Notre Dame 2022 Advent Booklet

Academy of Notre Dame de Namur

Advent

The Advent Season is upon us. Our hope is that, as we journey through Advent, this booklet can serve as a guide for you and your family as we join together in prayer as a Notre Dame community this Christmas.

This inspirational booklet, designed by Rachel Swan '23, contains prayers, readings from scripture, journal questions, and reflections from ND community members designed to engage you in a moment of reflection for each day of Advent. Use it individually or as a family to grow closer to Christ as we await his coming during this liturgical season.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27

Oh Lord on high, How long must your people cry?

Chained by sin and shame, With no one but ourselves to blame.

Wandering in endless night, No rest, no peace, only a fight, Against enemies we can see, And ones from whom we'll never be free.

Bitter sighs with sorrowful wails, But we know your faithfulness prevails.

Where is our Savior, our Messiah?

Who was prophesied by Isaiah and Jeremiah?

Who will bring us out of oppression And lift us in ascension?

How long, O God, must we wait, In our pitiful and suffering state?

-Upper School Student

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 27 How do you hope the Advent Season will renew your faith?

MONDAY NOVEMBER 28

A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Isaiah 40:3-5

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29 Reflection by a Upper School Student Whether you are a firm believer in waiting until after Thanksgiving to begin the Christmas festivities or you already have all of your Christmas stuff exploding all over your house, most people can agree on one thing: Christmas is one of the best times of the year, especially at Notre Dame.

Christmas is a million different things - it’s screaming Mariah Carey Christmas songs as she comes out of hibernation. It’s making Christmas cookies with your loved ones and, depending on your family, burning them all to crisps. But to me, Christmas is all about family. And with that, Christmas is about my Notre Dame sisterhood. There is this fascinating holiday magic and hope that I’ve seen every year here since 6th grade. Once December 1st hits, we all turn up our kindness meters by at least 30 percent. Advent Angels is just around the corner, and most people are buzzing with excitement for who they will get. Doors are always held open, the most atrocious Christmas sweaters in existence begin to surface, along with the obligatory Santa suit from someone and there is always a sparkle of joy in someone's eyes. This, however strange it may sound, is when I see Jesus enter Notre Dame. We are waiting for Jesus and celebrating his birth during the Advent season, but by doing so, we have all managed to embody him when we are with each other. We begin to love others more because we have learned to love the world around us. So as we transition into the holiday season and out of it, remember not only to look for Jesus in others, but to embody him and his message of love and devotion by learning to recognize all the good that surrounds our community not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 30

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.

O Israel, hope in the Lord!

For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.

It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Psalm 130:5-8

THURSDAY DECEMBER 1 Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, we who are anxious over many things, look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Amen.

-Henri Nouwen Dutch-born Catholic priest, professor, psychologist and prolific writer

THURSDAY DECEMBER 1 What are you hopeful for?

How has your faith shaped your hope?

FRIDAY DECEMBER 2 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:26-38

SATURDAY DECEMBER 3 Reflection by a Upper School Student During the season of Advent, as we prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ our savior, we must also remember how He came to be in this world. Advent is a time in which I remember Jesus' mother, Mary, who was a brave and selfless woman. It was a beautiful miracle to conceive Jesus and have a virgin birth. When the angel Gabriel approached Mary, he told her that God had chosen her to be the mother of his son, Mary was shocked, but she had trust in the Lord and said “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Mary had no doubts.

I want to live my life like Mary. I want to be brave and have faith in God. There are times when I am scared and I do not know what to do. During the Advent season, I am reminded to be brave like Mary because God is with me.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 4

God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome.

Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 4 What hinders you from receiving Christ? How do you share Christ’s wisdom with others?

MONDAY DECEMBER 5 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Luke 2:8-14

TUESDAY DECEMBER 6 Reflection by a Upper School Student Saint Nicholas Day is a Catholic holiday celebrated on December 6, throughout the globe. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of children and is most known for his tradition of dropping small gifts in children’s shoes on December 6. It is popularly known that only good children are given presents while the bad ones are given coal. Growing up, I always put my shoes out for St. Nicholas, hoping he would fill them with small treats and gifts. I vividly remember putting my shoes out before I went to bed on December 5, and waking up the next morning to the newly popular roll on lip gloss. Something so little created so much joy. In the following years, this inspired me to be on my best behavior during the days and weeks leading up to the night, especially, because I share a birthday with the feast day of St. Nicholas. Sharing a birthday with this tradition only made the day more special. I consider Saint Nicholas Day one of the most prominent days during Advent, as it gives hope and excitement for the following weeks of December. I know it is easy to get distracted by the whirlwind of exciting Christmas traditions, but I think Saint Nicholas Day is an important reminder that Advent is a time of giving, celebration, and hope.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7 And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.

He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Luke 1:46-55

THURSDAY DECEMBER 8 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION God, you who dispel all darkness, come to be with us, in each one of our situations, come to live among us, live with us and in us, come to fill the distances that divide us and separate us, come to reconcile us with you and with one another.

God of light, open our hearts to the mystery of your love and the invitation of your grace. Let our complacency give way to conversion and our judgments to compassionate acceptance of others.

Turn oppression into justice and transform conflict to peace.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, who draws near.

Amen.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 8 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

How do you find peace in God? How do you find peace in yourself?

FRIDAY DECEMBER 9

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

John 1:14-18

SATURDAY DECEMBER 10 Reflection by Dr. O'Brien Advent always brings my heart and mind to ponder beginnings - the birth of my children, adopting both of them and seeing their eyes sparkle each time they learned something new. Beginnings are without question powerful moments to ponder. They remind us of our roots and the things that have helped to develop the very core of who we are as human beings.

In this pondering, I am often brought back to Jesus’ humble beginnings. I wonder if St. Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus, pondered similar miracles like I do about my now teenagers. Only a few people really knew Jesus as he grew up but with his life of giving and his total sacrifice did his birth, his beginning become a profound moment.

After his sacrifice for humanity, people scrambled to know the story of his life - his Mother, Mary, and his Father, Joseph.

Continued on pg. 22

SATURDAY DECEMBER 10 Reflection by Dr. O'Brien, continued As I ponder the beginnings that Advent brings to mind, I ultimately find myself feeling a deep sense of gratitude not only for all of the beginnings that are part of the fabric of my life but also for the people who gave of themselves so that I could experience moments of growth.

This Advent I pause in gratitude for the birth-moms of my children who chose me to be “Mom” for their children. I am grateful for the amazing journey that has brought us to where we are today. This Advent I am grateful for the humble start of the life of Jesus because his example of sacrifice brings meaning to every beginning.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 11

Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ, experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 11 What brings you joy during the Advent Season?

MONDAY DECEMBER 12 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:5-9

TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 Reflection by a Middle School Student Advent is a time of anticipation and waiting for Jesus to come into the world to save us all from sin. While waiting for Jesus’ light to illuminate the world, it provides us the opportunity to reflect on ourselves, deepen our friendship with Him, and more. During this time, I especially feel Jesus coming into my life.

First, Jesus comes into my life through family.

Every Christmas my family and I come together to share love, happiness, and the anticipation of Jesus coming into the world. During Christmas, we always share lots of laughs at the dinner table, exchange sentimental gifts, and listen to Christmas music. Second, during Christmas time, Jesus also enters into the world through other people. During Advent, people are very jolly and joyful, and I think that’s because He is coming into the world and making his triumph through everyone. Advent is a time where we hope and we anticipate for Jesus’ coming.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 14 Be patient, therefore, beloved,until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Above all, my beloved,do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

James 5:7-12

THURSDAY DECEMBER 15

Emmanuel, Our world waits in darkness longing for your light. In the midst of darkness, enkindle our hope. As we long for lasting peace, be with us, as we long for cures and healings, be with us.

As we long for love and community, be with us.

Fulfill the deepest longings of your people and dispel the darkness in our hearts and in our world. Let your Word ignite the hope the world needs to bring to life your love.

Amen.

-Sr. Katherine Feely, SND

THURSDAY DECEMBER 15 How do you show God’s love?

How do you feel God’s love?

FRIDAY DECEMBER 16

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.

And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

1 John 3:1-3

SATURDAY DECEMBER 17 Reflection by Ms. Tully I look forward to Advent every year. I think it might have something to do with my love for candles and singing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," but as I've grown up, I've realized that it also has something to do with the mystery of the Incarnation.

It is amazing to me that God came among us in a living, breathing body, just like mine, and on Christmas, that is what we are celebrating!

Sometimes, it can feel hard to relate to Jesus' life, and it can feel even more challenging to live up to the example he set for us.

Remembering that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine brings me great peace. While I light the candles on my Advent wreath, I try to remember that Jesus lit candles, too. He used the same senses that I have to experience the world, and it's a reminder to use my senses to look for his presence in the world today.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18

Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan.

Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18 How can you open your mind, heart, and soul to receive the Holy Spirit?

How has the Advent season renewed your faith?

MONDAY DECEMBER 19 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son;and he named him Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25

TUESDAY DECEMBER 20 Reflection by Dr. Hotchkiss Waiting...

Waiting is the act of knowing what is coming and needing to be patient.

Waiting is knowing that fall is in the air and the leaves will be changing and letting nature do the work.

Waiting is baking bread, smelling it in the oven, eager to share a slice with a friend.

Waiting is an act of faith as one waits for the birth of a child, God's work.

Waiting expands your heart as you wait for the arrival of your family at the holidays, for Sunday night dinner, and for the unexpected celebration of being together.

Waiting tests your patience when you don't know the right or best decision, you wait and pray for the light.

Waiting slows life down, encourages you to notice, to be grateful.

To wait is to wonder, to listen, to pray.

Now, we wait for the joy of the Christmas season and the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

How will he come to me? How can I be ready?

How can waiting prepare me?

Waiting is the act of not knowing and trusting in what is to come.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 21

In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”

Luke 1:39-45

THURSDAY DECEMBER 22 Move over the face of My deep, My darkness, My endless restless chaos, And create, O God; Trouble me, Comfort me, Stir me up, And calm me, But do not cease To breathe Your Spirit into My wakening soul.

-Jan Richardson Artist, writer, and ordained minister

THURSDAY DECEMBER 22 What brings you joy in your life?

How can you spread joy to others?

FRIDAY DECEMBER 23

Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!

Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!

Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9

SATURDAY DECEMBER 24 Reflection by Mrs. Woehlcke The magic and mystery of Christmas is rooted in the Incarnation, Emmanuel, “God with Us.” As the Word made flesh, Jesus reveals to us the very best that we can hope to become, and our best self manifests in the humility of a helpless child who still manages to impress both shepherds and kings. This mystery is communicated through the stories we encounter in books, films and TV specials.The stories of Christmas embody the revelation that the humble will be exalted and that the proud will be converted. Charlie Brown and his lowly Christmas tree are finally valued in the last scene of the beloved Christmas special, and Disney’s Small One becomes the donkey that will carry Mary to Bethlehem to give birth to the infant Savior. Scrooge’s visitations bring him to a defining metamorphosis, the Grinch is transformed as he realizes that Christmas is far more than ribbons and bows, and Buddy the Elf eventually melts his father’s heart.

For me, one Christmas TV special gifted me with a fresh sense of the meaning of Christmas and wrought a lasting impact on our family’s celebration of Christmas. In The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a “typical” mom is suddenly thrust into the role of director for her church community’s Christmas pageant. Much to her chagrin, the Herdmans, AKA the “worst kids in the history of the world,” bully their way into the lead roles of the Christmas story. As the Herdmans are introduced to the story of Jesus’ birth, they ask questions that reflect a fresh, firsttime perspective of the story’s true meaning: “where's Social Services?

Shouldn't somebody show Herod who's boss? What do a bunch of shepherds have to do with anything? What if the Wise Men squealed to Herod about the baby Jesus' location? What the heck are Mary and Joseph gonna do with a bunch of fragrant oils--why don't the Wise Men give them something practical, like, you know, a ham?” In a memorable and climatic scene, Imogene, wearing the blue mantle of Mary, comes to an epiphany of her own just as she is about to walk onto the makeshift stage. She embraces the swaddled doll so tenderly that the congregation is convinced that Jesus is being played by a real baby, and the TV audience participates vicariously in the congregation’s renewed and refreshed appreciation of the timeworn Nativity story:

SATURDAY DECEMBER 24 Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.” So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant lying in the manger.When they saw this, they made known the message that had been told them about this child.

All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.

Luke 2: 4-20

SUNDAY DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY

Merry Christmas!

We hope that you are filled with the joy and peace of Christmas as we reach the end of our Advent journey together.

Thank you for spending time in prayer united with the Notre Dame community!

Special thanks to our reflectors and prayer writers.

Compiled by Rachel Swan '23 with help from Ms. Julia Tully '08, Jill Joyce, and Ms. Lisa D'Orazio.