Family Advent Traditions (via Twitter)

On Twitter, I asked for people’s Advent traditions. Here are some of the best responses.

What are people’s advent traditions? How do you share this season as a family?
(Disclosure: these may be compiled into an article.)

— Fr. Matthew P. Schneider, LC (@FrMatthewLC) November 28, 2018

My family wasn’t big on Advent traditions. We just lit an Advent wreath on Sunday at dinner and maybe a few other days of the week during dinner.

Advent Wreaths and Calendars

Advent Wreaths are popular but this family goes a little further.

We have an Advent Wreath and prayer book and gather in the evening for special Advent reflections. We also have an Advent calendar and the kids take turns opening the doors. We also do all the special days, St Nicolas, St Lucy, Immaculate Conception etc.

— Lisa Ann (@lisaspeltz4) November 28, 2018

Instead of buying an Advent calendar, this family makes ornaments each day.

Some years the kids and I make daily ornaments that correspond to our daily devotions. Very similar to Jesse tree but we use Truth In The Tinsel program.

The Jesus storybook bible also has 24 stories of that lead up to and includes Jesus’ birth. Each one points to Jesus.

— Laura O’Rourke (@LauraORourke) November 29, 2018

This mom makes her own pouches to be a kind of Advent calendar for her family.

I will make hanging prayer pouches for each day of advent. Each day, everyone in the family will write their favourite Bible verse, and their prayer for others in the family. Also, one more prayer will be added into each pouch daily for peace, health, priests, the sick. etc.

— Catholic (Re)Discovery (@catholicdisco) November 29, 2018

Here’s a reverse Advent calendar as an act of charity.

No daily chocolates here. Instead we do reverse Advent � Love that I discovered this idea last year! ☺️ So glad I got my shopping for charity, family & friend’s gifts on Black Friday so I can focus on preparing my heart for the coming of my Lord�� #Expectation #Joy pic.twitter.com/sNMvGIv3sB

— Strive for Sanctity (@KellyDomanAFC) December 2, 2018

Some even made a suggested ist for the reverse Advent calendar.

I liked it too. Here’s a graphic I found to add some clarity. pic.twitter.com/uum3HmS23D

— KellyAnn Carpentier (@CarpentierKA) December 2, 2018

Stories and Prayers

This family has daily scripture readings and prayers.

My family, including wife, children, & grandparents, pray & read scripture weekly with advent wreath. We use different advent devotional each year to guide us. We will sometimes have dinner as well.

— Jake G. (@ParrainJake) November 28, 2018

Two families said they read these books.

We have an advent wreath and we read these books together pic.twitter.com/O99ew7zXLA

— Random Catholic Chick (@Catholic_Chick1) November 28, 2018

This family has a star to remind them to pray.

My tradition has been to talk about all the wonderful things we will be doing and not following through. But, this is my year!!! One tradition I’m excited to start with the kids is “Follow the Golden Star.” https://t.co/OyQCkXhOwI pic.twitter.com/iL5Bi0L5u3

— Virginia (@GloryslyDifrent) November 28, 2018

Little Good Deeds or Sacrifices

This family has a sacrifice jar.

Put a small container at the house entrance for children to fill with marbles or cotton balls for every good deed they did…
Then wrap it as a present for them to present to Baby Jesus in the “Nacimiento” on Christmas night.

— Mujer Catolic Woman (@mujer_catolica) November 28, 2018

This family does a little deed each day.

We are each assigned a sheep from the nativity, and placed far away from manger. Gather at the end of each day and move our sheep a bit closer for each good deed done in the day.

— Ivan Perez (@ivanrperez92) November 28, 2018

Parties

In the Mexican tradition, there is a specific party called a Posada during Advent.

My Mexican family participates in Posadas, a sort of novena b4 christmas with songs + processions about Joseph and Mary looking for a place to give birth, plus hot spiked punch, piñatas and candy.

— Mercedes Valero (@evercalmedrose) November 29, 2018

Posadas! pic.twitter.com/z4oiR7hkZu

— Alondra Jiménez (@alondra_here) November 28, 2018

The Filipinos have something similar called “Simbang Gabi.”

In the Philippines and even here in Canada, my family and I try to attend the “Simbang Gabi” or the dawn masses that start 9 days before Christmas. Mass at 5am is lit and then yummy Filipino breakfast food after!!

— Racine Senining (@chin06) November 28, 2018

I don’t know which you want to do but hopefully one or more of these helps you live Advent well.