Introduction

Advent is a wonderfultime of the year. It’s a time of baking, gift making, buying, and wrapping. It’s a time of expectant waiting, anticipating, and spiritually preparing for the coming of Christ Jesus.

In the Office of Readings for Wednesday of the first week of Advent, a meditation by St. Bernard of Clairvaux reflects on the three comings of Jesus. The first coming is when Jesus was born and lived on earth. The second is when he comes to live in each of us in spirit and power. The third is when he comes again in majesty and glory. Advent: A Family Celebration offers prayerful, helpful, and fun ways to live out the four weeks of this beautiful season and to celebrate all three of Jesus’ comings.

The major portion of this book is designed to help families reflect each day on the Advent Mass readings. These reflections can be read in conjunction with the lighting of the Advent wreath—a familiar and beloved symbol of Advent used in many Catholic homes. The Advent wreath, with its four candles, helps us to celebrate Christ, the Light who is coming into the world. It also heightens our expectancy of Christ’s coming in the flesh, as each week is marked by the lighting of another candle. The daily Scripture readings and reflections reveal the awesome truth that Christ lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We reflect on Christ’s working in other situations and become more aware of ways he can work in us and through us to hasten the kingdom of God.

Unless otherwise noted, each day’s reflections are based on true stories. Let your children know that these events really happened. They will help your child move from ideas and thoughts about God to recognizing the difference that faith makes in everyday circumstances and

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decisions. Reflections are offered both for younger children and older children, and are geared to their development and experience. Parents can judge for themselves which ones are appropriate for their families.

Another section of the book provides the framework for parents to make and use a “Jesse Tree.” Jesus is “the root of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1)—he was from the house of King David, and Jesse was David’s father. A Jesse Tree traces the history of our redemption from creation through the birth of Jesus. This section features a brief synopsis of a Bible story along with a litany that can be recited each day and suggestions for symbols that can be made or purchased—such as an apple for Adam and Eve or an ark for Noah—to place on the tree. For children, the stories and symbols of the Jesse Tree provide an overview of salvation history and all those Old and New Testament figures who waited patiently for a Savior.

Several additional Advent activities for families are included in this book. Family members can choose to be “Advent angels” to one another and then place a straw in the Christ Child’s crib when they perform an “undercover” act of kindness for that person. In addition to being fun, this activity helps us to become more Christlike and builds the kingdom of God in our homes. If our zeal slips a bit, the story of the Little Juggler will cheer us on to serve with love.

Our celebration of Advent prepares us to eagerly welcome Christ at Christmas and when he comes again in glory. Perhaps your children will enjoy this celebration so much that they will echo the sentiments of other children who say: “Oh no! Is Advent over already?”

Julie Walters

8| Introduction