November 30: First Sunday of AdventDecember 5: St. Nicholas Eve (very important that St. Nicholas not go to bed without remembering to do a few things first)
December 6: St. Nicholas Day
December 8: Immaculate Conception (Holy Day!)
December 12: Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 13: St. Lucia
December 17: O Antiphons begin
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If you haven't observed all of these things in the past, do not -- I repeat, do not -- feel pressure to do it all. No one does it all.
You might want to pick one or two new things on which to focus -- and then, have fun with them. These observances are meant to deepen our faith and draw us closer to God. Getting stressed out about how well we do this stuff, or about whether we do it at all, doesn't deepen our faith; it just irritates us.
God doesn't want us to get irritated in preparation for His Son. That would sort of defeat the purpose of the Prince of Peace, wouldn't it? Peaceful and meaningful preparation is key. No panic necessary ... just keep your eyes fixed on the Prince of Peace.
4 comments:
Thanks for these, Karen. We started observing St. Nicholas day a couple of years ago. On St. Nicholas Eve the children write letters to Jesus and leave them in their shoes. Then St. Nicholas takes the letters up to heaven for them and leaves them some candy.
My only problem is that a couple of times St. Nicholas Eve has caught me by surprise - and without candy on hand (quick run out to the convenience store then).
Karen, I just sat down yesterday with my brand new planner and filled in all these important dates, it really makes it seem as if Advent is coming soon! So exciting...
Christine, we've been caught without candy, too. "Where are the CHOCOLATE COINS??" :-)
Jennifer, I feel excited, too. I love Advent!
I wonder how many Catholic children receive chocolate coins with Hebrew writing on it? The only kind our market carries are for Hanukkah. And I would point anyone looking for ideas to Mary Ellen's article in mater et magistra this month.
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