Resources for Advent
You will find a variety of activities during our time of preparation and waiting before we celebrate the birth of Christ. There are activities, videos, and learning materials for children of all ages, and adults.
Advent is a short but sweet season to prepare for Jesus coming to Earth. We can think about how
- Jesus was born so we can be who God created us to be: free from sin and living a life of goodness, like Him
- Jesus’ birth and death help us be happy and holy on Earth, and forever with God in Heaven
- Jesus is light in darkness, he can overcome anything bad in our lives
- We can bring Jesus’ light to others, making their world better!
Online Retreats in the Ignatian Tradition
For the first time, Pray As You Go have created an Advent series for children.
Introduction - Remember the Advent Feast Days:
Dec 3 St. Francis Xavier
Dec 4 St. John Damascene
Dec 6 St. Nicolas
7 St. Ambrose
8 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
9 St. Juan Diego
12 Our Lady of Guadalupe
13 St. Lucy
Dec 14 St. John of the Cross
21 St. Peter Canisius
23 St. John of Kanty
25 The Nativity of the Lord
26 St. Stephen
27 St. John the Apostle
28 The Holy Innocents
29 St. Thomas Becket
31 St. Slyvester I
Click on image above to download
Activities
Advent Wreath
Click on image to the right to download the printable. Directions on how to assemble the wreath is provided here.
Prayer
Whatever wreath you create or use at home, you can bless it on the first night you light a candle! Here’s a simple prayer:
Parent: Lord, you are the light of our world.
Children: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Parent: O gracious God of promise, we prepare to worship together as we await the fulfillment of your wondrous plan. Help us to grow as we hear your Word and live in your love.
Children: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Parent: May the light of your love always shine in our hearts.
All: Amen.
Some fun facts on the symbols packed into an Advent wreath!
SHAPE: The circular shape of the wreath, without beginning or end, symbolizes God’s complete and unending love for us. It also represents eternal life which becomes ours through faith in Jesus Christ.
NUMBER: The Advent Wreath traditionally holds four candles which are lit, one at a time, on each of the four Sundays of the Advent season. Each candle represents 1,000 years. Added together, the four candles symbolize the 4,000 years of the Old Testament.
COLOUR: Violet is a liturgical color that is used to signify a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice. It’s also the colour of royalty.
NATURAL MATERIAL: Evergreens remind us of our eternal life with Christ; pointy holly leaves and berries represent the crown of thorns from the Passion of Jesus and his Precious Blood; and pine cones symbolize Christ’s Resurrection.
Advent Wreath Family Traditions
Once you have completed your Advent wreath, reflect upon some scriptures during each week of Advent.
Nativity Story Coloring Cube
Color this nativity scene and discuss the meaning of each scene with your family.
Advent Decoder
Use your bible knowledge to fill in the blanks and find the secret code!
Printables
Print out these sheets for coloring. Some of these printables feature items you can cut out to create homemade cards, and decorations.
What Advent looks like
Activity: Jesus is Our Way Colouring Sheet by Ministry to Children
Craft: Printable Nativity by Catholic Icing:
Materials for viewing
Who is St. Nick?
Video about Brother Francis
Dec. 14 - St. John of the Cross - Dec 9 bulletin - read a comic about his life
Dec. 15 - Advent Musical Fun An Advent song with actions:
Dec. 19 - Elizabeth and Zechariah Story of St. Elizabeth, Zecheriah and Mary
O Come All Ye Faithful - by Pentatonix
"What is a Savior"
"Who is Saint Nicholas?"
The "O" Antiphons
The “O” Antiphons date back to around the eighth century, and were sung along with the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. These prayers express the longing for the Messiah. (Source: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/o-antiphons-advent)
Verse from hymn "O Come O Come Emmanuel"
December 17
O Wisdom of our God Most High,
guiding creation with power and love:
come to teach us the path of knowledge.
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
December 18
O Leader of the House of Israel,
giver of the Law to Moses on Sinai:
come to rescue us with your mighty power! (
O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
December 19
O Root of Jesse’s stem,
sign of God’s love for all his people:
come to save us without delay!
O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem,
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
December 21
O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:
come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the
shadow of death.
O come, O Key of David, come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death’s abode.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
December 22
O King of all nations and keystone of the Church:
come and save man, whom you formed from the dust!
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.
December 23
O Emmanuel, our King and Giver of Law:
come to save us, Lord our God!
O come, O come, Immanuel,
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to thee, O Israel.