I’m participating in the KEEP CHRIST in CHRISTMAS Blog Link-Up 2013 sponsored by the Catholic Bloggers Network.
Be sure to visit as many links as possible, listed at the bottom of this post.
Be sure to visit as many links as possible, listed at the bottom of this post.
Keeping Christ in Christmas truly is a challenge in today's world, isn't it? Try as we might, we still get caught up in all the hustle and bustle of the season. There's always so much to do that it is hard to remember to slow down and pay attention to God in a special way. To make it even more difficult, this year we only have a bit over 3 weeks. Ugh! We've just come off of a very busy week with dress rehearsals and two performances today (Sunday) and now my whirling mind has to switch gears, and switch very quickly at that.
So what will we be doing this Advent season to remind us of what it is all about? Here are some of our favorite traditions.
* Of course we have our advent wreath setting upon the kitchen table which we light every night at dinner.
* This is our second year of reciting the St. Andrew prayer. This short prayer is said 15 times every day between the feast of St. Andrew (November 30th) and Christmas Day. We loved it last year so it's back to stay!
* We usually make some kind of Advent calendar. It varies from year to year and it hasn't been made yet, so tis all still a mystery as to what shape it will take.
* We made the change years ago and every one seems to agree that the Christmas decorations don't go up until the Sunday before Christmas. We have various purple things around the house to signify Advent but that is all.
* At Mass today the priest suggested that we all take a few moments each day during Advent to just be still and be silent so that we might hear what it is God is trying to tell us. This is always a good suggestion, but more so during this busy time.
* On my blog I've decided to do a Daybook of sorts for the Advent season. Each day I will be filling in things that I've done in Body, Mind and Spirit. We'll see how that goes.
So there you have it; a comprehensive list of things that we do in our household to try to keep Christ at the forefront of our season. I invite you to visit the blogs listed below for more great ideas. Then please stop back here during the next few weeks to see how things are going.
God Bless!
Equipping Catholic Families: Keep Christ in Christmas
Simply Homeschool Living Advent Series 12/1 - 12/25
Fifth of Five Keeping Christ in Christmas - Blog Link-up 2013
Coffee Moments with Sam The Light of Hope
Hand-Maid With Love: CHRISTmas Presence: Keep Christ in Christmas 2013 Edition
Open Window Making hay while the Advent wreath shines
Faith Filled Freebies: Keep Christ in Christmas
Written by the Finger of God: Not Christmas as Usual
On the Way Home: Keep Christ in Christmas
Sue Elvis Writes: Bring Christ to Others
Mommy Bares All Why Celebrate Christmas Even After #YolandaPH
Canadian Catholic Mom Keeping The Little Ones Focused: An Advent Link-Up
Mountain of Grace Homeschooling Keep Christ in Christmas
Em’s Estuary: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Happy Little Homemaker: December Devotion: Immaculate Conception
Adoro Ergo Sum: How We Keep Christ in Christmas
JoyAlive.net: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Home to 4 Kiddos Keep Christ in Christmas
Embedded Faith Boldly Be the Christ in Christmas
City Girl, Country Home Emmanuel Is With Us. Are we WITH HIM?
Journey to Wisdom: Trusting in your Awkward Fiats
Joy of Nine9 Waiting in Joyful Expectation Like a Child
Splendor in the Home Ideas For Keeping Advent and Christmas Holy
Training Happy Hearts 10 Ways to Celebrate the New Liturgical Year
Designs by Birgit: Elf on a Shelf and Santa Claus
Catholic Inspired: Faith-Centered Family Christmas
A Slice of Smith Life: How we keep Christ in Christmas
Catholic All Year: Three Reasons I love Advent
Mary the Defender: Christmas The Battle Begins
Truly Rich Mom: Keep Christ in Christmas
Day By Day in Our World: 40 Days Seeking Him and Keeping Christ in Christmas
Diapers and Drivel: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Raising Soldiers 4 Christ: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Rosary Mom Keep Christ In Christmas With A Teenager
Campfires and Cleats How We Keep Christ in Christmas
Life Unabridged: Celebrating the Fullness of the Advent and Christmas Season
Mrs Domestic Bliss Gingerbread Nativity
The Chic Traveller Keeping Christ in Christmas
California to Korea Keeping Christ in Christmas
Dominique's Desk Keeping Christ in Christmas
Our ABC Life: An Advent Update
Journey Living: Anno Domini
The Road to Rome: Advent Prayer and Reflection Resources
Life of Fortunate Chances: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Quidquid Est, Est!: Reblog: Advent Posts
My children are dreaming of mountains of presents and I don't know a mother who isn't stressed out of her mind right now. In this pre-Christmas whirlwind, we are tempted to forget the meaning of Advent as a time of patient waiting and reflection. More shockingly, we might miss out on the true joy of Christmas!
ReplyDeleteLet's keep Christ in Christmas and spread the "good news." Here's a great video to share:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMiOrieIFg8