Celebrating any special occasion is fun - celebrating is about being happy and rejoicing. With Advent, and with other celebrations, it's good to learn something about the link between why we celebrate with how.
You can find out more about why we celebrate Advent by looking at:
Catholic Online: Advent
Explore the sites below to find out more about customs and traditions: how we celebrate Advent.
(Some of the sites listed here also have Advent music and worship ideas which could be used to celebrate Advent.)
The Season of Advent
(the symbolism of the colours of Advent; evergreens; Advent wreaths and candles)
Advent Candle Lighting: a litany for each Sunday of Advent
Year A - Advent Candle Lighting
Year B - Advent Candle Lighting
Year C - Advent Candle Lighting
If you make an Advent ring and light Advent candles remember to get an adult to help make sure what you do is safe. Candles burn!
Did you discover what the different parts - the ring, the four candles in the ring and the taller candle in the centre - represent? Why are the candles lit? What does this tell you about how Advent is a special time for Christians?
Another popular Advent tradition is the calendar. If you are making Advent calendars these sites may help give you new ideas:
Animated Advent Calendar
Woodlands Junior School Online Advent Calendar
History of the Advent Calendar (from Germany)
What do you think the Advent calendar tells us about preparing for Christmas?
These sites have information about some other Advent customs and traditions:
The Jesse Tree
(Includes ideas for making a Jesse Tree)
Hanging of The Greens: A Celebration of The Advent Season
(A lectionary resource which explores the history and meaning of various Advent customs and traditions.)
This site has some useful prayers and readings for Advent if you are preparing worship for an assembly.
Prayers & Customs of Advent & Christmas