Preparing to celebrate the Savior’s birth
Catholics ready hearts for the coming of Christ

By Andrew Junker, The Catholic Sun
December 7, 2006

A family sits around the table after dinner. One of the family members strikes a match and lights a candle in the wreath at the table’s center.

As the flame flickers, another family member reads a passage from Scripture and a prayer as all quietly reflect on the days leading up to Christ’s birth.

For many, this scene of prayerful family life seems like an unreachable ideal during the frantic crush before Christmas. It’s difficult enough to manage the shopping, baking or traveling that accompanies the season.

But Pam Looker, a Tempe mother of five, has seen the fruits that come from taking time to prepare for the Advent season as a family.

“When a family knows that a guest is coming, they clean up the house and when the guest arrives, they’re ready to celebrate,” she said.

“If we can incorporate even one tradition in our lives, it helps us to celebrate when Christmas comes,” she added.

The Lookers have been lighting the Advent wreath for years. After dinner, the family lights a candle and reads a reflection from one of the many books that can be purchased at Catholic bookstores.

The act in itself takes very little time, but Looker said the effect is long lasting.

“It creates memories for these children that they’ll never forget. They won’t remember the gift-giving. They’ll remember the traditions,” she said.

The key to having a fruitful Advent season is to pick one tradition and stick to it, Looker said.

“I know our families are busy, but just pick that one thing,” she said. “Communicate with your family ahead of time about what you want to do, and then just stay committed to it.”

Fr. Doug Lorig, pastor of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Scottsdale, agreed that the idea of consistency is important during Advent. He said that focusing on one central theme during the season instills a feeling of preparation for Christmas.

“Advent is bombarded by all kinds of causes,” he said. “It’s hard to get a theme for it because everything encroaches upon it.”

Some priests attempt to maintain a theme through their homilies. Another way is by establishing a musical theme to run throughout the season.

Fr. Lorig emphasized the importance color plays during the season. He met with his liturgy committee months ago to plan the colors and decorations for Advent.

“We’re a very visual people,” said Sr. Ginger Downey, OLVM, interim director of worship and liturgy for the diocese. “The liturgy should reach all the senses.”

At the same time, Sr. Ginger said, the Masses should reflect the subdued nature of Advent, which is a penitential season like Lent. The priests wear purple vestments and the Gloria is omitted during Mass.

“Advent is kind of quiet. The music should be a little smaller, so that people really get that feel, because outside everything is going crazy,” she said.

For the Lookers, a simple tradition of lighting the Advent wreath together helps turn the outward focus in.

“It’s a way for making room for Him in our lives, our temple, our home and our family life,” she said. “Taking a little time each day to pray is the best gift that we can give Jesus, ourselves and each other.”

Fr. Lorig said nothing could be more important.

“For me, the greatest of all the feasts is Christmas, because there is no Easter without it,” he said. “The incarnation of Jesus Christ was the greatest act that ever happened on this planet. Everything else lines up behind that.”