By Bernadette Mooney
Christmas is approaching and what better way is there to get into the Christmas Spirit than with an Advent Calendar. Open one every day until Christmas and embrace this time of joy and giving.
Today is the first day of December. Embrace the Christmas spirit by listening to some Christmas music. If you need some ideas,browse our article on different Christmas songs by Alaysia Frager.
Today is the official start of Advent. Advent is the season of preparation for Christmas. Think about how you can improve yourself this advent.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
If you haven't already, you should try to pray St Andrew's Novena to prepare for Christmas. It's a prayer said 15 times a day (and though that may sound like a lot, it's really not) every day until Christmas. It's a great way to prepare yourself spiritually. “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 the piercing cold.
In that hour vouchsafe, 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.”
If you have any extra lunch today, share it with someone. Remember that we're in the season of giving.
If you are planning on buying gifts for your family, it's always best to start as early as possible. Make a list of what you need and start thinking about what you're getting your loved ones.
“Christmas isn’t just a temporal celebration or the memory of a beautiful (event); Christmas is more…Christmas is an encounter!” -Pope Francis
Try to reach out to one person you haven’t talked to in a while. Whether it’s a grandparent or an old friend, pick up the phone, or better yet, go visit them.
Today is the second Sunday of Advent. While it's very easy to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of Christmas, it's important to remember what it's truly about: Christ.
Look through your room and try to find something to donate, especially a toy or something that you had a child that you no longer use. Some other child would be so happy to have that thing that you barely use.
To Our Lady, Mother of Advent, O Mother of our Advent, be with us and see to it that he will remain with us in this difficult Advent of the struggles for truth and hope, for justice and peace: He, alone, Emmanuel.
"Love the giver more than the gift" -Brigham Young
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen." Timothy 1:15-17
Tell a loved one how much you appreciate them today. Cherish those that you have.
There is often a beautiful nativity scene near The Christmas Village. If you are near there, go and take a visit. Remember how humbly our Lord came into the world and be thankful.
Today is the third Sunday of advent. We light a pink candle on the advent wreath this week because pink is the color of joy. We need to be excited about Christ and his coming. We've waited this long and we don't have long to go. Be happy and celebrate, our savior is almost here.
“He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” Luke 1:14-17
"Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind." -Valentine Davies (Miracle on 34th street)
Christmas is a time of almsgiving. If you have any extra money, consider donating it to a worthy cause. But remember, almsgiving has no meaning if you don't do it with love."If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Have you ever read the Bible's story of the Nativity? It's very beautiful and would only take about 5 minutes out of your day. You can read Luke's version (Luke 2:1-20) or Matthew's version (Matthew 1:1-25 and 2:1-11).
"Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality." -Washington Irving
It's almost Christmas, do something fun! Make a Gingerbread house or have a movie marathon (for movie suggestions see the article written by Amanda Gonzalez). Be joyful and get into the spirit of Christmas
Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Christmas is almost here. Think back over these past few weeks, did you accomplish what you wanted to accomplish? Are you ready to accept Jesus into your life again this year?
Christmas is finally here. If you are Catholic, don't forget to go to either a Vigil Mass tonight or Christmas Mass tomorrow. And for everyone who is disappointed that it's over, don't be! The Christmas season doesn't technically end until the Monday after the first Sunday after January sixth (This year, that would be the seventh of January). And truly, we should be holding our Christmas values in our hearts all year.