Members of the Boston Area were delighted to welcome Woodeene Koenig-Bricker via Zoom to inspire them with a fun and joyful look at a range of practical ideas to enhance Advent.

Woodeene is a Catholic author and editor who has written extensively about spirituality and family for a variety of publications and has published nearly a dozen books. Her latest is A Dinner Party with the Saints, which will be out in February. Through her speaking ministry, she has become a creative contributor to Catholic culture across the United States and beyond.

This interactive conversation, entitled Preparing for Advent, took place on Saturday, November 28th. Woodeene spoke of how our Christmas-season traditions can be approached spiritually, bringing even more joy to our Advent preparations. Some ways Woodeene encourages us to make our Advent special, particularly in this challenging time of Covid-19, include:

• Enhance Our Spirituality: Woodeene recommends we use the time of Advent to pay special attention to our words and deeds as we await the coming of Christ. We might also consider praying the Rosary, spending some time in Eucharistic Adoration or making a good-deed crèche. Put a slip of paper, acting as a piece of straw, in the manger each time you do a good deed so that the bed will be filled with holy softness for the Christ Child.

• See the Deeper Meaning of Lights. “I’ve always believed that preparing for Christmas, including putting up decorations, can be part of Advent,” Woodeene said. She tells us that lights are more than just pretty objects but rather a symbol of the star that showed the shepherds and wise men the way to the Christ Child. The lights we use to brighten the season can serve as witness to the light of the coming Christ.

• Add a Christmas Crèche or Poinsettia. Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first nativity scene, and Woodeene encourages families to include one in their traditions. The significance of the poinsettia comes from a legend of a poor Mexican girl who, having no present for the baby Jesus, picked some weeds that turned into bright, red flowers when she placed them at the crèche. The ambassador to Mexico first introduced the poinsettia to the United States. It is now the most popular Christmas flower.

• Make Baking a Reminder of Faith. An Anglican tradition is to begin the preparation of fruit cakes on the last Sunday before Advent, the day referred to as Stir-up Sunday. The name comes from the collect of the day: “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people.” The modern-day equivalent might be to make and freeze batches of cookie dough to be baked later in the month.

Judging from the response of participants, the presentation lived up to its promise to be both practical and inspirational. “Thank you for all the ways you are helping to keep us engaged and on track!” said David Houston. Richard Howley described Woodeene’s presentation as knowledgeable, thought provoking and timely. And Grace Regan said it was authentic, inspiring and refreshing.

Woodeene encourages us to look for the light in all our Christmas preparations and to prepare our homes and hearts for the coming of Emmanuel.

Some content provided by “Advent Preparing Your Heart and Home” By Woodeene Koenig-Bricker, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc. Available at: https://www.orderosv.com/product/advent-prepare-your-heart-and-home-2