Scripture
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
— Jeremiah 33:14
Reflection
Nothing quite symbolizes the waiting that is a mark of Advent like the Advent wreath. My kids revel in marking off the weeks by lighting the four candles. As a society, we are not really accustomed to waiting for things. Everything seems to be fast—fast food, on-demand television, and instant communication—thanks to smart phones and the Internet. But Advent reminds us that, in time, good things will come. Let’s enjoy the wait.
Talk Together
What was the best thing you ever had to wait for?
Prayer
Dear Lord, remind us to slow down and soak up the beauty of this season. Help us to not lose focus on the true meaning of these coming weeks.
Activity
Does your family have an Advent wreath? If so, now is the time to get it out and set it up. If not, you can make one easily. Sometimes, parishes hold Advent wreath–making events. If your parish does not, you can purchase a wreath form made of wire or Styrofoam and fill it out with real or artificial evergreen branches. Don’t have a form? Don’t worry. Gather some evergreen branches and lay them in a circle around the candles. You will need three purple candles and one pink candle, but even that isn’t mandatory. Find white candles and tie purple and pink ribbon around them. The important thing is to have something that helps your family mark the time through Advent.
