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Advent Activities
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation, both for the birth of Christ at Christmas and for His Second Coming, at the end of time. Over the centuries, the Church has developed Advent activities that help to keep us focused on renewing our spiritual life. Learn about the Advent wreath and other Advent prayers, and find Scripture readings for every day of Advent.
The Season of Advent in the Catholic Church
Advent is a period of preparation before Christmas. Learn more about the season of Advent in the Catholic Church.
Celebrating Advent
These activities and devotions can aid us in celebrating Advent as it is meant to be celebrated so that, when Christmas arrives, we can greet Christ with joy.
What Is an Advent Wreath?
The Advent wreath is a popular Advent custom that originated in Germany.
Preparing for Christmas With the Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is a popular Advent custom that originated in Germany. Learn more about the history of the Advent wreath and how to incorporate it into your celebration of Advent.
How to Make an Advent Wreath
Find complete instructions for making your own Advent wreath and make this custom part of your Advent celebration.
Homemade Advent Wreaths - Pictures and Stories
Pictures of homemade Advent wreaths submitted by readers of the About.com GuideSite to Catholicism. Use them to spark your own ideas for homemade Advent wreaths!See submissions
Bless an Advent Wreath
Find complete instructions on how to bless your Advent wreath at the beginning of Advent.
Light the Advent Wreath
Complete instructions on how to light the Advent wreath, with links to Advent wreath prayers.
Advent Wreath Prayer for the First Week of Advent
In our prayer for the Advent wreath for the first week of Advent, we ask Christ to come, to set us free from our sins and from the punishment that we deserve. He is our salvation.
Advent Wreath Prayer for the Second Week of Advent
In this prayer for the Advent wreath for the second week of Advent, we ask Christ to move us to action, so that we can prepare ourselves for His coming at Christmas.
Advent Wreath Prayer for the Third Week of Advent
In the prayer for the Advent wreath for the third week of Advent, we anticipate Christmas, and so we ask Christ to grant us His grace that we might be prepared for welcoming His Birth.
Advent Wreath Prayer for the Fourth Week of Advent
In our Advent wreath prayer for the fourth and final week of Advent, we ask Christ to forgive us for our sins and, through His grace, to create us anew when He comes.
Jesse Tree Advent Custom
The Jesse Tree is a unique Advent tree that can be very useful and fun for teaching children about the Bible at Christmas time.