Advent can often get away from us, especially in the hustle and bustle of Christmas-related activities. As a season of its own within the liturgical year, Advent should be special in its own right. We can be intentional about celebrating Advent, using sacramentals, reflections, and special prayers:

• Have an Advent wreath in your home and light it each week while saying a special prayer. The Advent wreath brings to mind the time before Jesus when the world was in spiritual darkness, and lighting a candle each week, as the light increases, represents the hope of the coming of the Light of the World. The three purple candles and one rose candle for each week of Advent match the liturgical colors of the vestments for those weeks, with purple representing penance and rose representing rejoicing. The wreath’s circle of evergreen branches symbolize everlasting life through Jesus.
• Meditate on Advent-themed reflections each day of Advent.
• Recite The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary which help us focus on Jesus’ Incarnation. Also, the Christmas Anticipation Prayer is often said throughout Advent.