Advent Resources
There are 24 days in Advent this year – December 1-24. It is a time of preparation for Christmas. Like Lent, it is a time for spiritual preparation, including prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Use some of these ideas, and you will have a good Advent and Christmas! Or be a saint and do them all.
Healthy Living
- Get at least seven hours of sleep a night
- Exercise at least three times a week
Fasting (Self-Denial)
We cannot fully say "yes" to God until we learn to say "no" to selfishness and to our appetites. We will offer these sacrifices:
- Fast one day a week (eat only one meal on those days)
- No snacks between meals
- No alcohol or soda
- No desserts or sweets
- No social media (except for work, school, or essential tasks)
- No television
- Try to abstain from Christmas carols until Christmas week (this one is difficult!)
Prayer
Learn how to pray better, to harness the power of God's grace. You will grow in your friendship with Jesus:
- Daily say the St. Andrew Advent Prayer (see below)
- Come to the Christmas concert at St. Louis or St. Francis of Assisi (Dec 15 or Dec 22nd)
- Daily, a brief night prayer examining your day
- Daily Mass once a week
- Confession during Advent
Almsgiving
- Participate in some charitable activity such as the Advent Giving Tree, a generous donation to the Poor Box or volunteer in some parish event during Advent.
What is Advent? - Information from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for Advent
2024 Daily Reflection Advent Calendar - English
2024 Daily Reflection Advent Calendar - Spanish (Calendario de Adviento)
FORMED® Advent Calendar 2024 - A calendar of suggested content for each day of Advent and the Octave of Christmas
FORMED® Advent and Christmas - A collection of content centered on the seasons of Advent and Christmas
Discover More about Advent - Resources and content from EWTN to help your faith journey through Advent
