at the shelter