During the liturgical season of Advent, we take time to prepare our hearts for Jesus’ birth at Christmas. Check out these additional resources you and your family could use to go deeper in your faith.
Books
Ascension Press invites you to journey with them through Advent with their book Rejoice! An Advent Pilgrimage into the Heart of Scripture. Together with the weekly videos, this journal will help you to grow in your understanding and appreciation for the incredible gift of Christ’s Incarnation. As you slow down and meditate on the readings each week, you’ll find your experience of Advent transformed, you will bear fruit in your life as Jesus comes to live more fully in your heart, and you will experience greater joy and peace throughout the Advent season and beyond. Learn more here.
Bishop Robert Barron with Word on Fire has a book titled, “The Word Became Flesh”. In this book, readers are offered a week-by-week guide through Advent and Christmas with a series of reflections on the Messiah, the Annunciation, the Incarnation, the Journey to Bethlehem, the Nativity, and the Holy Family. This book is not just for the upcoming season, but can be used every year. Learn more here.
Reflections
Formed has a new Advent series coming out this year. Join Dr. Scott Hefelfinger for a daily reflection in Rooted: Rediscover the Jesse Tree This Advent. Each episode introduces the ancestors of Jesus, shares a Scripture passage, and offers a practical application for everyday life. St. Patrick parishioners have free access to Formed. Visit Formed.org and sign-in with your email to gain access. If new, click “sign-up,” “sign-up as a parishioner,” and type in “St Patrick Yorkville” or our code 9de382. Enter in your name and email, and you are set!
Hallow does an Advent Pray 25 Challenge in their app every year. This year, journey through the powerful writings of C.S. Lewis, author of the Chronicles of Narnia and one of the greatest Christian apologists of all time, with daily readings, reflections, and meditations leading up to Christmas. You will hear the voice of Liam Neeson, who voiced Aslan the Lion in the Narnia series, with reflections and prayer led by Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen, and Sr. Miriam James! Learn more here.
Matthew Kelly with Dynamic Catholic offers FREE daily video reflections sent straight to your inbox. Most people spend the time leading up to Christmas feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and stuck. Caught in the complexity and busyness of the holiday season, we end up striving for all the things that aren’t worth having. It’s no wonder the beauty, meaning, joy and life-changing power of Christmas has become lost! This year, do something different. Reclaim the peace that can only come from simplicity this Christmas. Sign-up here.
Ignatius Spirituality has published a weekly video series on Arts & Faith: Advent. Enjoy video commentary about works of art inspired by the Sunday Scriptures of Advent. Use these videos to take a new look at this season of preparation through the lens of sacred art. Accompanying dotMagis blog posts offer reflections on using the art as a means of Ignatian prayer. Ignatius also offers weekly video reflections, daily email reflections exploring the life of St. Joseph, and a few podcasts. Learn more about these resources here.
My Daily Visitor offers daily video reflections with Our Sunday Visitor editor, Father Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP. Especially in the middle of life’s busyness during Advent, we should set aside time for daily prayer to grow closer to Christ. Sign-up here.
For the Family
Blessed is She came out with an Advent devotional for both parents and kids. Found for women, Fierce for men, and Found for kids all focus on exploring your walk with the Good Shepherd through daily reflections, Scripture, Visio and Lectio Divina, as well as knowing you’re praying alongside a supportive community. Learn more here.
Formed has a new series for the whole family called Drawing Closer to God. In six episodes, art teacher Ms. Kim teaches kids how to draw scenes from the Nativity story. As children follow along, they learn to see the connections between the big picture of God’s story and their place within it. Watch here. St. Patrick parishioners have free access to Formed. Visit Formed.org and sign-in with your email to gain access. If new, click “sign-up,” “sign-up as a parishioner,” and type in “St Patrick Yorkville” or our code 9de382. Enter in your name and email, and you are set!
Holy Heroes offers “Advent Adventure“, a FREE daily email reflection, video, and printable activities for the whole family. The program makes learning about the faith fun for kids of all ages. Sign-up here.
Into the Deep offers a FREE download of 60 pages of copy work, 20 different Scripture verses (for every weekday day of Advent), and 3 pages of writing lines per verse—each for different ages and abilities. This resource will lead your family through Advent and Christmas-themed Old Testament prophecies and New Testament verses about the Incarnation. It can be used during the Christmas season as well. Download your copy here.
Mary on the Mantle by Be A Heart is a twist on the classic “Elf on the Shelf”. Each day Mary is moved around your house as she prepares for her new baby. Mary is busy “nesting” and doing simple, ordinary tasks. When the children find her in the morning, Mary delivers a small act of kindness that they can perform that day. The note can be tucked into the tiny tote bag that comes with their Mary doll. Learn more here.
