Comments on: Advent anxiety – what do I do? – Part I http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/11/29/advent-anxiety-what-do-i-do-part Seek Him - Find Him - Follow Him Wed, 08 Sep 2010 18:00:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Karrie Reifschneider http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/11/29/advent-anxiety-what-do-i-do-part/comment-page-1#comment-585 Karrie Reifschneider Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:24:54 +0000 http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/?p=2098#comment-585 During Advent our family learns a new prayer, as our gift to Jesus. On Christmas morning, we unwrap baby Jesus (he's the first gift opened on Christmas morning), lay him in the manger, sing Happy Birthday to Him and then pray our prayer that we practiced during Advent. It's a great way to keep us focused on the true meaning of Christmas. During Advent our family learns a new prayer, as our gift to Jesus. On Christmas morning, we unwrap baby Jesus (he’s the first gift opened on Christmas morning), lay him in the manger, sing Happy Birthday to Him and then pray our prayer that we practiced during Advent. It’s a great way to keep us focused on the true meaning of Christmas.

]]> By: Mary Ann Lester http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/11/29/advent-anxiety-what-do-i-do-part/comment-page-1#comment-560 Mary Ann Lester Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:44:35 +0000 http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/?p=2098#comment-560 Father John, Your article has sparked a flame in my heart to try to embrace and live my Catholic Faith..Over the years the effects of worldliness and fragmentation of family life and uninvolvement in the Liturgical life of the church have developed a loneliness and anxiety of being separated from my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I anticipate every step of this Advent Journey. You are truly a blessing from God! Father John, Your article has sparked a flame in my heart to try to embrace and live my Catholic Faith..Over the years the effects of worldliness and fragmentation of family life and uninvolvement in the Liturgical life of the church have developed a loneliness and anxiety of being separated from my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I anticipate every step of this Advent Journey. You are truly a blessing from God!

]]> By: Mary http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2009/11/29/advent-anxiety-what-do-i-do-part/comment-page-1#comment-553 Mary Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:19:35 +0000 http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/?p=2098#comment-553 Our family has a couple of traditions that help us to be more aware of the Advent Season. Our Advent wreath is prominently displayed in our kitchen, and each evening before our family meal, we pray a brief Advent prayer as we light the candle. The candle(s) remain lit through the meal. Another tradition (that my children have now outgrown) is to fashion a small wooden "crib" for the baby Jesus. (Sticks, twigs, or even popsicle sticks can be used). Each night before family prayers, the children are encouraged to reflect back on their day, and see if they did something "good" for Baby Jesus. If so, they may put a cotton ball in the crib. The goal is to get enough cotton balls so that Baby Jesus has a soft crib to lay in when He comes. In our family, we make an effort to not listen to Christmas music (at home or in the car) or set up our Christmas decorations until just before Christmas Day. For us, it heightens the anticipation and waiting and adds to the joy of our celebration on Christmas Day and through the Christmas season. In recent years, we are now making a concerted effort to celebrate 12 days of Christmas--and are definitely enjoying it! Our family has a couple of traditions that help us to be more aware of the Advent Season. Our Advent wreath is prominently displayed in our kitchen, and each evening before our family meal, we pray a brief Advent prayer as we light the candle. The candle(s) remain lit through the meal. Another tradition (that my children have now outgrown) is to fashion a small wooden “crib” for the baby Jesus. (Sticks, twigs, or even popsicle sticks can be used). Each night before family prayers, the children are encouraged to reflect back on their day, and see if they did something “good” for Baby Jesus. If so, they may put a cotton ball in the crib. The goal is to get enough cotton balls so that Baby Jesus has a soft crib to lay in when He comes.

In our family, we make an effort to not listen to Christmas music (at home or in the car) or set up our Christmas decorations until just before Christmas Day. For us, it heightens the anticipation and waiting and adds to the joy of our celebration on Christmas Day and through the Christmas season. In recent years, we are now making a concerted effort to celebrate 12 days of Christmas–and are definitely enjoying it!

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