Catholic Traditions for Advent and Christmas
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Response
The Catholic Church has designated the four weeks preceding Christmas as
Advent, a time to prepare the way of the Lord for His coming as our
King and Savior. In addition, the Church teaches that:
[w]hen
the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present
this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation
for the Saviors first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for
his second coming. By celebrating [John the Baptists] birth and martyrdom,
the Church unites herself to his desire: He must increase, but I must decrease
(Catechism, no. 524; original emphasis).
By participating
in various time-honored traditions, such as making Jesse trees or putting on a
Christmas play at home, Catholic families can engage more fruitfully in the seasons
of Advent and Christmas.
Discussion:
Either we live the liturgical year with its varying seasons of joy and sorrow,
work and rest, or we follow the pattern of the world, writes Helen McLoughlin
in Advent
and Christmas in a Catholic Home, commenting on the challenge Catholics
have of being in the world but not of the world throughout the year.
She wrote these profound words in the 1950s, but they are even more important
today because of the general decline in Catholic family life during the last 40
years. With two parents working in many households, there is less time to devote
to the spiritual life of the family. As Catholic parents, we must readjust our
priorities and teach our children by living our faith, both inside and outside
the home.
It seems fitting that Advent is the beginning of the liturgical calendar,
for it is a season of spiritual preparation marked by an eager longing for the
birth of Our Savior Jesus Christ. There are age-old Advent practices, some of
which are mentioned in this FAITH FACT, which will help our children and families
live closer to Christ. The practices are time-tested and proven. They teach the
doctrine of redemption and develop a sense of generosity toward God (cf. Catechism,
nos. 2222-26). A familys strong and living faith will become their heritage
and a mode to reinforce the religious practices centered in the liturgy.
Children
love to anticipate, writes McLoughlin. When there are empty mangers
to fill with straw for small sacrifices, when the Mary candle is a daily reminder
on the dinner table, when Advent hymns are sung in the candlelight of a graceful
Advent wreath, children are not anxious to celebrate Christmas before time. That
would offend their sense of honor. Older children who make Nativity sets, cut
Old Testament symbols to decorate a Jesse tree, or prepare costumes for a Christmas
play will find Advent all too short a time to prepare for the coming of Christ
the King.
These are hopeful thoughts as we prepare to incorporate some
of these liturgical activities into our home life during Advent to enable us to
truly celebrate Christmas. It is a shame that many do not fast during Advent,
because without a fast there can really be no feast at Christmas. Fasting and
other forms of penance, such as prayer and almsgiving, help to purify our hearts
and prepare us for the celebration of Christmas (cf. Catechism, no. 1434). The
Church especially encourages participation at weekday Masses during Advent, because
in the Eucharist we find the source and goal of our Advent preparation: Christ
Himself, whose sacrifice reconciles us with God (cf. Catechism, no. 1436; Sacred
Congregation of Rites, Eucharisticum Mysterium, no. 29).
The Church
primarily celebrates Christmas from Christmas Day until the Solemnity of the Epiphany,
which commemorates the manifestation of Christ as the Savior of the whole world
(cf. Mt. 2:1-12). The Church has also traditionally celebrated Christmas for 40
days, culminating on the Feast of the Presentation (Feb. 2). During this time,
the birth of Christ is celebrated as one continuous festival. It is just as important
to celebrate during the Christmas season as it is to prepare for Christ during
Advent.
The following activities are provided so that you and your family can
live Advent and Christmas to the fullest.
Advent wreath: The Advent wreath,
which has German origins, is probably the most recognized Advent custom. It is
a wreath made of evergreens that is bound to a circle of wire. It symbolizes the
many years from Adam to Christ in which the world awaited its Redeemer; it also
represents the years that we have awaited His second and final coming. The wreath
holds four equally spaced candles, the three purple ones lit on the penitential
Sundays and a pink one for Gaudete, the joyful third Sunday in Advent. There are
many available prayers and hymns found in the reading list that can accompany
your personal Advent wreath ceremony.
The
empty manger: Each child may have
his own individual manger, or there may be one manger for the whole family. The
idea is that when acts of service, sacrifice, or kindness are done in honor of
Baby Jesus as a birthday present, the child receives a piece of straw to put into
the manger. Then, on Christmas morning, Baby Jesus is placed in the
manger. Encourage your children to make Jesus bed as comfortable
as possible through their good deeds. In the process, explain Christs incomparable
self-gift at Christmas and Easter that enables us to be part of Gods family.
The Jesse tree: The Jesse
tree tells about Christs ancestry through symbols and relates Scripture
to salvation history, progressing from creation to the birth of Christ. The tree
can be made on a poster board with the symbols glued on, or on an actual tree.
For further information read, Advent and Christmas in a Catholic Home.
St. Nicholas Day: The feast
of St. Nicholas is on Dec. 6th. It is a highlight of the Advent season. Each child
puts out a shoe the night before St. Nicholas Day in the hope that the kind bishop
with his miter, staff, and bag of gifts will pay a visit. The current
Santa Claus is modeled after St. Nicholas, but commercialism has tarnished
the true story. Many families give gifts on both Dec. 6 and Christmas. Read about
St. Nicholas in your favorite saints book.
The
Christ candle: Any large white candle can be used for the Christ candle.
The idea is to decorate it with symbols for Christ. Use old Christmas cards, sequins,
holly, etc. The candle can be lit on Christmas Eve to show that the Light of the
World has arrived. Then continue to light the Christ candle throughout the year
at Sunday dinner to remind your family of our waiting for Christ, as well as celebrating
His birth and Resurrection.
The Mary
candle: Some families have the custom of decorating the Christ candle
with a blue veil on December 8th, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.
On this great feast, others place a candle with a blue ribbon before a statue
or picture of the Blessed Virgin, whose yes to God enabled our Lords
coming at Christmas. The candle is lit during meal times to serve as a delightful
reminder of Marys eager expectation of the Light of the World.
It can also serve as a reminder to each family member to keep their own light
of grace burning as a preparation for Christs coming.
St. Lucy cakes: The feast of St. Lucy,
virgin and martyr, is on December 13th. This marks the opening of the Christmas
season in Sweden. Her life story can be found in most saints books, as can the
recipe for the traditional cakes. The symbolism is rich and her life story worthwhile
reading.
The Nativity scene: This
is the event in which the entire family shares setting up the Christmas
manger. Mary and Joseph should be far off traveling and their approach to Bethlehem
can be adjusted daily. Older children can make life-size Nativity models, carve
them, cut them out from cardboard, or set up pre-made figurines. The creative
ideas are without limit. Make sure to place the Nativity scene where many can
admire the childrens efforts to give God glory.
Christmas
baking: There are many recipe books available to find great traditional
Christmas baking ideas. (See recommended reading below.) The baking usually starts
around December 20th. As Christmas approaches, the house will smell of baking
and fresh wreaths. The glory of Christmas is at hand! Move the manger to a focal
point, add lights to the Nativity to be lighted on Christmas Eve, and anticipate
together.
Blessing of the tree: More
and more frequently families are blessing their Christmas trees. It is good to
remind children that the tree relates to many aspects of our faith.
For example, we are reminded that our first parents were not allowed to eat from
one tree, and that Christ paid the great price for our redemption by hanging on
a tree (cf. Acts 5:29-32).
There are many different stories which
attempt to explain why we use a tree at Christmas. For instance, St. Boniface
in the eighth century gave the balsam fir tree to the Druids in place of the oak
tree, the symbol of their idol. He said, The fir tree is the wood of peace,
the sign of an endless life with its evergreen branches. It points to heaven.
It will never shelter deeds of blood, but rather be filled with loving gifts and
rites of kindness.
There are more stories and blessings included in McLoughlins
Advent and Christmas in a Catholic Home. A family can also participate
in Advent through daily Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, or at least by following
the weekday Mass readings at home, as the Church anticipates her Saviors
coming, and then His early life following Christmas. A family that participates
together in Mass and other activities during the Advent and Christmas seasons
will grow closer in Christ The Reason for the Season
and give a great witness to friends and relatives.
The Jesse tree reminds us
of Jesus Davidic ancestry (cf. Mt. 1:1). For a greater understanding of
the relationship between the house of David, Jesus, and the Catholic Churchs
divine origin, see CUFs FAITH FACT: Rock Solid: The Salvation History
of the Catholic Church.
Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took
flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your
plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces His glory
and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for His coming.
We
ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Great O’s”
On the evening of December 17 the final phase of preparation for Christmas begins
with the first of the great “O Antiphons” of Advent.
These prayers are seven jewels of liturgical song, one for each day until Christmas Eve.
They seem to sum up all our Advent longing for the Savior.
December
17
O
Wisdom, that proceedest
from the mouth of the Most High, Reaching from end to end mightily, and sweetly
disposing all things: come and teach us the way of prudence.
December
18
O
Lord and Ruler of
the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest
him the law on Sinai: come and redeem us by Thy outstretched arm.
December
19
O
Root of Jesse, Who
standest as the Ensign of the people, before Whom kings shall not open their lips;
to Whom the Gentiles shall pray: come and deliver us, tarry now no more.
December
20
O
Key of David, and
Sceptre of the house of Israel; Who openest, and no man shutteth, Who shuttest,
and no man openeth: come and lead the captive from the prison house, and him that
sitteth in darkness and the shadow of death.
December
21
O
Dawn of the East, Splendor
of the eternal Light, and Sun of justice: Come and enlighten them that sit in
darkness, and the shadow of death.
December
22
O
King of the gentiles,
yea, and the desire thereof, the Cornerstone
that makest both one: come and save man, whom Thou hast made out of the slime
of the earth.
December
23
O
Emmanuel, our King
and Lawgiver, the expectation of all nations and their Salvation: come and save
us, O Lord our God.
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