Advent Resources 2023
To help you and your families celebrate Advent well this year, we have put together the best resources we could find. We even categorized for an easy search.
We are once again excited to share a new Advent poster!
This year’s poster is available in two varieties:
full color or as a black & white coloring page!
Full color: English | Spanish
Black & White Coloring Page: English | Spanish
General Resources
Advent Resources from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Various seasonal resources from the USCCB, including the Blessing of Advent Wreaths and Christmas Trees, Blessing of a Christmas Manger or Nativity Scene, Lectio Divina for Advent, Liturgical Notes on Advent, and the ‘O Antiphons’ of Advent.
Advent Resources from Loyola Press
General information about the Advent season, a retreat, activities suitable for different grade levels, and a video reflection on a work of art inspired by the Sunday Scriptures.
Advent: A Light Shines in the Darkness
From Ablaze Family Ministries, Advent resources for parishes to host families “in a way that Connects, Captivates, and Catechizes as they prepare for Christmas together” including an audio presentation and downloadable documents.
Seasonal Inspiration and Resources for Catholics
Including “Praying the O Antiphons”, “Sounds of Advent”, “Advent’s Quiet Grace”, “A Time for Watching & Waiting”, “Our Lady of Guadalupe”, along with a few items on celebrating St. Nicholas’ Day. Courtesy of Sadlier Religion.
Advent Conspiracy
A site dedicated to helping people avoid the consumerism of the Advent season and to focus on the true meaning of the season. A great video is embedded on the site that makes the point! Ecumenical.
Advent Resources from the Catholic Apostolate Center
This resource page includes SonRise Morning audio interviews, videos, a brief history of Advent, and more.
The Advent Season
A detailed summary of the season of Advent with a list of suggested Advent music from the Catholic Lectionary Website.
The Returning
A video musical reflection on preparing for Jesus’ coming in glory. Suitable for teens through adults.
Jesse Tree reflections
Reflections on the Old Testament figures of the Jesse tree for each day of Advent. From Loyola Press.
Advent Resources from IgnatianSpirituality.com
Ignatian contemplation and reflective prayer can encourage us in the season of Advent; check out these Advent resources in the tradition of Ignatian spirituality.
Advent Resources from the Jesuit Institute
Various videos, articles, and Advent wreath blessings from the Jesuit Institute.
Advent & Christmas Prayers & Reflections
Daily prayers and reflections to help you enter into the beauty and splendor of this glorious season.
Pop-Up Catechesis: Advent Hope
In this episode of Pop-Up Catechesis, Joe Paprocki explores the joyful season of Advent.
Practical Advent Ideas
A number of Advent ideas to shine the light of Christ this season.
Journey Joyfully
Check out the variety of Advent resources from Saint Mary’s Press: Advent calendars, community building and outreach ideas, Scripture activities, prayers, and more.
Calendars
Advent Calendar and Prayers
A number of prayers for the season as well as an online Advent calendar from Catholic Relief Services.
Advent Calendar 2023
From Sadlier, a 2023 Advent calendar as well as other seasonal activities.
Family
Advent Reflection Guides
Advent reflection guides with reflections for the Sundays of Advent and Christmas season, from Maryknoll.
Advent in an Envelope
A set of Jesse Tree ornaments and an accompanying devotional to help families practice Advent at home.
Advent Prayers for Families
Download and print out a series of Advent Prayers for families from Sadlier Religion.
Actively Waiting for Advent – Free Prayer Packet
Free prayer resources from Joe Paprocki of Loyola Press
Strong Catholic Family Faith: Advent
Curated Advent resources for families and parishes
Advent and Christmas Crafts and Activities for Kids
A variety of Advent activities for children and families from Catholic Icing
Praying Advent
Articles on Advent preparation, family prayers, and other resources from Creighton University’s Online Ministries.
Teens
Advent in 2 Minutes
A quick, two-minute video from Busted Halo that explains why we celebrate Advent and wait to celebrate Christmas, courtesy of St. Mary’s Press.
Advent ideas and resources
St. Mary’s Press webpage with videos and suggestions for breaking open the Advent Season with teens.
Adults
Advent HD (Catholic Online via YouTube)
The word Advent comes from the Latin word meaning “coming”. The Lord is coming and we reflect during the Advent Season on his coming. This video from Catholic Online is a broad overview of the season’s background, symbolism, and traditions.
Making Advent a more holy season
A Catholic youth minister gives tips to make the season of Advent a more spiritual experience in this Catholic News Service video.
Bishop Robert Barron on the Spirituality of Advent
In this video from the series from Wordonfire.org, Bishop Barron explores the spirituality of the Advent season.
Advent: The Little Lent
A presentation on how the Advent season is the time to prepare our bodies and our homes for the birth of Christ.
The Skit Guys – Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
All of creation, all of God’s story, all of us, long for Christ’s coming. Watch this moving piece in art and song that illustrates how all of history culminates in the birth of Jesus. Music by Marcy Priest