Posted November 29, 2012 Book: A Catholic Family Advent: Prayers and Activities Author: Susan Hines-Brigger Franciscan Media. Cincinnati. OH. 2012. pp. 28 An Excerpt from the Jacket: Susan Hines-Brigger mother of four, knows the weeks leading up to Christmas can easily become a nightmare of whiny behavior, crowded to-do lists, and a less-than—spiritual experience. A Catholic Family Advent has a solution. An entry for each day of Advent offers a Scripture for reflection, a short meditation, a fresh idea for an easy family activity, and a short prayer. An Excerpt from the Book: First Sunday in Advent Scripture: The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Jeremiah 33:14 Reflection: Nothing quite symbolizes the waiting that is a mark of Advent like the Advent wreath. My kids revel in marking off the weeks by lighting the four candles. As a society, we are not really accustomed to waiting for things. Everything seems to be fast --- fast food, on-demand television, and instant communication --- thanks to smart phones and the Internet. But Advent reminds us that, in time, good things will come. Let’s enjoy the wait. Talk together What was the best thing you ever had to wait for? Prayer Dear Lord, remind us to slow down and soak up the beauty of this season. Help us to not lose focus on the true meaning of these coming weeks. Activity Does your family have an Advent wreath? If so, now is the time to get it out and set it up. If not, you can make one easily. Sometimes, parishes hold Advent wreath --- making events. If your parish does not, you can purchase a wreath form made of wire or Styrofoam and fill it out with real or artificial evergreen branches and lay them in a circle around the candles. You will need three purple candles and one pink candle, but even that isn’t mandatory. Find white candles and a purple and pink ribbon around them. The important thing is to have something that helps your family mark the time through Advent. Table of Contents: From First Sunday in Advent to Christmas