4 Simple Ways to Make Advent More Meaningful

Advent is upon us. This year, join CRS Fair Trade as your family, community and parish prepare for the coming of Christ. Together we’ll reflect on the journey that brought Mary and Joseph to the stable in Bethlehem and on communities around the world that continue to encounter rejection on their journeys today.

Here are 4 simple ways to make your Advent more meaningful.

PRAY

Photo by Karen Kasmauski for CRS

Pray for our brothers and sisters overseas as you enter the season of Advent. Begin your celebration with the Advent Wreath Prayer and come together as a family as you light the candle each week. Another focal point in the home and parish is the nativity. Honor the ancient tradition of the Christmas creche with the Nativity Scene Prayer, reflecting on the Holy Family and Christ’s love for our one human family.

Celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, praying for her intercession of peace and justice. And, if you’re holding a CRS Fair Trade sale with your friends and family, start it off right with these prayer intentions for farmers and artisans across the globe.

REFLECT

Gather together as a family or faith group to deepen your understanding of the Scripture and learn about our brothers and sisters in need. Four weekly reflections break open the Gospel readings for each Sunday of Advent, while incorporating stories of artisans and farmers who make the fair trade gifts we give during the holidays. Each weekly reflection can be found here: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3 and Week 4.

ACT

Purchase Fair Trade gifts through SERRV, benefiting artisans and farmers worldwide.

Use the Gift of Hope Tree to show children how Christ was born into poverty, and how this relates to the reality of many families around the world. Or, simply print out the Gift of Hope Tree Ornaments and hang them on a tree in your school or parish gathering space. If your parish or school already coordinates a giving tree activity for your local community, consider adding these Gift of Hope Tree ornaments to your tree and inviting people to remember their local and global family at Christmas.

GIVE

This Advent, consider purchasing fair trade gifts. And give a gift that gives twice this Christmas.

You can also support a CRS project through our Gift of Hope Catalog.

Click here for more information about CRS Fair Trade Advent resources.

Copyright 2015 Catholic Relief Services.