Making Meaningful Resources for Catholic Families to live an Intentional Advent

When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the , for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming. By celebrating the precursor's birth and martyrdom, the Church unites herself to his desire: "He must increase, but I must decrease” (Catechism of the 524)

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016 Advent Customs, Traditions and Devotions

1. and Candles

2. Tree

3. Saint Andrew Novena/ Anticipation Prayer

4. Kris Kringles/Secret Santas

5. Feast of

6. Other Saints and Feast Days of Advent

7. Picture Book tradition

8. Visit to a farm

9. O

10. Sacrifice/Good Deed Manger for Baby

11. Works of Mercy

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016 List of Advent Books, Devotionals and Music

Advent Books and Devotionals for Mom and Dad Come Lord Jesus: Meditations on the Art of Waiting – Mother Mary Francis Advent Companion Donkey Bells – by Catherine Doherty Meditations for Advent – Bishop Bossuet In Conversation with God, Daily Meditations Vol 1: Advent and

Advent Music Advent at Ephesus – the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles Voice of Joy – Friar Alessandro Christmas in Harvard Square – The Boys of Saint Paul’s School Handel’s Messiah Noel- The Priests Gregorian Chant for Advent O Night Divine - L’

Family Devotionals Jesse Tree readings (Salvation history) Jotham’s Journey by Arnold Ytreeide Bartholomew’s Passage by Arnold Ytreeide Tabitha’s Travels by Arnold Ytreeide

Children’s Picture Book List Christmas Cobwebs by Odds Bodkins The Little Fir Tree by Margaret Wise Brown Strega Nona’s Gift by Tomie de Paola The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey by Susan Woiciechowski Oranges for Frankie by Patricia Polacco The Miracle of Saint Nicholas by Gloria Whelan Saint Nicholas by Julie Steigemeyer The Baker’s Dozen by Aaron Shepard The Legend of Saint Nicholas by Demi Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl Buck Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco The Donkey’s Dream by Barbara Helen Berger The Legend of the by Tomie de Paola The Legend of the by Lori Walburg War Game: Village Green to No Man’s Land by Michael Foreman The Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie de Paola

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016 Lucia Morning in Sweden by Ewa Rydaker Papa Panov’s Special Day by Leo Tolstoy (Mig Holder/Julie Downing) The First by Elizabeth Winthrop The Night of by Tomie de Paola Silent Night by Will Moses Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry The Story of Holly and Ivy by Rumer Godden Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson Baby by Jan Brett The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson Mary Engelbreit’s by Mary Engelbreit Bambinelli Sunday by Amy Welborn The Night of Las Posadas byTomie de Paola A by Charles Dickens (Jim Weiss CD)

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016 List of Web Resources

1. Free printable Jesse Tree Ornaments and Readings http://www.domestic-church.com/CONTENT.DCC/19971201/FRIDGE/FRIDGE1.HTM http://michelequigley.com/2010/11/the-jesse-tree/

2. Saint Nicholas activities, stories and printables http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/home/

3. Coloring Pages http://michelequigley.com/2010/12/o-antiphons/

4. O Antiphons Prayer Companion http://familyfeastandferia.com/wp- content/uploads/2015/12/O_antiphons_prayer_companion_rev2015.pdf

5. Advent Wreath prayers http://familyfeastandferia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/advent-wreath-prayers-new- translation3.pdf

6. Christmas Season Prayer Companion http://familyfeastandferia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Christmas_Prayer_Companion_master.pdf

7. for Kids (watch site for 2016 update) http://familyfeastandferia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Advent_cards_2015.pdf

8. Organized Christmas http://christmas.organizedhome.com//

9. Catholic Culture http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/seasons/advent/

10. cooking and recipes http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016 Saint Andrew Novena (Christmas Anticipation Prayer)

Beginning on St. Andrew the Apostle's feast day, November 30, the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming. 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 , in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016 Advent Wreath Prayers (from the Collects)

(To be said each evening when lighting the Advent candles)

Prayer for First Week of Advent Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Second Week of Advent Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Third Week of Advent O God, who sees how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016 Saint Nicholas Prayer for Children

Saint-Nicolas Postcard, France St Nicholas Center Collection From the St. Nicholas Center, www.stnicholascenter.org

God, we pray that through the intercessions of St. Nicholas you will guide and protect our children.

Keep them safe from all harm and help them grow to become loving disciples of Jesus in your sight.

Give them strength to always mature into deeper faith in you, and to keep alive joy in your creation.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

—by Father R. Engbarth, St. Nicholas Church, Aurora, Illinois

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016 Prayer

"Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation - every corner of our day. Amen."

(from http://www.catholic.org/)

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016 Shopping Resources

Advent Candles Advent Candles at Our Lady of Hope bookstore Beeswax Advent Candles made by the Summit Dominicans https://summitdominicans.3dcartstores.com/ADVENT-CANDLES-_p_232.html Make your own beeswax kit http://www.illuminatedink.com/products/4/12/623/

Advent wreaths Our Lady of Hope bookstore The Paschal Lamb Leaflet Missal - https://www.leafletonline.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=advent+wreath Make your own with supplies from Michaels or Joann Fabrics

Jesse Tree items Jesse Tree treasures https://www.etsy.com/shop/JesseTreeTreasures

Saint Nicholas items Cookie cutters https://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/cookie-cutters/ Stickers https://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/stickers/ Toy figure https://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/little-figures/

Gifts, Books, CDs and other Advent items Books and Gifts https://www.sacredheartbooksandgifts.com/index.php? m=4&s=0&mc=55&sc=0 Holy Heroes store http://www.holyheroes.com/Default.asp

Marilyn Wilkinson, 2016