Some practical ways to prepare ourselves to welcome Jesus, Saviour of the World
With gathering restrictions throughout the world, we are asked to look for new and creative ways of meaningfully living out our faith. As Christians, Advent is a special season that invites us to prepare ourselves for the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. While the opportunities to celebrate Advent and Christmas publicly are always cherished, there are many ways we can safely celebrate this special time at home and witness to others the hope, peace, joy, and love we receive from Jesus Christ. What better gift to offer our Lord at Christmas than to help one of his dearest ones experience the true light of Christ.
Below are just a few ideas on how to have a more meaningful Advent:
- Praying through Scripture – Meditating on the daily Bible readings for Advent can help us see how we, too, are called to prepare our hearts for the birth of Jesus. By spending at least 15 minutes each day in Scripture and prayer, we can better reflect upon the momentous occasion of Jesus’ birth, awaited for so long by God’s chosen people and by all those who seek his face still today.
- O Antiphons – The O Antiphons have been around since the Early Church and are sung or recited at vespers as we enter into the Octave before Christmas. Each of these O Antiphons opens with the title of Jesus Christ based on the Old Testament. To pray and reflect on Jesus Christ as Wisdom, Lord, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Morning Star, King of the Nations, and God With Us will help us spiritually prepare for his birth.
- Prayer and Eucharistic Adoration – “Come, let us adore Him!” Make a mini pilgrimage each week to one of the churches that offers Eucharistic adoration or even one that is just open for prayer and spend an hour or two in silence with the Lord. He wants to be with you, now more than ever!
- Confession – Even when churches are not able to offer regular public Mass, priests are still available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Advent is an extremely important time to recognise our sinfulness and come before the Lord seeking his mercy.
l - Fasting – Traditionally Advent, just like Lent, involved a form of fasting or penance to encourage greater spiritual discipline and prayer in preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Prayerfully discern a form of fasting or penitential abstinence to draw you closer to God. Alternatively, consider offering up to God the sacrifices you’re already having to undergoing to direct your heart closer to God.
- Advent Wreath – Advent wreaths are a traditional way to mark each of the four weeks of Advent that symbolise hope, peace, joy, and love. Each week as a new candle is lit, you can sing an Advent hymn, read aloud the daily Gospel, and offer a prayer for our loved ones and a world in need of Christ’s truth and love. In this way, you will shine the light of Christ and invite others to believe who we truly celebrate at Christmas.
- Celebrating Mary – Two great Marian feasts are celebrated during Advent – the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe. Both are great opportunities to reflect upon and emulate this humble handmaid of the Lord who, through her perfect obedience, would become the Mother of God and Queen of Heaven.
l - Celebrating Saints – Many great saints have feast days during Advent: Francis Xavier, the great missionary; John of Damascene, doctor of Christian art; Nicholas, the real Santa Claus; Lucy, the virtuous martyr; John of the Cross, mystic doctor; and more. Through reflecting on these saints’ lives, we can be similarly inspired to lives of virtue by how they followed Christ in their lives.
Tricia Bolle
President and Lead Missionary
St. Francis Xavier Lay Missionary Society
For more ideas and resources for Advent,
please contact Tricia at: tricia@laymissionary.org
