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Advent Planner 2023

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The Church commences, on this day, to contemplate the coming of the Redeemer, and with the prophets to long for Him; during the entire season of Advent she unites her prayers with their sighs, in order to awaken in her children also the desire for the grace of the Redeemer; above all to move them to true penance for their sins, because these are the greatest obstacles in the path of that gracious Advent; therefore she prays at the Introit of the day’s Mass: “To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded. Show me, O Lord, Thy ways, and teach me Thy paths.” (Ps.XXIVJ

Goffine’s Devout Instruction, Imprimatur 1880

The first Sunday in Advent is December 3 this year. It is the first day of the Ecclesiastical Year and the beginning of the holy season of Advent.

Some observe St. Martin’s Lent as the preparatory period for Advent as was once done. It is considered a time to prepare for the preparatory period of Advent in which we prepare for the ultimate feast.

Whatever date you opt to begin your Advent observance, having a plan and set resources can be very helpful. Our Advent planner can be used as a stand-alone Advent resource, as a framework for you to lay out your own Advent program, or as a combination of both.

This Advent Planner includes printables that will help you keep track of your resolutions and plan throughout the Advent season, a “mini Lent.” I’ve also included the basic framework of our very simple Family Advent Plans with links to meditations, audio, Jesse Tree reflections, read-aloud stories for children, and videos.

This planner uses the Liturgical Calendar based on the most traditional form of the Roman Rite, before changes of 1950, 1956, 1960, and 1962. It corresponds to the fully traditional version of the Missale Romanum and the Breviarium Romanum in four volumes.

This resource is a labor of love. But well worth it as it is something that we use in our home to help us live out the Faith and tend to our Rule of Life within the Advent season.

May we restore our hearts & our children to Christ through every means we can.

In Christo Rege,

Get Your Advent Planner Now

ADVENT PLANNER Includes:

  • Advent Plan to document your resolutions – 2 pgs
  • Advent Examination for the duration of Advent 2022 – 1 pg
  • Advent Weekly Log to track resolutions – 4 pgs
  • Liturgical Planner | Advent Feastday Planner – printed and used to help you plan for holy days & feastdays in the Advent season – 1 pg
  • Advent & Christmas Liturgical Calendar 2023 – list form for easy reference.  2 pgs – 4 pages per sheet
  • Advent Calendar 2023 – blank to use as needed – 2 pgs
  • Family Advent Plans 2023 – This is what we use for a reference for our basic Advent plans – helping to ensure that we follow the liturgical calendar and tend to our devotions while keeping things in order.  It includes links to FREE meditations, audio, Jesse Tree reflections, and read-aloud stories & videos for children. – 15 pgs

Advent Planner

by Filed Under: Advent, Advent Planner, Prints 1 Comment

Four weeks of Advent are scarcely enough to “prepare the way of the Lord” for His coming to us as King. However, if we have used that season as a preparation, we are ready now to receive the Redeemer who will deliver us from sin in answer to our requests. Christ’s coming must be, not a lovely idyll or a pastoral scene, but a reality accomplished in our lives and our children’s. Forty days of rejoicing are not too long a celebration for so great an event. –

Advent and Christmas in a Catholic Home, Imprimatur 1950

This Advent Planner includes printables that will help you keep track of your resolutions and plan throughout the Advent season, a “mini Lent.” I’ve also included the basic framework of our very simple Family Advent Plans.

This resource is a labor of love. But well worth it as it is something that we use in our home to help us live out the Faith and tend to our Rule of Life within the Advent season.

The Advent Planner Includes:

  • Advent Plan to document your resolutions – 2 pgs
  • Advent Examination for the duration of Advent 2022 – 1 pg
  • Advent Weekly Log to track resolutions – 4 pgs
  • Liturgical Planner | Advent Feastday Planner – printed and used to help you plan for holy days & feastdays in the Advent season – 1 pg
  • Advent Calendar 2022 – list form for easy reference.  2 pages – 4 pages per sheet
  • Family Advent Plans 2022 – This is what we use for a reference for our basic Advent plans – helping to ensure that we follow the liturgical calendar and tend to our devotions while keeping things in order.  – 15 pgs

May we restore our hearts & our children to Christ through every means we can.

In Christo Rege,

Lena

An Advent PSA & Ways to Keep it Simple

by Filed Under: 11 November, Advent, Advent Planner, Christkindl, Christmas Novena, Jesse Tree 1 Comment

When you’re out shopping for Thanksgiving Day, digging in your garage for your decorations, or just kicking your feet up for a much-needed break — remember to pick up the necessary items for any of the traditions that you’re seeking to observe this Advent.

This is an Advent Calendar (in list form) for 2022. The current year Advent Calendar is included in Advent Planner.

Help your children discern their Advent Resolutions or discern as a family.

You can print out a blank Advent plan to record the family plans or each family member can have their own. I usually print 4 per child (2 pages/sheet) to cover the entire Advent season (in most years).

Advent Wreath — candles (they need not be purple and pink), wreath, and you can print out the prayers from here.

Advent/Christmas candles for your home window. I opted for battery-operated candles covered in real wax that can be controlled by remote. They were left over from our daughter’s wedding. If you don’t know about this tradition, you can read more here. I’ve also used a stick-candle-like option.

Christkindl cards for all those children, family, or friends that will be participating in this lovely tradition to serve & keep Christ at the center of the season.

Christmas Novena prayer cards or sheets are also helpful to have handy ahead of time. The actual devotion starts on Nov. 30, a day after the start of Advent this year. Be certain to get beads if you plan on making a Chaplet or ribbon if you perfected Novena lacing cards.

Jesse Tree — get a tree to use, branch, or twine to tack up to the wall. Ornament hooks or clothespins are needed. If you don’t have ornaments on hand, print out a simple set for free and follow along with an easy guide. A Bible is a must even if you have the readings.

Jesse Tree Devotional with Traditional Catholic Reflections & Scripture from the Douay Rheims Bible & Cut/Color Jesse Tree Ornaments

Jesse Tree Readings from the New Catholic Picture Bible – Shower of Roses

Jesse Tree Schedule for the Year and printable Jesse Tree Ornaments – Holy Heroes

Gather your manger (box cutout or wood crafted) and straw for the Christ Child. Each child or family member can place a prince of straw or paper into the manger when an act of service or kindness is done. This serves as a great visual for children regarding how their small acts add up to something grand. It also serves to grow joyful anticipation for the glorious season to come.

Other items to consider:

  • Spiritual reading & Pray the Divine Office
  • Feastday goodies — Refer to the Advent Calendar to select which feasts you want to celebrate in a special way. Below are a few to consider.
    • Presentation of the BVM – Nov. 21 — Marian feastday go-to
    • St. Nicholas – Dec. 6 — Cuties, chocolate coins, socks, a book, candy canes, St. Nicholas chocolates…
    • Immaculate Conception of the BCM – Dec. 8 — Holy Day & Marian feastday go-to
    • St. Lucy – Dec. 13 — crown, candles, tea, and all the simple sweet breakfast fixings.Hot cocoa as you take your family to see the lights.
    • Our Lady of Guadalupe – Dec. 12 — Mexican dinner or pastries
  • Advent book basket — You do not need to have anything grand. You can select one good book this year and read it throughout Advent or four and rotate one for each week. You could also just select a few titles from your bookshelves or at the thrift store that will help your children grow in their Faith and life of Jesus.
  • Consider fasting and abstinence when meal planning. Advent was traditionally observed as a “Mini-Lent.” There are also Ember Days in Advent which are traditional days of fast and abstinence.

You can check out this post if you have more questions or desire additional resources.

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