Author by : Alice Seidel

Seasons come and seasons go. In this ever-changing
world we live in, there is one thing that never changes.
As women, we are forever busy.

No matter what time of year it is, busy-ness seems to
be our call-sign. For all the good being busy affords us,
if we are not careful, we can simply get caught up in life’s
seasons and not pay them too much attention.

Every time of year has its special quality; many
holidays and months become special to us with each passing
year. Birthdays and vacations mean so much to us; there are
always moments to celebrate. Yet, there is one time of year
which, to me, is unmatched by any other.

That time is Advent. My favorite time of year. In
these four short weeks leading up to Christmas there is a
time to reconnect with ourselves as women, and with our
families, with our traditions, and with our homes. Advent
is so much a family time, but because of all the frenzy we
have created for ourselves, what with shopping, baking,
wrapping, decorating, and all the activities surrounding
Christmas, oftentimes, Advent passes quietly un-noticed.

Yet, it is in the quiet that we find Advent. That’s
the reason it is special to me, because it’s essence is in
the waiting. In order to fully immerse ourselves in this
essence, this beauty, we do indeed, need to take a good
hard look at all our busy-ness and to come to the very
center of Advent.

That center is Mary, our Blessed Mother. We must
listen as Mary listened, and we must be open to all the
joys that this holy season grants to us, through Mary’s
example. After all, if Mary had not listened, and
listened well,would we even have Christmas to celebrate?

What, then, can we really do to bring Advent into our
homes? First, we must listen as Mary did, and, secondly, in
so doing, we will be open to the joys of this season. For
it is in recognizing Advent, that we as faithful members of
Christ’s church renew our desire for his second coming.

Celebrating the traditions of Advent is so very easy
to do! Many time-honored practices can be incorporated
into our daily lives; so many ways in which to focus our
energy upon the One whom we are truly awaiting in the
Christmas season.

One of my most prized possessions is an old Advent
calendar, which I have had since I was a child. Although
the poem that goes along with it has long since
disappeared, and a few of the windows show signs of age,
this calendar takes center-stage on my kitchen hutch every year!
Engage your children in opening the windows every day as you include
a special reading or prayer that they can recite.

Make a Mary candle. Any white or cream-colored
pillar candle will do. Paint in red, the “Chi-Rho” symbol, a large
“P” with a small “x” drawn through its stem onto the candle.
Cover the candle with blue and white handkerchiefs, symbolizing
Mary carrying Jesus in her womb. Uncover your Mary candle and
keep it lit during meal times, and explain that by lighting our
candle,we are waiting for the birth of Jesus, who is the
Light of the World.

Have an empty manger. Explain to your family that
all acts of kindness or sacrifice done in honor of the
Baby Jesus as a birthday present, will result in them receiving
a piece of straw, which can be placed in the manger. Then, on Christmas
morning, the baby Jesus is placed there, so the manger needs to be as
“comfortable” as possible! In so doing, you can explain
how Jesus is the most special gift to the whole world at Christmas, and
how He truly is the reason for the season.

Spend a whole day Christmas baking. Decide on some
special recipes, maybe a few that have been passed down to
you,and gather the children in the kitchen for some of
life’s sweetest memories! Along with spilt flour and sugar, you
will always have a tender interlude of cookies and breads that
were made with love! And the best part of this, is that your family
will always remember as well!

There is a beautiful Mexican tradition, called the
“Posadas” which takes place from December 16 to the 24th.
Gathering in the living room in front of the creche or
manger, the father leads his family in reciting a rosary. Then most
of the family takes part in a candlelight procession through the
home, with two children carrying the statues of Jesus and Mary.
Some family members remain in the living room to recite the
litany of the Blessed Virgin, while those in the procession respond from
wherever they are in the home to each verse, “Pray for us.”

The little procession stops at each door in their
home, asking to be admitted, as the Holy Family searched
for shelter a long, long time ago. Only the last door will
be open to them, the door to the room where the procession began.
Upon returning once again to the living room, the statues are
placed in the manger again, and hymns are sung.

What beautiful little traditions to introduce to our
homes and to our families! For it is in giving of these
little things, that will result in wonderful impressions
for our children to pass on in time. It is in the “little things”
that most of life’s precious memories are made.

“Besides this you know what hour it is, how it is
full time now for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is
nearer to us now than when we first believed;” Rom 13:11.

In Advent, in our “new year”, let us all grow closer to
Jesus by drawing closer to Mary, by giving to our
families; not just in our time and in our endeavors, but
through our example and in our love.

Through the example of Mary, and through Mary’s love,
we have been given the greatest gift of all. So, who
better to listen to, if not our Mother.

[tags]advent, christmas, holidays, seasons[/tags]

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