Activities for Advent

"You'll just have to wait." How often do we hear these words? We wait in the check-out line. We wait for important documents to arrive. We wait for news from a loved one. We wait for a hard time to be over. We wait for vacation to begin. We wait for the birth of a new child. How do you experience times of waiting? As we begin a new liturgical year with Advent, we wait for the coming of Jesus.

Each of us experiences the waiting of Advent differently. For some, it is a time of joyful expectation. It may be a quiet time of reverent reflection on the beautiful mystery of God becoming human. Or it may be a time of feverish preparations: we must be ready for Christmas! Those with children may experience the delight of passing on beloved traditions, while young adults and newlyweds may find themselves creating new ones. Those who are busy with work and the demands of life may find Advent stressful. And for those who have lost a loved one or who are going through a time of sickness or other hardship, this waiting can feel empty and lonely. How do you describe Advent time?

Advent Preparation Activity

On a sheet of paper list the various kinds of waiting that you go through during the Advent season. Which do you experience the most: nostalgic regret, feverish preparation, pensive expectancy, growing indifference, or lingering loneliness? Which do you experience the least? What combination of these various types of waiting have you experienced during this season? How would you describe them? Are some days better than others? Continue by drawing up a list of your deepest longings. Ask yourself if they have changed in any way over the years. See if they have changed in any way as this particular Advent season has progressed.

When you feel you have written enough, take some time to reflect upon what you have written. Then take another sheet of paper and write down the kinds of waiting and longing that you would most like to experience during this Advent season. End by asking God to help you prepare for his coming in a serious and worthy way. If you wish, gather some drawing materials and sketch a picture of what the following phrase might look like: "Paradise for God is to dwell in the human heart."

Advent Calendars

As companions in our Advent waiting, we offer you short reflections on the lectionary readings for each day. The USCCB and CRS Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty page also provides an Advent calendar among their Advent Resources.

Other resources for the Advent and Christmas season are available at For Heaven's Sake gift shop.