Browse All Advent & Christmas Blogs
Discover our selection of blogs on Advent and Christmas, including blessings, inspiration for your Advent journey, and activities for children.
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How to Prepare for Christmas
Prepare for the coming of the Saviour
At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and to prepare for it the Church gives us the season of Advent. Advent, which begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, means “arrival” and is a time for preparing ourselves for God’s arrival in the world. Each Sunday in Advent, Catholics light one more candle on the Advent wreath. They are a symbol for the ever-brightening light God sends into our darkness.
Christmas is the great celebration of Jesus’ birth, when God gave us His son. God becomes very small and comes into the world as a human being. The Christmas tree, the candles, festive decorations and the crib are not just a decoration for a great marathon of present-giving. They are to remind us of this great event: the birth of Jesus is the reason for this big feast.
Precisely because this feast is so important, the Church celebrates it quite extensively: with Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and church services on Christmas Day. The Christmas season ends with the Baptism of the Lord, which is celebrated on the first Sunday after Epiphany (which is usually 6th January).
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Enter into Advent
Mary's Gift of Self Prepares the Way
In this Advent reflection of the first line of the Hail Mary, discover how Mary helps us to consider our place in salvation history, and how meditating upon Mary's role in the birth of Our Lord also encourages us to meditate upon the fulfilment of the Kingdom.
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Behold He is Coming
As we prepare to celebrate the coming of the Word made flesh, it's helpful to consider Christmas from three perspectives: the past when Our Saviour was born, the present where Jesus comes to us in the Eucharist, and the future when we will one day be judged.
Find out moreUnpacking Advent Traditions
Blessing of an Advent Wreath
As Advent begins and you put your Advent wreath in pride of place in your home, gather your household together to pray this blessing.
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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Christmas Traditions
Do you know the origins of popular Christmas traditions like mistletoe or candy canes? How about the 12 Days of Christmas song? Here are 10 fun facts about Christmas you can use to show off to your friends and family!
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Advent: Catholic Customs & Traditions
Discover how to use Advent as a time for preparation for Christmas by unpacking Catholic customs, their origins and their significance. What does the Advent wreath symbolise? Who invented the Christmas crib? What are the Catholic origins of the Christmas tree? Learn these fascinating facts and more in this blog.
Find out moreFor Children
Understanding the Christmas Story for Children
Help your children understand the story of Christmas with this child-friendly explanation for parents and kids to read together.
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How to Make an Advent Wreath (For Kids)
Help your child prepare for Christmas with these child-friendly instructions for making an Advent wreath.
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How to Make Your Own Christmas Decorations
What makes a Christmas tree a Christmas tree? Traditionally, Christmas trees are decorated with glass baubles of all different colours, and candles or chains of lights. Why not make your own decorations this year? Discover this fun activity for children!
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