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 Fr. Mike Schmitz and discover how waiting can become a place of grace and encounter with Christ in his new book Waiting Well. Life is full of waiting. Moments can feel wasted unless we embrace them with trust and intention. 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 an Advent series with Dr. Scott Hefelfinger of daily reflections, titled 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!
St. Paul Center of Biblical Theology has a new Bible Across America bible study series with Fr. Boniface Hicks, Heather Khym, Shane Owens, Katie McGrady, and Alex Jones. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is repeatedly called “Teacher” and “Lord”. As we approach this Advent, discover how these titles challenge us to be servants to each other (Jn 13:15) and disciples of the Good Shepherd. Learn more here.
Hallow does an Advent Pray 25 Challenge in their app every year. This year, the theme is “Be Still”. This Advent, discover deeper stillness amidst the chaos of the holiday season, just as Mary did that first Christmas. Dive into the story of the Nativity through reflections on the infancy narratives, powerful excerpts from The Reed of God by Caryll Houselander and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, and moments of silence and contemplative prayer. Learn more here.
Matthew Kelly with Dynamic Catholic offers FREE daily video reflections sent straight to your inbox. It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year…so why do the days leading up to Christmas always feel stressful and chaotic? This Advent, choose to SLOW DOWN and rediscover true peace. Join Matthew Kelly and Catholics across America on a journey through Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy and learn how to slow down, reconnect with God, and take your Advent back from the tyrant we call busy. 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.
For the Family
Blessed is She came out with an Advent devotional for both parents and kids. In Time for women, Feast for men, and Watch and Wait for kids all focus on waiting and preparing through daily reflections, Scripture, sacred art, as well as knowing you’re praying alongside a supportive community. Learn more here.
Formed has a 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.
