Advent
The Office of Multicultural Ministries
Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Contents
Introduction: A note from the author
What is Advent?
The Jesse Tree
Prepare the Way: Suggested Reading
Lectio Divina Video Series
Week 1: December 1-7
Reflection 1
Week 2: December 8-14
Reflection 2
Week 3: December 15-21
Reflection 3
Week 4: December 22-24
Reflection 4
Advent Markets
St. Andrew Prayer
Downloadable Content Recipes
Feast Day Calendar Cut Out
Advent Calendar Cut Out
Introduction
A note from the author
LastAdvent,mymotherin-lawcongregatedthewholefamilyat herhousetostartanewtradition.Shehadsetupabeautifulmanger sceneinherlivingroombuthaddeliberatelyleftMaryandJoseph aboutfivefeetaway.Shehandedeachoneofusaplasticbarn animalandtoldustowriteournamesonthem.Onebyoneshe invitedustoplacethemnexttoMaryandJosephandjointhemon theirjourney.Sheremindedusthateachdayisanopportunitytodo goodandbringChristtoothers.Ifwetookadvantageofthat opportunity,wecouldmoveourlittlebarnanimalastepcloserto themanger.Hopefully,bythetimeChristmascamearound,our barnanimalswouldbeascloseaspossibletotheHolyFamily.
AsAdventwenton,werealizedhowthissimpleactivityhelpedand inspiredustolivetheseasonmoreintentionally.Thisguidebook hopestoofferanarrayofsimplewayswecanenrichourdailylives toexperiencetheAdventseasonmorevividly.Itofferstraditions andrecipesfromaroundtheworld,alongwithspiritualreflections bylocalparishionersandpriestsandeventshappeninginlocal parishes.Usethisbookasyourcompaniononthisjourneyof preparingyourheartsforthecomingoftheLord.
Itisnevertoolatetostartanewtradition.Learnanewrecipe!Make aJessetree!Attendanewevent!Werecommendreadingthrough thewholeguidebookfirstandjottingdownyourAdventplanon thecut-outcalendar.
Iamgratefultomymother-in-lawforhavingthecouragetotry somethingnewandshareitwithherchildren.Nowwehaveanew traditionwecansharewithourfamiliesdowntheroad!
Maythisseasonbringblessingsandjoy,andmaywetakeastep closertotheLordeveryday.
By Fatima Solis, Program Specialist, Office of Multicultural Ministries
What is Advent?
Advent,from"ad-venire"inLatinmeaning"tocometo"or“to cometoward”,isthebeginningoftheNewLiturgicalYearinthe RomanCatholicChurch.DuringAdvent,wereflectonthereturn oftheLordattheendoftimeandweawaitthearrivaloftheChrist Child,preparingforHisbirthonChristmasDay.Therearemany waysonemayprepareduringthisseason,embracinglongheld traditionswithintheChurch,andincorporatingmanycultural traditionsfromaroundtheworld.YoucanliveouttheSeasonof Adventinmanyways,fromtheprayersyousaytothefoodyoueat.
In2024,theSeasonofAdventbeginsSunday,December1,andlasts untilTuesday,December24,ChristmasEve.Thisguidebookis intendedtobeusedduringthistime.Asyoureadthroughthe guidebook,youwillfindanumberofresourcestoaccompanyyou throughtheseason,including:
ToolstocreateyourownJesseTree
PrayersliketheAdventWreathtraditionandSt.AndrewPrayer Significantfeastdays
RecipessubmittedbymembersoftheDiocese.
Localeventsandinitiativestoparticipatein
Downloadableactivitiesandcrafts
ThisguidebookismadepossiblebytheOfficeofMulticultural Ministries,CatholicDioceseofArlington.Tolearnmoreabout office,visitarlingtondiocese.org/multicultural-ministries.
The Jesse Tree
AnAdventdevotional,theJesseTreetraditionisinspiredbyIsaiah 11:1:
“But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.”
EachelementoftheJesseTreeaidsintellingthestoryofthe ancestorsofJesusChrist,beginningwithAdamandEveandending withtheChristChild.StartingDecember1st,averseisreadand andthecorrespondingornamentisplacedonthetreeeachday. We’veplacedlittleremindersofthedailyreadingsthroughoutthis guidebook,andourSundayreflectionsareinspiredbytheJesseTree scriptures.TheyarewrittenbythosewholivewithintheDioceseof Arlington,representingvariousvocationsandculturalbackgrounds.
Youareinvitedtoscanthecodebelowtoaccessfreedownloadable JesseTreeornamentsandthecorrespondingreadings.
Prepare the Way... and Prepare Your Bookshelf
December is Spiritual Literacy Month! Wehavecompiledalistoffamily-friendlyreadingthatcanbeatool toleadyourfamilyintoadeeperAdventprayerthisseason.
One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham
ZebMorris,injuredduringasnowstorm,fallsunderthecareofa womanwholivesinacabinhisgrandfatherbuilt.Tendingtohis injuryandwaitingoutthestorm,thewomantellsZebthestoryof Christmas… from the beginning.Thisstunninglyillustratedbookwill holdaudiencesofallagescaptiveasthestoryofRedemptionistold –beginningwithCreationandendingwiththeResurrection.Read aloudafewpageseachnightleadinguptoChristmasEve.
The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado
Joshuaisalittlelamb,bornwithacrippledleg.Heisunabletorun andplaywiththeotherlambs,whichleaveshimfeelingsad,alone, andrejected.Onecoldnight,theflockleavesJoshuabehindinthe stable,whenatiredJosephandvisiblypregnantMaryarriveintheir desperatesearchforaplacetostaythenight.Thelittlelamblearns thatdespitehisdifferenceshecanbeofprofoundservicetothe HolyFamily. Tip: keep tissues nearby.
The Nativity: Six Glorious Pop-Up Scenes by Francesca Crespi
TheNativitystorycomestolifewithexquisitepop-uppanoramas. Beautifullycrafted,itfunctionsasChristmasdécorasmuchasit doesabedtimestory.
The Gift of the Magi by O’Henry
Ahusbandandwifewithlittlemoneymakepersonalsacrificesto gifttheirspousetheperfectChristmaspresent.Thisiconicnarrative isatreasureforthosetryingtoescapetheconsumerismofsecular Christmas.It’stimelessmessageisthis:materialpossessionsarenever asimportantasloveforoneanother.
The Clown of God by Tomie dePaola
Giovannistartsoutasapoor,homelessboyinSorrento,Italy,whose onlypossessionisthegiftofjuggling.Hisjugglingmakeshim famousacrossItaly.But,famedoesnotlastwhenhegrowstooold andhistalentdiminishes.EverythingchangesonefatefulChristmas Eve,whenGiovannijugglesforhismostimportantaudienceofall time.Thisbookisbestread-aloudtochildren–butbesuretohave sometissueshandy.
This is the Star by Joyce Dunbar
Thethemeof“light”iscarriedthroughoutthecumulativerhyming structure,withrichoilpaintingsbeautifullydepictingthestoryof thebirthofJesus.Bestreadaloud.
Our Lady of Guadalupe by Tomie dePaola
OurLadyofGuadalupe’sfeastday,aswellasSt.JuanDiego’s,are excitingcelebrationsduringtheAdventseason.Whatbetterwayto celebratethanacharmingretellingofSt.JuanDiego’sencounters withOurLady.
Author’s note: These books are suggestions, and not meant to imply the Diocese of Arlington has granted an imprimatur for any of the books, nor any official endorsement of the books, the authors, illustrators, publishers, or their views As always, discretion and discernment is advised
Lectio Divina Video Meditations
TheDioceseofArlingtonhasproducedawonderfulseriesofLectio DivinaMeditationstoaccompanyyouthisAdventSeason.This seriesisledbyArlingtonDiocesanpriestsanditaimstoshowyou thebasicsofLectioDivinaandhowitcanbeincorporatedintoyour dailyprayerlife.
ScantheQRcodebelowtoaccessthevideomeditations! TheseriesisofferedinSpanishandinEnglish.
LectioDivinaisaLatintermthatmeans“divinereading”or“sacred reading”. Scan the QR code below to learn more about the methodologyandhistoryofthisformofprayer!
Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe
for Couples Struggling with Infertility, Miscarriage & Infant Loss
Week 1: December 1-7
A Sister’s Guide to Starting off Advent Right
Sunday, December 1st: Isaiah 11:1-2
ThecomingofourSaviorJesusbringsthatfeelingofanticipation. TheexcitementofwaitingfillstheheartwithHope.There’smuch forwardlookingandatthesametimedeepinsideisthedesireto readyoneselfforChrist.
Isaiah11:1says,“ButashootshallsproutfromthestumpofJesse,and fromhisroots,abudshallblossom.”
Ialwayslovethesymbolofastumpwithsproutingleavesduringthe season.Ioftenuseabranchwithnewleavestodecoratemydesk.
Adventputsuseverydayonbecomingawareofthefirstglimmerof dawn,andwhatneedstobedone.Areminderandaninvitationto renewandgrowmoreinlivingourtruecallingaschildrenofGod. Mypartisgoingforspiritualdirection,confessionandaweekend retreatwithmycommunity.Adventalsoinvitesmetodosomething newlikedoingacreativeliturgywithmycommunity;formingnew connectionswithpeople,andbringingmoreattentiontotheoutcast andthelonely.
Myministryisanintegralpartofmyliturgicalliving.Iamgladtobe inSt.ThomasMore.EachtimeIentertheCathedral,itinvitesme intoadeepercommunicationwithGod.WhateverIdo:organizethe Sacristy,preparethevesselsforMass,invitevolunteers,orcoordinate groupsfortours,IknowIaminaholyplacewhereIcansaymy deepestprayersinthestillnessthatabounds.
By Sister Jubi, Cathedral of St Thomas More
Tuesday December 3rd
FeastofSt.FrancisXavier,co-founderofthe SocietyofJesus,andamissionaryfromSpain. Knownasthe"ApostleoftheIndies","Apostle oftheFarEast,"ApostleofChina"and"Apostle ofJapan",heisconsideredtobeoneofthe greatestmissionariessinceSt.Paul.Includedin hislonglistofpatronagesis“AfricanMissions”. IntheDioceseofArlington,severalAfrican CatholicCommunitiesmeetregularlyforMass andotherculturalevents.Oneexampleisthe
GhanaianCatholicCommunity,whomeetweeklyforMassatSt. MaryofSorrowsinFairfax,Virginia.InhonorofSt.Francis Xavier’sfeastday,considerattendingMasswiththemthisweek, makingityour“mission”toencounterculturalcommunitiesand experiencetheirrichfaithtraditions.
Masstime:1:30PMatSt.MaryofSorrowseverySunday. Allarewelcome.
(Genesis 6:11-14, 7-17, 8:3, 9:8-13)
Wednesday December 4th
December4thisthefeastofBl.GiovanniCalabriaaswellas NationalCookieDay!Bl.GiovanniwasanItalianpriestwho foundedtheCongregationofthePoorServantsandthePoor WomenServantsofDivineProvidence.Hislifewascharacterized bycharityandhewasbeatifiedbySt.PopeJohnPaullIIin1988. TocelebratehisfeastdayandNationalCookieDay,trymaking “ItalianRicottaCookies”,arecipesubmittedbyKathleenMacaluso, aparishionerofNativityCatholicChurchinBurke.Youcaneven doacharitableworkandsharethemwithyourneighbors!
All recipes can be found in the “Recipe” section of the guidebook
Friday December 6 (Genesis 15:1-6)
FeastofSt.Nicholas,abishopfromMyrainAsianMinor(modern day Türkiye). The story of St. Nicholas and the miracles he performedareknownfarandwide,andmostnotably,heisknown forhissecretgiftgiving,lendingtotheriseoftheSantaClaus tradition.
Itisclearthatallovertheworld,thereiscausetocelebrate heroic andbenevolentfiguresthroughgift-givingandgenerosity.Onthe feastofSt.Nicholas,therearemanytraditionstoembrace.Children typicallyleaveoutashoeontheeveofSt.NicholasDay,wakingup thenextmorningtofinditisfilledwithsmallgifts,likecoins,candy andoranges.TheorangesaresymbolicofthegoldSt.Nicholasgave tothoseinneed.
PerhapsthemostsignificantwaytohonorthelegacyofSt.Nicholas isthroughrandomactsofkindnessandgenerosity.Considersmall waysthroughoutthedayyoucangiftaneighbororstranger.Or, contactCatholicCharitiesintheDioceseofArlingtontolearnthe needsofthosestrugglingduringtheholidaysandfindwaysyour householdcancontribute,intime,talent,ortreasure
Visitccda.nettolearnmore,orcall703-841-3830.
Anotherwayofhelpingthosein need is praying for them intentionallyinfrontoftheBlessed Sacrament.EXALTinvitesyoung adultsthroughoutthedioceseforan eveningofworshipandprayer.
When: December6,7:00-8:30PM
Where: NativityCatholicChurch 6400NativityLane Burke,22015
Saturday December 7 (Genesis 37:1-36)
Feast of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Italy. St. Ambroseisadoctorofthechurchandwastheteacher whoaidedinSt.Augustine’sconversionandBaptism. Alongwithbeingaprolificwriter,St.Ambroseis creditedwithwriting alargenumberofhymns,one ofthembeingtheAdventhymn Veni, Redemptor Gentium (O,ComeRedeemeroftheEarth).Whenwe thinkofmusic,weoftenthinkoftheclassicsthatwe
CanitasDoradas,hostedbytheOfficeofHispanic Ministry,isafreeeventtoprovidejoyandcommunity totheelderlyofourdiocese. ThisyearitisonDecember7thfrom11AM-1PM. Call(703)841-3891toRSVP! hearduringChristmas.However,thereissuchathingasAdvent music!HereareacoupleofAdventsongstoenjoythisseasonwhile wepreparefortheChristmastunescomingsoon.We’veincluded somehymnsinSpanishaswell!
OCome,OComeEmmanuel ComeThouLong-ExpectedJesus MySoulInStillnessWaits OnJordan’sBank
PreparenElCamino (PreparetheWay) VirgendelAdviento (VirgenofAdvent)
Week 2: December 8-14
Sunday, December 8th: Deuteronomy 5:1-22 Waiting for the Branch
“A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” (Isaiah11:1).
JessewasthefatherofDavid,Israel'sgreatestking.AndJesusis descendedfromthelineofDavid.HeisthebranchGodpromised wouldgrowfromJesse'sfamilytree.TheJesseTreeisawalk throughthehumanancestryofJesusChrist,startingwithAdamand endingwithJesusHimself.
That’saveryhigh-levelviewofoursalvationhistoryandIdon’t knowifit’sjustmeornot,butitseemsthatitinvolvedawholelot ofwaiting!TheBookofGenesishastwomajorsections first… thecreationandexpansionofthehumanrace(2:4–11:9);this divisioncontainsthestoryofAdamandEve,ourfirstparentsand theintroductionofsinintotheworld;thesecondofthetwomajor divisionsspeakstothestoryofAbrahamandhisdescendants,who wouldbetheearthlyancestorsoftheJesus,theSaviorofhumanity, whowouldatoneforoursins.Now,itisgenerallyacceptedthat Davidwasbornabout1,000yearsbeforeChrist(around1034BC) AndAbrahamwasbornabout1,000yearsbeforeDavid.So,itwas about2,000yearsbetweenAbrahamandJesus!Whetheryouagree withthenumbersofyearsornot,itwasa very longtimebetween AbrahamandJesus.Andnow,alittlemorethantwothousandyears later,we’rewaitingforJesustocomebackagain.That’s a lot of waiting!
InadditiontowaitingforJesus’secondcoming,withallHispower andgloryvisibletothewholeworld,theseasonofAdventgivesus anopportunitytoalsorefocusonandpreparetocelebrateagainHis firstcomingatChristmas.IjustloveAdventandChristmas!The anticipation,thepreparations,thedecorations,andthefood.Oh, mygoodness…thefood!Asachild,IremembermygrandmaLucy wouldmakeherspecialfruitcakes.SheandGrandaddyHenryhad sixchildren,andshewouldmakeoneforeachoftheirfamilies.
Folksmakefunoffruitcakesnowadays,buttheynevertastedoneof Grandmamma’sfruitcakes!Mymomwouldmakeherfamouspeach cobbler.Shewouldusepeachesfreshoffthetreeandthedumplings weresolightthattheywouldjustfloataroundinthejuicesofthe cobbler.Ofcourse,theybothmadeeverythingfromscratch,using onlythebest,freshestingredients.Andtheywouldmakesurewe wenttoChurchtoo.NoChurch…nofruitcakeandnopeach cobbler!
Asanadult,withafamilyofmyown,Ioftenlookbackonthose times and realize how important they were to my Christian formation.Weweretaughtnotonlytheimportanceoffamily,but alsotheimportanceofChristbeingincludedinthefamily.Ialso realizehowblessedIamtohaveawifewhoforthepast55+years hassharedthosevaluesandherverylifewithme.Shewasraisedina verysimilarfamilyenvironmentandbringswonderfulstoriesofher owntothetable.Ourchildren,grandchildren,andgreatgrandsare wonderfuladditionstoourfamilytree.WemaynotbetheJesse tree,butwehope,pray,andworktobefruitfulbranchesonthe vinethatisJesus.
Intoday’sGospel,weheardJohntheBaptistsay“Preparethewayof theLord,makestraightHispaths…”.Thebestwaytoprepareand makestraightthepathforHimtoenterintoourheartsandour familiesistogetridofeverythingthatblocksHimfromcomingin; allthepettiness,jealousy,anger,etc.:letitgo.Also,mydearsisters and brothers in Christ, as we wait in joyful preparation and anticipationduringthisAdventseason,takeamomenttostopand countyourblessings.Bethankfulforyourfamilies,friends,pastors andparishioners,everyoneGodhasplacedintoyourlivestowalk withyouonthejourney.Mostofall,bethankfulforourdivine brother,JesusChrist,whobysharinginourhumanityhasenabled ustocallHisFatherourFather.Tomorrow,wewillcelebratethe SolemnityoftheImmaculateConceptionoftheBlessedVirgin Mary;thenewEve,thefirsttabernacleoftheBodyandBloodof ChristandourHolyMother.Whatafamily! HappyAdvent!
By Deacon Albert “Al” Anderson Jr., St. Joseph Catholic Church, Alexandria
Monday December 9(Joshua 2:1-21)
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
TheSolemnityoftheImmaculateConceptionscelebratesMary’s conceptionwithoutoriginalsin.Usually,theSolemnityofthe ImmaculateConceptioniscelebratedonDecember8.Thisyear, becauseDecember8fallsonaSunday,theSolemnityhasbeen movedtothenextday,December9.BishopBurbidgegaveusa specialmessageclarifyingtheobligationofthisdayontheWalk HumblyPodcast.TakealistentothepodcastbyscanningtheQR codebelow!
, BeforeGodbecameman,Hefirstpreparedhismother,creatingher pure.ThiswasdefineddogmaticallybyPopePiusIXin1854. Itis,bypontificaldecree,thepatronalfeastdayofArgentina,Brazil, Chile,Italy,Korea,Nicaragua,Paraguay,thePhilippines,Spain,the UnitedStates,andUruguay.
TherearemanywaysonecanhonorOurLadytoday,inadditionto attendingMass:
PraytheLitanyofLoreto
HoldaMarianProcessionwithyourhouseholdusingimagesof OurLadyyoumayhaveinyourhome
PraytheRosary
ReflectingonMary’spurity,cleananareaofyourhomethathas beenneglected
Gotoconfession
Eatfoodsin“Marian”colorslikeblueorwhite,orsymbolicof OurLady(blueberries,rosemary,stuffedpeppers)
PutoutflowersforOurLady,likelilies,roses,marigolds,or periwinkle.
ThePhilippinesisoneofthecountrieswhosepatronalfeastdayis theSolemnityoftheImmaculateConception.Tryoutthesetasty Filipinodishessubmittedbyparishionersofthediocese!
1)“Lumpia(FilipinoMiniEggRolls)”-submittedbyChiqui Sanchez, parishioner of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic ChurchinVienna.
2)““Killer”PorkAdobo”-consideredthenationaldishofThe Philippines,thisporkstewgoesgreatwithwarmrice.Submittedby ShirleyDelmundo,parishionerofSt.JamesCatholicChurchinFalls Church.
All recipes can be found in the “Recipe” section of the guidebook.
Thisyear,December9is aHolyDay of Obligation. Bishop Burbidge is celebratingMassattheCathedralof St.ThomasMoreat12:05pm.You canalsoscantheQRcodebelowto findaMassattheparishnearestto you.MakesureyougettoMass!
PleaseconfirmtheMasstimelisted herewiththerespectiveparish. Or,typeinMassTimes.orgonyour browser.
Tuesday December 10 (Ruth 2:1-4:12)
FeastofSt.PeterDuong(alsocalledPierre),aVietnamesemartyr canonizedbyPopeJohnPaulII.Heservedasacatechist,andisone ofthe117VietnameseMartyrs.Althoughnotmuchisknownabout thelifeofSt.PeterDuong,heandhisbrothersandsistersare veneratedbyVietnameseCatholicsaroundtheworld.
TheDioceseofArlingtonishometoHolyMartyrsofVietnam CatholicChurchinArlington,thefirstestablishedVietnamese CatholicChurchintheUnitedStates,foundedin1997.Scanthe QRcodetolearnmoreabouttheparishanditshistory.
InadditiontoHolyMartyrsofVietnam,theDioceseofArlington establishedOurLadyofLaVangMission.Asamission,theymeet atSt.VeronicainChantillyforSundayanddailyMass,prayer groups,culturalcelebrationsandmore.
Learnmoreaboutthemissionbyscanning theQRcode:
TohonorSt.PeterDuongandallthemartyrs,considerattending MasswiththeVietnamesecommunityineitherlocation.
Thursday December 12 (2 Samuel 5:1-5)
FeastofOurLadyofGuadalupe,patronessofMexicoandthe Americas.ThisisthedaythatOurLady’simagewasmiraculously imprintedonSt.JuanDiego’smantle,afterappearingtohim.Here aresomeideasforhowtohonorOurLadyonherfeastday.
The recently renovated Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlingtonhasatraditionalrenderingoftheimageinthenaveof thechurch.Takethisopportunitytomakeapilgrimagetothe MotherChurchandaskfortheintercessionofOurLady. December12isalsoNationalPoinsettiaDay!Poinsettiasare indigenous to Mexico, where Our Lady appeared. Buy a poinsettiaplanttokeepinyourhouseorbringtoanearby church.
Attenda“LasMañanitas”celebrationatanearbyparish.Thisis a celebration of Our Lady that usually includes singing traditionalsongs(sometimeswithamariachiband!),Mass,and tamalesforbreakfast.Justbewarned,theyusuallystartaround3 AM!
Friday December 13
(1 Kings 5:5, 1 Kings 6)
FeastofSt.Lucy,amartyrfromtheearly-4thcentury,patronofthe blindandthosewitheyetroubles.DevotiontoSt.Lucyispopular worldwide,butespeciallyinItalyandScandinavia.Accordingto thetraditionalstory,St.Lucywasofnoblebirth,andwasbetrothed toapagan.BecauseLucywasadevoutChristian,shepleadedwith hermothertocancelthewedding,andhermotherobliged.When hersuitorfoundoutaboutherChristianfaith,illegalduringthis time,hereportedhertotheauthoritiesandtheymademultiple attemptstotakeherlife,includingremovinghereyes,whichwere miraculouslyrestored.ShedidnotdieuntilshereceivedLastRites.
InScandinaviancountries,sheisreferredtoasSantaLucia,andis picturedasayoungwomaninwhitedressandaredsash,wearinga wreathofcandlesonherhead.Insomestories,St.Lucyisknownas travelingdownintothecatacombsofRome,andsothedecisionto wearcandlesonherheadwaspractical,lightingherpathwhile freeingbothherhandstocarrysupplies.
Ideasforhowtocelebratethefeastday:
Makeacrownwithawreathandcandles
Bake“St.Lucybuns”,sweetsaffron-flavored breakfastbuns,withtworaisinsaddedto representhereyes!
In some homes, the oldest daughter is assigned to play St. Lucy, adorning the costumeifpossible,andservingthefamily coffee,buns,andotherbakedgoods.
Inyourprayerintentions,includethosewho areexperiencingblindnessorlossofvision
Make “Swedish White Brownies” or “SwedishApplePie”foundin Gather at the Table, ourmulticulturalcookbook!
All recipes can be found in the “Recipe” section of the guidebook.
Saturday December 14
EveryoneisinvitedtocelebrateaMassinThanksgivingfortheGift ofHumanLifewithBishopBurbidgeonDecember14th!Cometo Mass,andafterwards,theBishopwillleadaRosaryinthechurch. Don'tmissout!Massisat9amandtheRosaryisimmediately following
Where:St.CharlesBorromeoCatholicChurch (Esther 4)
Week 3: December 15-21
Childlike Joy
Sunday, December 15th: Isaiah 9:2-7
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.” (Isaiah9:2-3)
Adventcomestousatthedarkesttimeoftheyear.Shorterdays, colderweather.Butwhenwelightanothercandleeachweekof Advent,ourworldbecomesalittlebrighter.
Irememberbeingsoeagertogettothethirdweekofadventasa littlegirl.OnGaudeteSunday,myfamilyandIwouldbringthe babyJesusfromourcrechetobeblessedatMass.MysisterandI wouldbesoexcitedtolighttherosecandle.Itwasdifferentfrom therest,soweknewitmeantsomethingspecial;somethingwas changing, something was coming. It was then and is now a reminderthatthecomingofChristisnear.Thewaitisalmostover.
Thisdark,quiet,stillseasonhascometohavemoremeaningtome in my young adult years. The older I get and the more responsibilityIhave,theeasieritistobecomeconsumedbythe distractionsandworriesofourworld.Thejoyful,childlikeoutlook thatwasonceinnateseemsmoreandmoredistant.Forme,Advent isalwaysacallbacktothatchildlikedependency,especiallyduring thisthirdweekaswereflectonjoy.
OneofthegreatgiftsIhavereceivedasayoungadulthasbeen watchingmanyofmyfriendsenterintotheirvocationsandbecome parents.WhenIlookattheirbabies,mydistractionsandworriesof theworldseemtodisappear.Achild’sjoypenetratesthisdarkworld inallitssimplicity.IntheSermonontheMount,Jesussays,“Truly,
Isaytoyou,unlessyouturnandbecomelikechildren,youwill neverenterthekingdomofheaven”(Mt18:3).Christwantsthat childlikejoyforusalways.
MaythethirdweekofAdventbearemindertoyoutofind childlikejoyinallthings,foritwasthelightofachild,thelightof theChristchild,thatfirstbroughtlightintothedarkness.
By Grace Gretz, Program Specialist, Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries
Gaudete Sunday
(Isaiah 9:2-7)
ThethirdSundayofAdventisGaudeteSunday. Gaudete,meaning“rejoice!”,isthefirstwordofthe entranceantiphonforMass,wherepriestsadornrose colored vestments, celebrating that we are halfway throughAdvent.Therose,orpink,candleonthe Adventwreathislitthisweek,reflectingontheJoy
ofAdventandnewlifetocomebywayoftheChristChild.
Alsocalled“BambinelliSunday”,childrenmaybeinvitedtobring babyJesusforwardforablessing,aoldVaticantraditiongrowingin popularityintheUnitedStates.
OnGaudeteSunday,considerthefollowingtraditions:
WearpinkorrosetoMass
BringababyJesusfigurinetobeblessedbyapriestafterMass Setupyourmanger,intentionallyexcludingthebabyJesus untilChristmasday
Make “Shepherd’s Pie”, a recipe submitted by Catherine MurphyofPreciousBloodCatholicChurch,torepresentthe mangerawaitingthebirthofJesus!
All recipes can be found in the “Recipe” section of the guidebook.
AsyouenterintothislastfullweekofAdvent,remember,itisnot Christmasyet!Besuretosetasidetimeforquietprayer,reflecting onthecomingofourSavior,JesusChrist.Trytotakeatleastone daythisweektorest,findtimetovisitJesusinthetabernacle,do spiritualreadingorjournal,andbepresentwiththeLord,because duringthisseasonofwaiting,Heiswaitingforyou!
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, will celebrate Simbang Gabi at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington on Sunday, December 22 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow. All are welcome!
SimbangGabiisa400yearoldFilipinotradition,andintheDiocese ofArlingtonitbeginstheeveningofDecember15andendsthe morningonDecember24.Massesareheldalloverthediocesefor theseninedays.SimbangGabihonorsthejourneyMaryandJoseph madetoBethlehem.Itiscelebratedinparishesacrossthediocese,and bytravelingnightafternight,faithfulmayparticipateinthatjourney withMaryandJoseph.,MostMassesincludeareceptionor“salusalo”afterwhereallmaygatherforfoodandfellowship.
Allarewelcometoattendanyofthescheduledmasses. PleasescantheQRcodebeloworvisit www.arlingtondiocese.org/simbanggabi2024formoreinformation
AnnualCelebration
Saturday December 21 (Matthew 3:1-6)
ThefeastofSt.AndrewDungLac,Vietnamesemartyrcanonized bySt.PopeJohnPaulII.HewasborninBacNinh,Vietnamin around1795.HewasaconverttoCatholicismandwasthencalled tobeapriest,ordainedin1823.Hewascaptured duringthe persecutionofChristiansandwasmartyredin1839.Heisan exampleofamanwhosaidyestohisvocationandtotheWillof theLord.
Weareallcalledtodiscernourvocation,andourOfficeof Vocationsprovidesgreatresourcestoencouragemenandwomen todothat.TheAdventDayofRecollectionforMenDiscernersis onDecember21from10am-4pm.TheWomen’sDayof RecollectionisonDecember22from10:30am-4pm.Scanthe QRcodebelowtovisittheOfficeofVocation’sEventswebsitefor moreinformationandhowtosignup.
Youcanalsowatch“ADayin theLifeofaCatholicPriest” whichfollowsFr.JohnPaul Heisler,parochialvicaratSt. JamesinFallsChurch.
LawrenceO.P.,Flickr
Week 4: December 22-24
Sunday, December 22nd: Luke 1:26-38
TheGospelforthefourthSundayofAdvent(Lk1:39-45)isa testamentoffaith,acelebrationofGod'slove,andatimeforjoy.In theJesseTreetraditiontoday"MaryisChosen"(Lk1:26-38).Yes, MaryisthechosenonetobethefirsttabernacleandMotherof Jesus.ArchbishopTimothyP.BrogliosaidattheDiocesanMarian Symposium,"AftertheVirginMarylearned(fromtheAngel)she wouldgivebirthtoChrist,shequicklysetofftovisithercousin Elizabeth. In this moment, Mary provides a clear example of acceptingGod’swillandpromptlysharinghisgoodnews.Mary boreJesusinherwomb,andherfirstthoughtwastosharehis presencewithanother.TobringJesustoothersisthelifetime vocationforallofus.”
Furthermore,theGospelremindsusoftheFeastoftheVisitationof theBlessedVirginMary(May31),butespeciallyitremindsmy familyeveryMondayandSaturdaywhenwepraytheHolyRosary's secondjoyfulmystery,"TheVisitationofMarytoElizabeth."Aswe prayandmeditateonthismysteryeveryweek,wenoticethefaith andhumilitythatMaryandhercousinhadastheHolySpirit workedthroughthem,butmoresoinMary.Elizabeth"wasfilled withtheHolySpirit;andcryingoutwithaloudvoice,shesaid:'(...) howisitthatthemotherofmyLordcomestome?'"(Lk1:41-43). St.Ambrosesaid,"Johnleapsforjoy,andMaryrejoicesinherspirit. ElizabethwasfilledwiththeSpiritaftersheconceived,butMary wasfilledwiththeSpiritbeforesheconceived,foritissaidofher, ‘Blessedareyouwhobelieved!’"
Lastly,theVisitationtouchesourheartsbecauseofElizabeth's recognitionofMotherMary'syestotheWay,theTruthandthe Life:babyJesus.Inacultureofdeath,IbelieveJesusthroughMary
istheWaytohaveacultureoflifeinourfaithcommunityandin theworld.MywifeandItrytobuildacultureoflifeinour domesticchurch.Forexample,traditionallyeveryAdventmyfamily ofsixcelebratesthestartoftheLiturgicalyearwithdecoratingthe housewithanativityscene without babyJesusonthemanger,a Christmastree without lightingit(untilChristmasEve),andaJesse TreewhereweprayandsingeverydaytheeventsleadingtoJesus’ birth.MayweberenewedandreadytoreceivebabyJesuswith faithandjoyinourheartslikeMarydidintheAnnunciationand ElizabethintheVisitation.
By Alberto Calimano, St Gabriel Mission
Tuesday December 24 (Luke 2:1-5)
WemadeittotheendoftheAdventseason!Whetheryouaregoing tomidnightMassorChristmasdayMass,wewishyouaveryjoyful starttoyourChristmasseason.
Aswegetclosertotheendoftheyear,itisimportantforusto preparefortheupcomingJubileeYearofHope.TheHolyDoorsof St.Peter’sBasilicaareopeningonDecember24,remindingusallof thepassageeveryChristianmustmakefromsintograce.
TheJubileeofHopewillhostmanydifferenteventsandencourages thefaithfultomakepilgrimagestotheVatican.ScantheQRcode belowtovisitthemainwebsiteandlearnmore!
Advent Markets
Across the Diocese
AdventMarkets(alsocalledChristmasMarketsorBazaars)arebased onthe“Adventmarkts”thatwerepopularizedinGermanspeaking partsofEuropeinthelateMiddleAges.Thisjoyfulattraction featurescrafts,gifts,andfoodduringthefourweeksofAdventand is a popular stop for gifts to handout at Christmastime. The followingareafewparisheshostinganAdventMarket*:
St John the Baptist Front Royal, VA
St. Leo the Great Fairfax, VA
St. Bernadette, Springfield, VA
St. Anthony of Padua Falls Church, VA
St.Rita Alexandria,VA
Saturday, November 30, 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM Sunday, December 1, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Sunday, December 8, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday, December 7, 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Saturday, December 7, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Sunday,December8,10:30AMto3:30PM
*Please contact parish for more details
St. Andrew Prayer
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother.
The“novena”toSt.Andrewbeginsonhisfeastday,November 30th,andconcludesonChristmasEve.Itisanexceptiontotypical novenasthatlastonlyninedays,andisprayed15timesadayfor25 days,endingonChristmasEve.Attheconclusionofthenovena,it isapiousbeliefthatthosewhopraythenovenawillobtainthefavor requested.
FindoutmoreabouttheSt.AndrewNovenafromHallow: www.hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-st-andrew-christmasnovena
The “O Antiphons” of Advent
Atraditiondatingbackasearlyasthe7thcentury,theOAntiphons havebeenapartofeveningprayeranddailyGospelacclamations, said during December 17-23. Each antiphon provides vivid imagery,proclaimingthecomingofChrist.Youareinvitedtoscan thecodebelowtoaccessfreedownloadable“OAntiphons”to reflecton.
Advent Wreath Meditations
Atraditiondatingbackto16thcenturyGermany,theAdvent WreathhasbeenastapleinmanyhomesofChristiansthroughout the world during the season of Advent. The wreath typically consistsoffourcandles,threevioletandonerose,representingthe fourweeksofAdvent,lightinganewcandleeachSunday.Every night,theappropriatecandlesarelitandthehouseholdcomes togethertopray.
ScantheQRCodebelowtobedirectedtosuggestedAdvent PrayersandreflectionsforeachdayofAdvent,availablethroughthe EternalWordTelevisionNetwork:
Recipes
All recipes included in the guidebook were submitted by the individualandusedwithpermissiontoappearintheDiocesan cookbook, “Gather At the Table: Multicultural Cooking for LiturgicalLiving”.Inclusioninthisguidebookisintendedfor promotionalpurposes.
To access the recipes referenced in this guidebookandlearnmoreaboutthecookbook project,scantheQRcode:
Ifyouwouldliketopurchasethefullcookbook, scantheQRcodefortheorderformandmore instructions:
At a Glance
Feast Day Calendar
December 3
December 4
December 6
December 7
December 9
December 10
December 12
December 13
December 18
December 21
St. Francis Xavier (Spain)
Bl. Giovanni Calabria (Italy)
St. Nicholas (Türkiye)
St. Ambrose (Italy)
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception*
St. Peter Duong (Vietnam)
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mexico)
St. Lucy (Italy)
St. Moses/Moysetes** (North Africa)
St. Andrew Dung Lac (Vietnam)
*The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Observance begins the evening before with a vigil Mass.
Check your parish for available Mass times.
** A saint in the Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar
Are we missing anything?
Contact us and let us know if we can include your traditions, recipes or parish, ministry, or school event or initiative in future guidebooks!
Email us at mcm@arlingtondiocese.org