“You know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
Romans 13:11-12
As Advent approaches on December 1, I realized it’s time to put together the annual “here’s what we have ” Homely Hours Advent post. This will be our fifth Advent collecting resources for this site. I know we are probably due for some reorganization, but for now, I’m gathering it all together for this post.
First, a reminder: there are so many Advent resources available nowadays (it seems much more now than when we started this site 5 years ago!). Our priest, Fr. Wayne, always tells us not to be overwhelmed by anything to do with liturgical living. He says, “we strive guiltlessly.” I wrote this post back in 2016 to poke a little fun at myself and remind myself of what is really important:
If I learned how to handcraft artisan shoes for my child for St. Nicholas’s feast day, but have not love, I’m only a stressed out mom going overboard. And if I read and share all the best Advent quotes, and meal plan every day according to the liturgical calendar, and if I even remember to order wheat from Amazon to plant on St. Lucy’s day, but have not love, I am nothing. If I KonMari away everything I have, and if I deliver up my body to childbearing and breastfeeding, but have not love, I gain nothing.
And with that, here is what’s available on our site (it’s all free). Pick and choose what will work well for your family.
Last year, I put together a resource with a hymn or carol for each day of Advent.
I think one of the most simple, yet powerful ways to keep Advent is to save up the traditional Christmas music for the twelve days. But, to do that, you really need Advent music to fill the gap– music that immerses you in the waiting, longing, and mystery of the season. These hymns have become some of my favorites of all the year.
Our very first year, Bley painted these beautiful ornaments to use with Rachel Chaney’s Jesus Tree Daily Devotional. You could also just read these Scriptures that go along with each ornament.
Every year, I plan to do more, but always come back to the booklet our church gives out the first Sunday of Advent. We light our Advent candles at suppertime (And, just in case you happened to use this last year and noticed an unfortunate typo for Christmas Day, “lie” has now been changed to “life.” 🙂 )
“Great O Antiphon” Ornaments
If you’re following the Advent wreath booklet, you’ll see that it also includes prayers for the Great O Antiphons beginning on December 17th. You may also want to print out these beautiful O Antiphon ornaments Bley painted to hang on your tree or a garland..
For Saint Nicholas’s Day (December 6)
Here is a printable for Saint Nicholas Day treat bags (to fill with the traditional treats) from Esther Bley Designs.
And, here is a Saint Nicholas coloring page from Michelle Abernathy art.
For Saint Lucy’s Day (December 13)
Here is a printable for Saint Lucy’s Crown from Esther Bley designs.
Here is a Saint Lucy coloring page from Michelle Abernathy.
And, here is how our celebration looked last year in my family.
Last year, Bley also put together a post with Nativity Artwork for Kids (and Their Grownups) that would make a great Advent activity and Christmas gift.
You could also print out these Life of Mary coloring pages from Michelle Abernathy Art.
Here are the collects for Advent.
And, here are the weekly guides I put together last year with the collects and saints for each week of Advent: Advent 1, Advent 2, Advent 3, and Advent 4.
In terms of Advent books: With my kids, we’ll be reading Laura Alary’s Look!: A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas (which follows the same layout as the wonderful Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent and Easter). And I’m planning to read Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ by Fleming Rutledge.
I think that’s all! What are you planning for Advent this year?
The Homely Hours 