For my Roman Catholic friends, Advent will start this Sunday, 3 December. If you’d like to join me in this season of Advent, welcome! Before Advent starts, let’s take a moment to think about how we want our Advent to look, and what we’d like to get out of it over the next month. Then you’ll have time to take any actions you need to start Advent on the weekend. Righto, let’s get into it!
What is the focus of Advent for you?
The Church sees this time as one of reflecting on the second coming of Christ. This means preparing with joyful expectation for His coming, when we hope to be united with Him. Of course, that also means doing penance for our sins and clearing our hearts of bad or overgrown attachments. This is the overarching message of Advent.
But I’d like you to think about what you would like to focus on this Advent. Perhaps there is a particular weakness you would like to strengthen. Maybe you need to refocus your prayer life, or make more time for loved ones. You could even offer up these next few weeks for a special intention. Up to you! Just take a moment to identify what you want to focus on. Once you know what you want to achieve from this time, you’ll be better prepared to make the next step.
Take some things away
This is the hard bit! What things can you go without for these next few weeks, to help you reach the goal you already identified. Less screen time? No sweets? Maybe you’ll stop watching TV or decide not to shop for unnecessary items. The idea is to offer things up. It’s also about creating space in your life for better things.
It’s also about creating space, full stop. You don’t have to be doing things all the time. This is a great time to build some periods of stillness and silence into your life, even if it’s only 15 minutes a day.
My other suggestion is less deep, but I think adds to the spirit of Advent. Don’t decorate your house for Christmas all at once. Each week, as you get closer to Christmas, put a few more of your decorations out. Build slowly, so that you also build the anticipation of the feast day.
Add in some Advent traditions
Now that you’ve taken things out, let’s add things back in. But go easy! The point about adding in these traditions is to enhance the season and help you to the goal, not to overwhelm!
What do you need to add in to reach that goal? For example, I’ll give up watching television (taking out) so that I can have more time in the evening for spiritual reading (adding in). Find what works for you.
Traditions can be fun as well a thoughtful or challenging. I would encourage you to set up an Advent wreath in your home, so you can light the candles each week as you count down to Christmas. Advent calendars with a nativity theme are also beautiful.
Don’t forget the Advent saints!
And don’t forget all the little feast days we have in December! There’s St Nicholas Day, which in Holland is a day you find goodies in your shoes. In Norway on St Lucy’s Day, they enjoy a saffron brioche, woven in a crown as they reflect on the life of the saint and the coming Light of Christ. In Mexico, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a wonderful excuse for spiced hot chocolate and for revisiting the story of Mary’s appearance to Juan Diego. These little feasts are a wonderful excuse for a low key celebration. They feel especially nice when you’re giving things up, I must say.
That’s’ a big part of what makes a quiet Advent so lovely. When you finally get to Christmas it is so much more wonderful! The house is finally decked out in that last week, so everything is exciting and new. All the candles are lit! You’re having all the delicious Christmas treats you’ve been waiting for all month! After all your waiting, reflection and sacrificing CHRISTMAS IS HERE!
Trust me, you’re going to have the best Christmas yet.
[…] week of Advent is here, and time to have an annual review. How did you go last week on setting up your Advent plans? This week has two lovely feast days in it: St Nicholas and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. […]