At this holy season, the Church proclaims this beautiful Scripture: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of doom, a light has shone....For unto us a child is born, a Son is given; upon his shoulder shall dominion rest. They shall name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero...Prince of Peace. His dominion shall be vast and forever peaceful….” (Isaiah 9:1-6)

Beautiful Scriptures like this are proclaimed throughout the Advent and Christmas seasons in our parish churches; also in our homes when we bless and light the Advent wreath and the Christmas tree or when we open the Advent calendar or gaze upon the Nativity scene. Such are our Advent customs which make this season a favorite for many. These practices make prayer interesting even for children.

The Advent calendar, the wreath, the creche, and the blessings of them, are called “sacramentals”— just as rosaries, medals, holy water, statues, stations of the cross, processions, etc., are sacramentals. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Nos. 1667-1679) speaks of them as a “popular devotion among the faithful,” “an expression of piety” at which “laypeople may preside.” Thus, this issue of The Catholic Herald (on this page) has provided for your use the blessings of the Advent wreath, the Christmas tree and your Nativity set.

By now the first two candles of the Advent wreath will already have been lit at your local parish church and, probably, at home, too. If you do not have an Advent wreath, it is not too late to make one. There are three purple candles and one pink, the latter being lit during the third week of Advent, symbolizing that our time of anticipation of Christ’s coming at Christmas, is half finished. The wreath is often lit before the family says “Grace before Meals” or along with some other family prayer each day during Advent.

The Advent calendar is another way to make prayer an enjoyable experience for children. It usually consists of a picture of the Birth of Jesus which provides a window to be opened each day, beginning on the first Sunday of Advent. Behind the window is a spiritual message, a biblical quote or an explanation of the saint of the day.

Probably the most popular Advent-Christmas custom is the Christmas tree. This tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. The precursor of the Christmas tree — the “Jesse Tree” — was decorated with biblical symbols, especially those which foretold the coming of the Messiah. This was a way to teach and celebrate that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David and the Israelites — that one of his descendants would reign on David’s throne forever. “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse; a bud shall blossom. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him…” (Is 11:1) David’s role foreshadowed Jesus’ much more important role as Messiah. (Today’s Christmas tree ornaments are the descendants of the various biblical symbols of the Jesse Tree. Jesse was the father of David.)

The star was placed on top of the tree as a symbol of Christ, the Divine king, the “Morning Star,” the Light of the Nations. While the custom of the tree was centuries old, in 16th century Germany, they began to attach and light candle stubs at the ends of the tree’s branches. My mother told of how this was still the custom in her family when she was a child. It was dangerous, and they had to watch the tree carefully whenever the candles were lit. Long since, of course, the candles have been replaced by electric lights.

Another very common Advent-Christmas custom is the “creche” or Nativity set. It was St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th century who started this custom. It is so easy to place the “Christmas Crib” in a prominent place in the home. It becomes a focal point for family prayer during this holy season. It also provides natural opportunities for teaching young children about Jesus.

There is another Advent sacramental much less known by people, but which many would find quite beautiful. These are the “O Antifons,” a seven-day Christmas “novena,” beginning on Dec. 17. Each day celebrates a messianic title of Jesus. To discover them, all one has to do is sing “O Come Emmanuel,” as each stanza begins with a messianic title of Christ: “O Wisdom” (17th); “O Lord of Might” (18th); “O Flower of Jesse’s Stem” (19th); “O Key of David” (20th); “O Radiant Dawn” (21st); “O Desire of Nations” (22nd); “O Emmanuel” (23rd). Then, Christmas begins on the 24th with the vigil Mass of Christmas Eve.

May Advent be a prayerful time, a time of welcoming Jesus more fully into our hearts and homes. May the grace of Christmas bring the love of the Messiah Savior into our lives and our world. May the New Year be one of peace, filled with the laughter of family and the joy of our Infant Savior, the Prince of Peace.

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