Catholic Traditions with a new Twist and a
“Click”
Here are some suggestions on how to use your computer to
implement some classic traditional practices during Advent, Christmas
and Epiphany.
ADVENT
-
Advent
Wreath:
 "Customarily the Advent Wreath is constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which are inserted four candles. According to tradition, three of the candles are violet and the fourth is rose. However, four violet or white candles may also be used” (Book of Blessings 1510).
The rose candle is lit the third Sunday of Advent, for this color anticipates and symbolizes the Christmas joy announced in the first word of the Entrance Antiphon: "Rejoice" (Latin, Gaudete). For this reason the Third Sunday is also called Gaudete Sunday, and rose color vestments are permitted.
The Advent Wreath represents the long time when people lived in spiritual darkness, waiting for the coming of the Messiah, the Light of the world. Each year in Advent people wait once again in darkness for the coming of the Lord, His historical coming in the mystery of Bethlehem, His final coming at the end of time, and His special coming in every moment of grace.
So find, buy or make your own Advent Wreath with 4 candles and some
green plant and begin with a wreath blessing ceremony
Advent
Wreath blessing service
Now here's the "twist", bring your laptop to
the wreath or the wreath to your desk top,
but before you assemble family and friends around the Advent Wreath
click on the EWTN link below and click today's date on the calendar.
Light the appropriate candle(s), read from the daily and sing
some songs.
http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/advent/index.htm
or use the US bishops Advent page for a daily virtual Advent
calendar at http://www.usccb.org/advent/
and set the mood for your daily or weekly candle lighting family
service
-
Traveling Wise Men
by Pauline Cooperson (nee Barbuscio)
 When I was a child, my
father began the tradition of the “Traveling Wisemen.”
We had three
wisemen dolls that would “mysteriously” move to different
locations around the house during Advent, until they finally arrived
at the side of Baby Jesus lying in his nativity scene manger on the
morning of Epiphany Sunday. I
can remember looking forward with anticipation (and as I grew older,
much amusement) to seeing what new little nook in the house my dad
had placed the little travelers as they traveled eastward to their
divine destination. Over
the years, these circa- 1970 hand crafted dolls took quite a
beating, inspiring me to create a new set of
Kings that would allow my father to continue this tradition
for many years to come. The basic
components of each Wise Man
are an Arizona Tea bottle, a styrofoam ball and a nylon Knee-high
stocking. Click below for a complete set of instructions to
help you create your own set of Wisemen so that you and your family
can share this tradition with us.
Wise
Men Instructions
-
JESSE TREE
 During Advent, biblical persons representing the ancestors of Jesus, either in faith or bloodline, are gradually added onto a tree or branch, named after the father of David,. The symbols such as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Jesse, David, Solomon, Joseph and Mary can be drawn, cut out or purchased.
Here's our
suggestion: Get some cake size paper plates (28 of them). Paste
the symbol for each day on the front of a plate and the scripture
reference on the back. Select a doorway or archway in your house and
each day recite the scripture and using a pushpin or thumbtack work
your way around the perimeter of the door frame or opening. Or you
can figure out your own family variation.
Suggestion:
Have a different person look up and read the scripture passage each
day it will get them familiar with the bible.
You will need to print
out the symbols and scripture references below:
Jesse
Tree Symbols
Jesse
Tree Scripture references
Can't find your bible?
Use
this Bible on line
-
The “O
Antiphons”
The O Antiphons, so
called because they all begin with the exhortation "O,"
are part of the Divine Office. These prayers are sung or said on the
seven days before the Vigil of the Nativity, beginning on December
17th.
A collection of
phrases from Biblical texts, largely the wisdom and prophetic books,
they are believed to have been composed by a cantor of the 7th or
8th century. The Antiphons became truly popular during the Middle
Ages. They speak of man's desire and longing for God, a longing
which has existed throughout the history of God's people from the
beginning of time through Abraham, Moses and David, fulfilled on the
night when Emmanuel (God with us) was born.
The structure of the
Antiphons make them perfect for a family tradition, and if you wish,
for expressing in a physical form. Some families draw the symbols of
the Antiphons on circles of cardboard, felt, fabric or paper and
hang them from ribbons on a banner or poster. The circles are turned
to the wall and after the Antiphon is sung or said, the circle is
flipped to show the images. On Christmas Eve, all the images are
visible.
Click
hereto print out a set of these antiphons that the children can
color for your O'Antiphon tradition
 |
December 17:
O Wisdom.
You came forth from the mouth of the Most High and reaching
from beginning to end, You ordered all things mightily and
sweetly. Come and teach us the way of prudence!
|
 |
December 18:
O Lord
and Ruler of the house of Israel, You appeared to Moses in
the burning bush and on Mount Sinai gave him Your Law. Come
and with outstretched arm redeem us!
|
 |
December 19:
O Root of
Jesse, You stand for an ensign of mankind; before You
kings shall keep silence, and to You all nations shall have
recourse. Come, save us and do not delay!
|
 |
December 20:
O Key of
David, and Sceptre of the House of Israel, You open and
no man closes; You close and no man opens. Come and deliver
him from the chains of prison who sits in darkness and in
the shadow of death!
|
 |
December 21:
O Rising
Dawn, Radiance of the Light eternal and Sun of Justice;
come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the
shadow of death!
|
 |
December 22:
O King of
Nations and Desired of All, You are the cornerstone that
binds two into one. Come, and save poor man whom You
fashioned out of clay!
|
 |
December 23:
O Emmanuel,
God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the Expected of nations
and their Saviour; come and save us , O Lord our God!
|
|
