Advent

Advent 2024: Hope and Rejoice

Advent is a season of hope and joy as we prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ and his second coming. This Advent is especially hopeful and joyful as Pope Francis will start the 2025 Jubilee on December 29 with the theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.” Find resources for you, your family and parish, including this year's new small group reflection guide.

Archbishop Etienne's 2024 Advent video and reflections

Watch Archbishop Etienne's brief video: "How can we make the best of this Advent season?"
December 2 blog post, "Advent: Let us go up rejoicing to the house of the Lord"
December 3 blog post, "Prefer Nothing to the Love of Christ"
December 4 blog post, "Placed At His Feet"
December 6 blog post, "Advent Light"

Weekly Advent 2024 reflections

Look for a new Scripture passage and reading each week of Advent, with reflection questions and prayer.

Week 4 Scripture and reading

Advent Week 4 Scripture and prayer...Hurry

Read the Scripture passage below, followed by a reading from Pope Francis, then open Reflection questions and prayer.

From the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 1:39-45):

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.
And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Reading from Spes Non Confundit, for the Jubilee 2025

Pope Francis writes: “Setting out on a journey is traditionally associated with our human quest for meaning in life. A pilgrimage on foot is a great aid for rediscovering the value of silence, effort and simplicity of life. In the coming year, pilgrims of hope will surely travel the ancient and more modern routes in order to experience the Jubilee to the full…. Journeying from one country to another as if borders no longer mattered, and passing from one city to another in contemplating the beauty of creation and masterpieces of art, we learn to treasure the richness of different experiences and cultures, and are inspired to lift up that beauty, in prayer, to God, in thanksgiving for his wondrous works.”

Week 4 Reflection questions and prayer

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Mary set out “in haste” on her journey. Have I ever taken a journey or pilgrimage that changed my life? Where was I going, and what changed?
Where do I hope to “journey” in my faith life during the coming Jubilee?
What “journey” are we on together as a faith community? Do we need to hurry, as Mary did – or be patient? Or both?

CONCLUDING PRAYER:

Lord’s Prayer

Week 3 Scripture and reading

Advent Week 3 Scripture and prayer...Rejoice

Read the Scripture passage below, followed by a reading from Pope Francis, then open Reflection questions and prayer.

From the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 4:4-7)

Brothers and sisters:

Rejoice in the Lord always.

I shall say it again: rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all.

The Lord is near.

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

The word of the Lord.

Reading from Spes Non Confundit, for the Jubilee 2025

Pope Francis writes: “We need to ‘abound in hope’ (cf. Rom 15:13), so that we may bear credible and attractive witness to the faith and love that dwell in our hearts; that our faith may be joyful and our charity enthusiastic; and that each of us may be able to offer a smile, a small gesture of friendship, a kind look, a ready ear, a good deed, in the knowledge that, in the Spirit of Jesus, these can become, for those who receive them, rich seeds of hope.”

Week 3 Reflection questions and prayer

Week 2 Scripture and reading

Advent Week 2 Scripture and prayer...Pray

Read the Scripture passage below, followed by a reading from Pope Francis, then open Reflection questions and prayer.

From the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians (Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11)

Brothers and sisters:

I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now.

I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.

God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

The word of the Lord.

Reading from Spes Non Confundit, for the Jubilee 2025

Pope Francis writes: “By virtue of the hope in which we were saved, we can view the passage of time with the certainty that the history of humanity and our own individual history are not doomed to a dead end or a dark abyss, but directed to an encounter with the Lord of glory. As a result, we live our lives in expectation of his return and in the hope of living forever in him. In this spirit, we make our own the heartfelt prayer of the first Christians with which sacred Scripture ends: ‘Come, Lord Jesus!’”

Week 2 Reflection questions and prayer

Week 1 Scripture and reading

Advent Week 1 Scripture and prayer...Wake up

Read the Scripture passage below, followed by a reading from Pope Francis, then open Reflection questions and prayer.

From the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 21:34-36):

Jesus said to his disciples: “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.

People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.

For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth.

Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Reading from from Spes Non Confundit, for the Jubilee 2025

Pope Francis writes: “In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope.”

Week 1 Reflection questions and prayer

View or download a pdf of all the readings and reflections in English or Spanish.

Ways to prepare...

Read or download the Advent Traditions resource to find a new family tradition: English | Spanish
Scroll down for inspirational articles from Northwest Catholic.
The Hallow prayer and meditation app for Catholics has its daily Advent Challenge that many people find helpful.

Small Group Reflection Guide

Use the new Advent Small Group Reflection guide for small groups at your parish or with family and friends. A new reflection for each week.

Available in English and Spanish to view and download:

English

Spanish

Prepare with the sacraments and adoration

There’s no better way to prepare and pray than through the Eucharist and Reconciliation. This Advent, consider spending some time every week in adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Search for Mass, Reconciliation and Adoration

Advent resources

Advent traditions and prayers

As you prepare for for the coming of the Lord, try something new this year:

Check out the downloadable Advent Family Traditions resource to find a new family tradition: English | Spanish
Use the USCCB's 2024 Advent Calendar for daily prayer and activity suggestions: English | Spanish

Advent Prayers:

Blessings for the Advent Wreath, Nativity Scene and Christmas Tree
Prayer suggestions when you light your Advent wreath: Go to USCCB's daily readings in English and Spanish, and find other suggestions at Dynamic Catholic.
St. Andrew Christmas Novena (on page 2 of Family Traditions resource).
The “O Antiphon” prayers start December 17 and go through December 23. These are short prayers to add to your daily Advent wreath prayers.
Pope Francis's prayer to the Holy Family in English and Spanish
The Hallow prayer and meditation app for Catholics has its yearly Advent Challenge that many people follow.

Ideas for children:

Holy Heroes free online Advent Adventure for children ages 5-12, with daily emails with short videos and printable coloring sheets.
Read Advent books to your children. Click here for suggestions
Jesse Tree tradition

For Catholic Advent supplies, from Advent wreaths and candles, faith-based Advent calendars (some with chocolate!), and more, click here.

For even more Advent ideas and inspirational Advent videos, go to the Archdiocese of Seattle's Faith Formation Advent resources page:
In English
In Spanish

Hispanic prayers and traditions

December 3-11: Novena to prepare for the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12

December 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

December 16-24: Posadas. In many parishes, the Hispanic community celebrates the Posadas. “Posadas” is Spanish for “lodging” or “accommodation” and is a traditional celebration of nine days before Christmas, telling the story of Joseph and Mary on their journey looking for a place to stay before their baby Jesus was born. Each day corresponds to one month that Jesus was carried in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

For more Advent resources in Spanish, go to the Archdiocese of Seattle’s Faith Formation Advent page.

Feasts and Solemnities during Advent

The following saints' feast days are observed during Advent:

St. Andrew the Apostle, November 30. Pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena from November 30 to Christmas.

St. Francis Xavier, December 3.

St. Nicholas, December 6. Learn all about this great saint here. Read this article from Northwest Catholic on ways to celebrate St. Nicholas Day.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, December 8. This is a holy day of obligation. Learn more.

The feast day of St. Juan Diego is December 9. Learn more here.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12. Read more here. Join our local celebration and Mass at St. James Cathedral on December 7.

St. Lucy, December 13.

John of the Cross, December 14.

Parish, ministry and school resources

Find everything you need to inspire your community to fully engage in the season of Advent with the following Advent 2024 resources.

Encourage your parish and school community to go to archseattle.org/advent for Advent inspiration and ideas.

Below is a list of assets and resources in English and Spanish (find links to each folder below list):

Communications plan with suggested messaging and how-tos
Advent Small Group Reflection Guide
Family Traditions PDF to use as bulletin insert or shareable resource
Advent ad for bulletins to point to archseattle.org/advent
Social media posts
Web and and email banners
A PDF with the Sunday reflections and questions by the bishops
Pope Francis' Prayer to the Holy Family

Click here for the above assets in English

Click here for the assets in Spanish

Link (to come) to Archbishop Etienne's downloadable introduction to Advent video:

Trying to encourage your parishioners to pray more more during Advent? The Hallow app has an Advent Challenge with daily prayer that can be served up daily to your mobile device. To learn more, click here.

Inspirational Articles from Northwest Catholic

Get inspired by the following articles from Northwest Catholic. Find even more at nwcatholic.org.

13 traditions for keeping an Advent attitude

"Here are 13 traditions and devotions that can make our Advent more meaningful and fruitful." Click here to read article

A path to a fruitful Advent

"Here are three steps for making this the best one (Advent) yet." Click here to read article

Insta-culture and a powerful Advent lesson on delayed gratification

“...Delayed gratification” is simply not part of American life anymore — and that’s as true of Catholics and other Christians as it is of the average American." Click here for the article.

Let the warmth of Advent pull the bleak midwinter from you

"It’s up to us to decide how we might give our heart during Advent. We may need a plan."

Click here to read article

A daily prayer to prepare our hearts...

"The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is not your typical nine-day novena..."

Click here to read article

When Jesus comes: An Advent reflection

"How can we prepare to receive Jesus in a transformative way this Advent? Some questions to consider..."

Click here for article.

Advent Events, Retreats and Masses

No event found!

What’s next?

Don’t forget that Christmas is more than a day; it’s an entire season. Think about how you want to keep the spirit of Christmas with prayer, celebration and new traditions.

Learn more