Today, December 2, 2012 marks the first day of the liturgical year in the Catholic Church with this first Sunday of Advent.  Did you know the word Advent is from the Latin word advenio, meaning "to come"?

During this time of preparation for the Christ Child to come into our hearts and homes on Christmas Day, His birthday, there are so many fun and creative ways to enjoy the Advent season and focus on the reason for the season vs. the hustle and bustle of what our secular world tries to entice us with.... spending money and getting gifts vs. giving our time, talent, and treasures. 


Pictured is our Advent tree that goes up before our Christmas tree. It is decorated with violet Christmas ball ornaments and on the bottom right corner of the photo is a stack of Christmas books that I wrapped in purple paper.  Each night during Advent our children take turns opening a book and we read it as a family.  This has been a favorite Advent tradition for several years now for our family.

Last year I wrote a post with other Advent traditions our family does including the lighting of our Advent wreath, the Jesse Tree, books we read, a Family Fun Bucket Tradition and more! You can read more of how our family prepares HERE, where I also link up with other bloggers who share their Advent traditions also. 
 
Raising and Teaching Little Saints has an awesome Colossal Set of Resources for Advent that you can read about HERE.

There are so many wonderful ways to prepare our hearts and homes for the birthday of Christ! I pray my links will inspire you to try one or two new traditions.

Here's a great 1 minute video about what Advent is not and what Advent is!



May you have a blessed Advent season as we remember that Jesus is the reason for the season!