oooh I love my job
first, ignore everything you read in secular media, see on TV (except EWTN) and if necessary, stay away from the Mall until Jan. 6 to avoid indoctrination and brainwashing.
I am guessing this will be Lily’s first Christmas where she is really aware of what is going on, that will be priceless, but it also gives you the chance to establish your own traditions, decide how much emphasis you are going to place on gifts, decorations, food, Santa and other peripherals, and how you are going about placing Christ at the center of the season.
search on liturgical year for a crash course, and I will post a link when I get a chance (going to sites meant for Catholic kids is actually easier for me to find beginner’s explanations, so I recommend it).
We are speaking of 2 liturgical seasons, Advent and Christmas, so don’t confuse them. Christmas does not begin until the evening of Dec. 24 and lasts until Epiphany. Ordinary time resumes with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Advent begins this year on Nov. 30. There are 4 Sundays of Advent so you count backward from Christmas, Dec. 25, to find out when it begins (or get a liturgical calendar or look it up in your missal or lectionary guide).
The season of Advent has a penitential character, hence the purple vestments, but it is a sense of patient waiting, deprived of the presence of the Lord, rather than the sacrificial waiting and penance of Lent. It is an excellent time to teach kids the virtue of patience, by not anticipating the holiday, and making activities during December those of preparation, readiness, anticipation, rather than of celebration. We are waiting not only the first coming of the Savior celebrating his birth, note that in the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 we include the Annunciation of the Lord. We are also anticipating his second coming in glory, so the lectionary readings point to both. They revolve around the announcements of the prophets, including and especially John the Baptist, and spiritual preparation.
The liturgical color is purple, with pink an option for the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Gaudete (“Rejoice”) sunday (for the first word in Latin of the opening prayer of the Mass on that day).
for Catholic customs and traditions you can bring into your home search on a Catholic site, esp. one for kids and families, on
Advent Wreath-celebrates liturgical year and readings in ways accessible to children
Jesse Tree–recalls OT characters and events that prefigure the coming of Christ
O Antiphons - these are the antiphons in the Liturgy of the Hours for evening prayer during the last week of Advent, Dec. 17-24. You already know them because they are in the verses of the most popular Advent Hymn, O Come Emanuel. They use titles for Christ drawn from OT events and prophets to emphasize doctrinal aspects of His human and divine natures.
Advent Calendar–there are some on line, and some, including permanent ones, from Catholic publishers and gift sites. By counting the days, they also help children reflect on the season of waiting. A secular one is fun, and fine, but a religious one is better.
for kids, participating in household and family preparations, and yes planning and making gifts and cards for others can be part of this involves them and provides teaching moments. You might want to choose some of your cards, decorations, even foods with an eye to their traditional use which was teaching and representing doctrine in ways accessible to children.
