I tend to have an “all or nothing” tendency. So if I blow my diet on Monday night, I’m done for the rest of the week! or if I skip a day or two in my “Read the bible in a year” efforts,I’m likely not to pick it up again until New Year’s Day!
But a couple of years ago I realized that even if I don’t eat perfectly today, there’s always tomorrow, and if I’m using my one year bible, the year can start anytime I want it to!! I found that kind of attitude to be so much more liberating and enjoyable, and it increased my chances of being successful because I was more apt to keep trying!
I think it’s the same way with Advent. If stringing lights, buying presents and wrapping them, or baking has kept you from being as spiritually in the season as you want to be, here are some ways I think might help you salvage it!
1. Go to daily mass. Maybe not daily, but even if you get one extra mass in a week it will make you feel like you have taken a step in the right direction!
2. Get to confession. Nothing says “clean slate” better than… well a clean slate! So get to confession and make a fresh start from there!
3. Pick an online Advent Calendar, breeze through the days you missed and start off with renewed committment tomorrow! Here’s a nice one to follow.
4. Analyze your Christmas preparations. Maybe you’ve done enough already. Remember the first Christmas was in a barren, cold cave. Maybe you have enough decorations, maybe you’ve bought enough gifts. Remember, the gifts that matter the most are ones that come from the heart, not the pocketbook!
5. I find it much easier to really dig into Advent if I don’t put up my Christmas tree too early. The week before Christmas is plenty of time. (My in-laws didn’t put theirs up until Christmas Eve!!!).
This is my mega Advent link list for organization and activities for Advent and will be linked on the side bar for easy access all advent season. Have a good link you want me to include? Just send the link to me at elljazz at gmail dot com.
Advent Calendars:
EWTN
About homeschooling Christmas Calendar
Geneology of Jesus
Teaching mom advent calendar – this is 2008 as they don’t have 2009 up and might not because they are revising the site – but still great info here!
Organized Christmas
Daily e-mails from Christian books through advent
NEW!!! Crafty Crow
Advent reading
Kids literature link for Advent
Father Sanders, History of the Advent Wreath
Advent Adventures
Preparing the Jesse Tree
Jesse Tree ornaments
More Jesse Tree ornaments
* NEW: Advent cubes
Prayers of the season!
Advent prayers
Audrey’s links – Christian (not Catholic) links for the advent and Christmas season
A longer, but interesting read on advent prayers and traditions
Blessing of the creche from USCCB
New!! 12 steps to a holier Advent
Immaculate Conception
Mary Candle
Celebrating the Immaculate Conception
Saints of Advent
St. Nicholas Center
Advent and Christmas Links at Domestic church.com
St. Nicholas
My del.icio.us St. Nicholas Links!
NEW!!! Other saints of Advent!
OAntiphons
O Antiphon craft with altoid box!
More O Antiphon links and crafts.
Lots of O Antiphon links!
Other miscellaneous resources!
Tons of links from Catholic Mom
Lots oLinks from Love2Learn.net
Star of Bethlehem
Saints of the season – links!
All my del.icio.us links for Advent!
Bible movies in the first weeks of Advent
Homemade gifts and ideas via the Common Room!
How to Save Advent
Whether to Homeschool During December or not.
Ruth’s Advent Activities and Links for Children!
Ornaments and daily readings!
Owen’s Prayers for the souls in Purgatory until Christmas!
Catholic Fire- 12 Tips to a Better Advent
ABC Advent saints Christmas tree ornaments
NEW!!!Cuisine of Advent!
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