November 28, 2017 // Special

A simple plan for the best Advent ever

Theresa Thomas

Everyday Catholic

Advent is just around the corner, and many people feel like it sneaks up on them — perhaps catching them by surprise. In the busyness of this life, what can a person do to prepare well without overwhelming?

It’s not too late. Here are some ideas to get you started on having the best Advent ever.

Kick off Advent with confession

Start with a good examination of conscience. One can be found on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website. Google it: It’s gold. It’s great for pondering one’s faults and for encouraging a person to make the effort to receive this sacrament (yes, this week), so that the channel of graces can pour in, and a person is then ready for the next Advent step.

Make a trip to the Catholic bookstore

Get a good Bible that you won’t be afraid to mark up. Then read. Underline, circle, asterisk. Use tabs. Mark in some way what passages are most meaningful. Consider starting with the New Testament and committing to reading one of the Gospels. One of St. Paul’s Letters, or hit the Old Testament by going to Proverbs, Sirach or the Psalms. Set aside 10 minutes a day to privately immerse yourself in God’s word. God speaks to His children through His word, if you set aside time for Him.

While at the bookstore, pick up some Advent candles and a wreath. It will probably have an Advent devotion book as well. If not, no worries. Dedicate each of the four weeks of Advent to a different cardinal virtue.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Four virtues play a pivotal role and accordingly are called “cardinal”; all the others are grouped around them. They are: prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance . . .” (1805). Pondering the virtues as a family group is a great way to prepare for Jesus’ birth and grow in holiness (and build bonds) within the home.

Here’s how to do this: After the family gathers for dinner each night, the father lights the candle and reads one of the passages suggested below. Family discussion can follow.

Week One: Prudence

“Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; “the prudent man looks where he is going.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1806). Where we are going in Advent is toward Christmas and preparing our hearts for Christ. The best gift we can give Christ is the cultivation of goodness and the purity of our souls.

Some short readings related to prudence include the following: Proverbs 10:19, Amos 5:13, Proverbs 12:16, Proverbs 15:5, Proverbs 22:3, Luke 14: 28-32, James 3:5-8.

After the father does a reading, he can lead the family in discussion of the ways each person practiced (or was challenged by) prudence that day. What were the circumstances? How difficult was it? Did he fail and need to try again or was he successful in overcoming temptation? Dad might start by sharing an instance himself. For example, “I was driving to work today and a person in a car cut in front of me rudely. I was tempted to gesture angrily but I took a deep breath and said a quick prayer for the person instead.” Or, “I took a phone call from an angry customer who swore at me. I was tempted to return harsh words but instead I kept silent until I could say what I needed to in the right manner.” He may explain how silence really can be golden, and that a prudent man thinks before speaking.

Pondering the responses to events of the day serves as a mini examination of conscience with resolve to do better the next time. Having the father lead the family establishes his authority with the children and makes it easier for other family members to share. The exercise itself is also an example of prudence, whereby actions of the day are carefully and thoughtfully considered.

Week Two: Justice

“Justice is the moral virtue that consists in the constant and firm will to give their due to God and neighbor. Justice toward God is called the “virtue of religion.” Justice toward men disposes one to respect the rights of each and to establish in human relationships the harmony that promotes equity with regard to persons and to the common good. The just man, often mentioned in the sacred Scriptures, is distinguished by habitual right thinking and the uprightness of his conduct toward his neighbor.” (CCC1807)

Bible quotes related to justice to be read and discussed each night include: Proverbs 21:15, Psalm 37:27-29, Isaiah 61:8-9, Luke 18:1-8, Isaiah 1:17, Isiah 51:4-5, Deuteronomy 16:20. Things to discuss: What is the connection between justice and charity? What is meant by, “Character is demonstrated by how a person acts when no one is looking”?

Week Three: Fortitude

Fortitude is the moral virtue that ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of the good. It strengthens the resolve to resist temptations and to overcome obstacles in the moral life. The virtue of fortitude enables one to conquer fear, even fear of death, and to face trials and persecutions. (CCC 1808)

This week, the Advent readings each night are not from the Bible, but about the saints. Each night a different short saint story will be read. Google summaries of these stories, or refer to a saint book that may be in the home. Choose saints in whom you are interested, perhaps letting each member of the family select. Saints who demonstrated particular fortitude include St. Paul, St. Sebastian, St. Joseph, St. Francis of Assisi, St. George, St. Thomas A. Becket, St. Thomas More, St. Joan of Arc, St. Clare and St. Monica. Discussion each night this week during the lighting of the Advent candle can be about how each of these saints demonstrated the virtue of fortitude, and how the family can, too, in daily life.

Week Four: Temperance

Temperance is the moral virtue that moderates the attraction of pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures the will’s mastery over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable.

What are the pleasures we must moderate daily? Eating and drinking obviously come to mind, but also what about excess recreation, time on social media, procrastinating daily duties?

Bible quotes related to temperance to read each night this week and briefly talk about include: Proverbs 23:20, Proverbs 25:28, Proverbs 25:16, Titus 2:3, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Romans 6:12.

These readings are short. They don’t take much to read, but they are pack full of wisdom to ponder. Depending on the ages of the children, it might be appropriate to ask them to memorize one of these quotes a day or week.

Integrate the Advent feast days into family life

Prominent ones include the feast of St. Nicholas (Dec. 6), feast of the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), and the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12).

What a person doesn’t do is as important as what he does to this Advent. We should not select activities that stress us out. We should not over plan beyond realistic schedules and abilities. We should aim for quality of preparation, not accomplishing every suggestion we’ve read. We should focus on becoming rather than doing. We train ourselves in virtue and model that to those around us.

Following this simple plan, families can grow in holiness in preparation for Christmas Day. They will then be ready on Dec. 25 to celebrate the Savior’s birth with the best gift that anyone can give — their sincere and best selves to God and others.