I Know Its Early, But...advent?

[jazzytakara]

Growing up Protestant, I have never experienced a full celebration and appreciation for Advent. We had the candles, but really the only 'advent' I experienced were the chocolate calenders, the celebration: when they extended the countdown until New Years =p

Now as amazing as those cheap little chocolates were (and are), what is the Catholic experience of Advent like, its signficance, special celebrations, etc. I am looking to start some new traditions this year and fully experience Advent (and later on next year, Lent as well). Can anyone offer me any explanations and suggestions? =)

[arfink]

The Catholic experience of advent? Well, I can tell you about my experience with advent. It's a very solemn time, but not unjoyful. We wait patiently for the Nativity, preparing in quiet joy for the explosion of amesomeness that Christmas is when it finally comes.

In the seminary we tried to keep out the grating din of the "holiday season" that cheapens the meaning of our Silent Night, choosing instead to remain in relative quiet. We didn't do penances per say, but it was a time of special silence, solitude, and expectant waiting for us. It was very solemn, but filled with joy.

Practically, what this meant for us is just a few simple things. We wouldn't play Christmas music before hand, we wouldn't decorate "for the season" but rather for the Holy Day, and when we did we made sure it was explicitly holy. We were asked to refrain from playing loud music for those who wished to seek out silence, and were encouraged to seek it for ourselves instead of burying ourselves under a pair of headphones. I was always really bad at that part, but I have fond memories of taking my rosary with me on a walk along the snow-covered bluffs of the Mississippi river on a cold and quiet night.

Edited August 28, 2012 by arfink

[cmotherofpirl]

For my family Advent is about expectations and not an all race to Christmas. So we don't watch Christmas shows or listen to Christmas music, avoid stores whenever possible. The Advent wreath is on the table and the Jesse tree is on the sideboard, but the house is not decorated until the last few days of Advent. When the kids were little they chose a name of someone in the family and they had to make a present for them for the gift exchange. We celebrated the feasts of the month, and the kids did make their Christmas wish lists on St. Nicholas's feast day.
When Christmas gets here we celebrate it the entire week starting with a party on Christmas Eve, and this is when we watch all the Christmas specials( saved on tape). On occasion we make a birthday cake for Jesus. The Magi start their journey across the dining room on Christmas Eve to get to the manger by New Years

So we don't do Christmas UNTIL Christmas actually arrives. However we can be working on Christmas presents madly in the night when everyone else is asleep but that is only for the elves to know.

Here is a link to various Advent activities: [url="http://catholicism.about.com/od/adventactivities/Advent_Activities.htm"]http://catholicism.a..._Activities.htm[/url]


[url="http://www.catholicculture.org/search/searchResults.cfm?querynum=1&searchid=900240&page=2&showcount=10"]http://www.catholicc...=2&showcount=10[/url]


[url="http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/music-for-advent-and-christmas/article/198"]http://www.aquinasan...mas/article/198[/url]


[url="http://www.osv.com/OSV4MeNav/ChurchSeasons/AdventResources/DefinitiveGuidetoAdvent/tabid/7301/Default.aspx"]http://www.osv.com/O...01/Default.aspx[/url]


Many of the above activities say for kids but there is no reason you have to wait to have children to create stuff for a feast. We are a Church of smells and bells, so enjoy yourself.

[Slappo]

Pay close attention to the advent readings and how they are related to Christ coming. During advent we ought to remember the eschaton, the four last things. Death, judgement, heaven, and hell. Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Christ, but not just the coming of Christ as an infant on Christmas. We are also to look towards His second coming and the end of times. That is why advent is both joyful and solemn.

[Vincent Vega]

People forget that Advent, too, is a penitential season. Note the color of the vestments later this year.

[BG45]

Advent is always an interesting time for me in the diocese I'm in. As US Airways says, it's a penitential season, even though we joyfully await the coming of our Lord. It's always amazing to go to Confession during this time, because it seems like so many people are.

[dominicansoul]

the "O" Antiphons are my favorite part of advent ...

[sixpence]

We always did the advent wreath and sometimes the Jesse tree.
[quote name='cmotherofpirl' timestamp='1346164872' post='2475297']
The Magi start their journey across the dining room on Christmas Eve to get to the manger by New Years
[/quote]

I do this too...except they mostly hang out on the kitchen bay window...

I guess the most important thing to keep in mind is that Christmas starts on Dec 25 and continues until the Feast of the Baptism (or at the very least Epiphany). There was a fun youtube video about advent last year, I'll see if I can find it

[sixpence]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S02KOlw7dlA

[Maximilianus]

I observe Advent like a mini Lent, not as austere, yet acknowledging it's penitential nature.

BTW, I expect more people to participate in the annual FlockDraw advent wreaths this year.

[Theresita Nerita]

This blog (a reprint of Maria Von Trapp's book about Austrian Catholic traditions around the Liturgical Year) (yes, Maria Von Trapp of the real-life [i]Sound of Music[/i]) really got me into Advent for the first time. It has traditional recipes and activities with Catholic significance, Advent Carols (separate from Christmas Carols), and razzle dazzle traditions.

http://vontrapp.wordpress.com/2010/11/

I especially liked the "Christkindl" idea. If I had kids, I think I would do it.

http://vontrapp.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/patron-saints-and-christkindl/

Have fun with your first full-on Advent!

[Ed Normile]

Advent, which roughly means coming is a time for family. A time for anticipation of the coming of Christ. I doubt there is any way to wrongly celebrate it, one should be joyful and appreciative and mindful of what it ends with, the birth of the Saviour. This includes repentance and trying to share the joy that we as catholic christians were gifted through the sacrifice of Jesus. Have fun, be joyful, contemplative and prayerful.

ed

[filius_angelorum]

Well, it will be here before you know it!

I cannot speak for most Catholics, but for me it is a time to really enjoy the Church's musical tradition, which really comes out during this season. I love, on the one hand, the beautiful Advent hymns and carols coming from the Middle Ages, especially those in Latin, and on the other hand, the beautiful modern and old German hymns, although the latter are mostly of Lutheran progeny. I love the O Antiphons and the readings at Holy Mass.

Advent would, of course, be my favorite season, if not for all the commercialization. Instead, Lent had to take the prize.