The month leading up to Christmas is popularly known as the Christmas Season. But in a liturgical sense, the Christmas Season does not start until Christmas Day. The four weeks leading up to Christmas is known as Advent, a liturgical season focused on anticipating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Advent calendars are almost ubiquitous throughout the month of December. In supermarkets, drug stores, and anywhere else you might find candy for sale, you’ll see a display of Advent calendars. But many people do not know what an Advent calendar really is, or what it represents. This Christian tradition goes beyond a daily chocolate for the kids and has special...
Christmas is truly a time to rejoice and be glad. But if you're not sure how to share the joy of our Savior's birth, it can put a bit of a damper on your holiday spirit. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a present that was sure to fit, didn't need batteries and wouldn't fall apart in the wash...
Advent season is a gift: an entire month to repent, reflect, and celebrate the birth of Christ. It's a time to re-energize our confidence in God's promises and revel in the many gifts He has given us. It's also a time to remember why we believe, and unite with our friends, family, and congregations in celebration of that belief. We...
Many of us light candle wreaths during the Advent season. Where did this tradition originate and how did it come to be such a long-standing part of our Catholic traditions? Well… There was a pastor named Johann Hinrich Wichern who, in the 1800s, kept being asked by his students when Christmas would arrive. To help them count the days, he...
Manger. Nativity. Crèche. Whatever you call your holy representation of Jesus Christ’s miraculous birth, we want to see it. Today, we’re launching our inaugural Leaflet Missal Nativity Scene Contest across Instagram and Facebook. The premise is simple: Share a photo of your beloved nativity scene with us and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $100 Leaflet Missal...
For centuries, Advent has been a religious and spiritual cornerstone of the holiday season, encouraging Christians to slow down, reflect, and meaningfully prepare for the Christmas celebration. Over the years, many practices and cultures have influenced how we celebrate the Advent season—with four core symbols emerging and cementing themselves as seasonal musts: Advent Calendars, Advent Wreaths, Jesse Trees, and Nativity...
For centuries, the Advent tradition has encouraged faithful Catholics to find hope, peace, joy, and love through their preparation for Jesus Christ’s birth and His second coming. Of course, as our world has evolved, traditions have also evolved—and it can be hard to slow down and truly give ourselves over to the season. That’s where we aim to help. We...
For centuries, the Advent celebration has encouraged faithful Catholics to find hope, peace, joy, and love through their preparation for Jesus Christ’s birth and His second coming. Of course, as our world has evolved, traditions have also evolved—and it can be hard to slow down and truly give ourselves over to the season. That’s where we aim to help. We...