--- title: "Prepare for Advent Prayer: Now Is the Time!" description: Kelly Guest encourages us to get ready for Advent and gives five suggestions for Advent family devotionals.  image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20241115%20KGuest%201.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/prepare-for-advent-prayer-now-is-the-time#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Prepare for Advent Prayer: Now Is the Time! Nov 15, 2024 1:00:00 PM  |  by [Kelly Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/kelly-guest) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20241115%20KGuest%201.png) *Kelly Guest encourages us to get ready for Advent and gives five suggestions for Advent family devotionals.*  --- ## Mid-November is the perfect time to prepare for Advent I know, it is only the middle of November. You are probably upset that Walmart had Christmas decorations up before the Halloween candy was put away. And you have just begun to think about what dishes you will prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. But I am telling you, now is the time to begin preparing for Christmas preparations.  Of course, we Catholics call Christmas preparation "Advent." And it is not too early to think about Advent — it will be here before you know it, very soon after you carve that turkey. So, before you get wrapped up in hors d’oeuvres and delight in desserts, take a little time to prepare to prepare.  Find time this week to get up into the attic or crawl into the storage space to find the advent wreath. Don’t forget to buy the[candles](https://amzn.to/3AwDsST), if you need them. They can be hard to find at last minute!      ## Choose a book of devotions to use with your family around the wreath ### [*![5 Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/5%20Minute%20Prayers%20Around%20the%20Advent%20Wreath.jpeg?width=250&height=350&name=5%20Minute%20Prayers%20Around%20the%20Advent%20Wreath.jpeg)5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath*](https://amzn.to/4fBEADv) Our very own Lisa M. Hendey wrote a nice little family Advent devotional book called [*5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath*](https://amzn.to/4fBEADv) (Ave Maria Press). For every day during Advent, there is an antiphon, Bible verse, reflection, questions, and a prayer. If you like to light your Advent wreath when everyone is gathered for dinner or before bed when little ones may be sleepy, the concise reflections are perfect. Have a little longer time to reflect? Then the discussions will enhance your prayer time together. Because of the thoughtful questions, this little book also lends itself to journaling.    ### [*![A Catholic Family Advent](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/A%20Catholic%20Family%20Advent.jpg?width=250&height=386&name=A%20Catholic%20Family%20Advent.jpg)A Catholic Family Advent: Prayers and Activities*](https://amzn.to/48FZqPY) Looking for some Advent projects to do together? Consider Susan Hines-Brigger’s [*A Catholic Family Advent: Prayers and Activities*](https://amzn.to/48FZqPY). Along with simple activities that often employ the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, this devotional also has short Scripture readings, prayers, and a “talk together” section for each day.    ### [*![Laught and Grow Bible for Kids Advent Devotional](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Laught%20and%20Grow%20Bible%20for%20Kids%20Advent%20Devotional.jpg?width=250&height=321&name=Laught%20and%20Grow%20Bible%20for%20Kids%20Advent%20Devotional.jpg)Laugh and Grow Bible Family Advent Devotional: A Four-Week Journey Through the Christmas Story*](https://amzn.to/3Arbp7n) If you have little ones, I just love [*Laugh and Grow Bible Family Advent Devotional: A Four-Week Journey Through the Christmas Story*](https://amzn.to/3Arbp7n) by Jess Wolstenholm (Minno Press). After a little story written for children based on Scriptures, the family connection pages gives parents and children something to Talk, Say, Pray, Remember, and Play together. Personally, I’m getting this one for my little granddaughter and her mommy and daddy this year!    ### [*![advent and christmas mcgrady](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/advent%20and%20christmas%20mcgrady.jpg?width=250&height=350&name=advent%20and%20christmas%20mcgrady.jpg)Advent and Christmas: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens*](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/advent-and-christmas-mcgrady) If you have teens in your home celebrating Christmas with you, help them focus on the true meaning of the season with [*Advent and Christmas: One Day at a Time for Catholic Teens*](https://www.avemariapress.com/products/advent-and-christmas-mcgrady)* *by Tommy and Katie Prejean McGrady (Ave Maria Press). This devotional gives each week of Advent a theme: hope, faith, joy, and peace. Old Testament readings, reflections, and prayers build on the week’s theme. Young people are challenged to "Grow Your Soul" with practical acts, and if they "Feel Ambitious" a bigger feat is given. While written as a journaling experience for youth, there is no reason why parents cannot participate, too.    ### [*![Jesse Tree Cover](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jesse%20Tree%20Cover.jpg?width=250&height=194&name=Jesse%20Tree%20Cover.jpg)The Jesse Tree for Families*](https://amzn.to/4elV7uq) Looking for something a little different than the traditional Advent wreath devotion? Try [*The Jesse Tree for Families*](https://amzn.to/4elV7uq) by Colleen Pressprich (Our Sunday Visitor). Get a little evergreen or a nice tree branch with lots of twigs and put it in a pot. Then use the cardstock pictures in the back of the book to cut out and decorate your Jesse tree. Each day for the first 16 days, this beautifully illustrated book tells the story of someone in Jesus’ family tree. The last 7 days reflect on the titles of Jesus given in the O Antiphons (from O Wisdom to O Emmanuel). Engaging for young and old, this is the perfect book if you have a wide range of ages in your family.    ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20241115%20KGuest%202.png?width=1080&height=1350&name=20241115%20KGuest%202.png)   As the days get shorter and the nights get colder, know that our season of waiting and anticipating Jesus’ birth grows near. Make it more meaningful for you and your family by filling this time of preparation with prayer, action, and reflection.   Do you have a favorite Advent book or tradition? I would love to know! I am always looking for new ideas. Feel free to share in the comment section below.  God bless your Advent, and may it culminate in a most glorious Christmas!    Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles. --- Copyright 2024 Kelly Guest Images: Canva This article contains Amazon affiliate links, which provide a small compensation to the author of this piece when purchases are made through the links, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting our Catholic Mom writers in this way. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fprepare-for-advent-prayer-now-is-the-time%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fprepare-for-advent-prayer-now-is-the-time%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fprepare-for-advent-prayer-now-is-the-time%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Prepare%20for%20Advent%20Prayer%3A%20Now%20Is%20the%20Time%21) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fprepare-for-advent-prayer-now-is-the-time%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fprepare-for-advent-prayer-now-is-the-time%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Kelly Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Kelly%20Guest%2008%202021.jpg) ### [Kelly Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/kelly-guest) Kelly Guest is the author of Saintly Moms: 25 Stories of Holiness. For over 30 years, she has worked in various ministries in the Church, beginning with her five years as a Dominican sister. She is now the Director of Family Faith Formation at her parish. She lives with her husband Paul and their nine wonderful children in the rolling country hills of Maryland. [**](https://www.twitter.com/nun2nine) ## Related Blog Articles [ Welcoming Jesus into Our Hearts and Homes Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/welcoming-jesus-into-our-hearts-and-homes) [ New: 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/new-5-minute-prayers-around-the-advent-wreath) [ Preparing to Pray Around Your Advent Wreath Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/preparing-to-pray-around-your-advent-wreath) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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