Christmas and Advent are a beautiful time of the year. For Catholics this is a Holy Season. If you are a Catholic Mother, you probably make an effort to practice certain traditions and rituals in your home to make the season special and holier. The secular Christmas traditions can overtake the beautiful Catholic traditions if this effort is not made. The traditions listed below are meant to help Catholic Moms to find new ideas that they can implement with their families to make the Christmas Season holier.
The Creche of Baby Jesus - Christmas Crib
The crib used in the manger scene in it's present form is credited to Saint Francis of Assisi. The animals in the nativity scene, usually the ass and ox, are traditionally part of the picture. Saint Francis was following tradition when he had these animals placed near the manger.
The wait to Christmas Eve can be quite exciting for Catholic Children! Set up your nativity scene, but leave the Christ Child out of the creche. The creche will be empty, but anticipation will be great until Christmas Eve. On this beautiful night, place baby Jesus in the Christmas Crib or Creche. To add to the fun, wait until the Feast of Epiphany to place the 3 Kings or Magi into the Nativity Set. Your Catholic child will have much fun with this Catholic Tradition and willl look forward to it each year.
Not everyone has a nativity set, and that is okay. You can make your own nativity scene in this case. Set up a poster board and make your own animals and holy family to place on it. Children will enjoy creating the pictures of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. On Christmas Eve, play a game to decide who gets to put baby Jesus into his creche. Your family will have lots of fun!
The Christ Candle
The coming of Jesus on Christmas Eve can be represented by lighting a special candle. Light this Christ Candle in the early evening and let it burn all night long. Go on a special shopping trip with your family to select a special candle. This Christ Candle should be very unique. It can be a special color, large, or decorative. Make sure that it has unique attibutes since it is representing Jesus!
The Tradition of the Christmas Tree
In medieval Germany, the Christmas Tree Tradition began. At this time in Germany, in was a custom to put on a 'mystery play' for entertainment purposes. The 'Paradise Play' was very popular and the Christmas tree was used to represent the 'Tree of Life' and the 'Tree of Discernment of Good and Evil'. The Paradise Play was the story of Adam and Eve and how they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. The Fir Tree used in the play had apples hung on the branches. Not long after this time, Christmas trees began appearing in homes to symbolize the Paradise Tree.
Today in Germany, Christmas Eve begins in the late afternoon. The family gathers to decorate the Christmas tree, using real candles. The candles are lit after all the other ornaments have been hung. There is usually music around the tree and a nativity play in which is preformed early in the evening. After presents are exchanged, the family has a Christmas Dinner together. The children go to bed and are then awakened in time for Midnight Mass.
Let your children put on a Christmas Program for your family in front of the Christmas tree. The older children can help the younger ones. They can make a "program" with Christmas Carols for all of the adults to sing. If there is a piano player in your family, "draft" him or her to help out.
Making Midnight Mass a Tradition in your Family
It is tradition to believe that the Christ Child was born at midnight, thus the Catholics celebrate by attending midnight Mass. Although the Catholic Church stipulates that Mass should be said 'in nocte' (during the nighttime), it does not specify that the first Mass was held at Midnight.
Children love to attend Midnight Mass but might be really tired if they are small. To remedy this, have everyone take a nap during the day or early evening. They will be very excited to be woken up for this special event. To make the event even holier and more memerable, you can attend Confession in some churches. Going to Confession would make a wonderful 'extra special' gift to Jesus and little children are usually very receptive.
Giving and Receiving Christmas Gifts
Exchanging Christmas Gifts is a combination of two old European customs. The first custom was that the children would wake up and Christmas presents would be arranged under the Christmas tree. They believed that the Christ Child had come in the night of December 25th or on Christmas Eve and left the presents. The second custom, which most Americans celebrate, is that of Saint Nicholas. Traditionally, children looked forward to Saint Nicholas coming in the night of his Feast Day on December 6th. He left gifts in their stockings; they were usually hung on the fireplace to dry. Most Americans celebrate the tradition (with a few modifications) of Saint Nicholas. We call him Santa Claus and he comes on Christmas Eve.
A great activity to share with your children would be to study the life of the real Saint Nicholas. Since he is a true Catholic Saint, you can start a novena to him on his Feast Day or at Christmastime. When Christmas Eve arrives, place Saint Nicholas prayer cards in your childrens stockings. They will be thrilled and will also have learned a little about the Catholic faith.
Most people open their Christmas gifts on Christmas Day. If you practice this tradition, it might be fun to have each child open one present on Christmas Eve. During this special time, talk about the 3 wise men and the gifts that they brought to the baby Jesus. Every chance you get during the holidays, bring Jesus into the picture. This will help to make your Christmas a holy time.
The Tradition of the Poinsettia Flower
The Poinsettia, also called the "flower of the holy night", is a native plant from Central America. It is widely used in churches and homes at Christmastime, because the flaming star of its red bracts resembles the star of Bethlehem. The Poinsettia was named after the United States Ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett. Upon his return to the United States, he brought this flower with him to his home in South Carolina, where it flourished.
It is Jesus' Birthday!
A wonderful way to celebrate Christmas with young children is to have a Birthday Party for Jesus. This is usually done on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Have a birthday cake for Jesus prepared or make one with your children. Make sure to write "Happy Birthday Jesus" and put candles on it. Sing Happy Birthday and blow the candles out just like you would at a regular birthday party. Next you can each open one gift in Jesus' honor. For more excitement, cook a non-toxic wooden Jesus figurine into the cake. The person who finds the little figure will be thrilled.
Christkind Letters - An Old Tradition
A beautiful Austrian Tradition is to write a letter to the Christkind, the Christ Child. These letters are written by children and adults. They contain resolutions and wishes for gifts. Be sure to ask your guardian angel to deliver your letter to the Christ Child! The Austrians believe they are delivered in this manner!
Remember to make Christ the center of all of the Christmas and Advent Celebration. After all, this is why the Christmas Feast exists... to celebrate the birth of Christ. It is important that the real meaning and not the secular meaning is the focus. You as a Catholic Mom can make this possible for your family and they will treasure all the memories you create. You will be making the Christmas Celebration a holy time for your family.
The Creche of Baby Jesus - Christmas Crib
The crib used in the manger scene in it's present form is credited to Saint Francis of Assisi. The animals in the nativity scene, usually the ass and ox, are traditionally part of the picture. Saint Francis was following tradition when he had these animals placed near the manger.
The wait to Christmas Eve can be quite exciting for Catholic Children! Set up your nativity scene, but leave the Christ Child out of the creche. The creche will be empty, but anticipation will be great until Christmas Eve. On this beautiful night, place baby Jesus in the Christmas Crib or Creche. To add to the fun, wait until the Feast of Epiphany to place the 3 Kings or Magi into the Nativity Set. Your Catholic child will have much fun with this Catholic Tradition and willl look forward to it each year.
Not everyone has a nativity set, and that is okay. You can make your own nativity scene in this case. Set up a poster board and make your own animals and holy family to place on it. Children will enjoy creating the pictures of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. On Christmas Eve, play a game to decide who gets to put baby Jesus into his creche. Your family will have lots of fun!
The Christ Candle
The coming of Jesus on Christmas Eve can be represented by lighting a special candle. Light this Christ Candle in the early evening and let it burn all night long. Go on a special shopping trip with your family to select a special candle. This Christ Candle should be very unique. It can be a special color, large, or decorative. Make sure that it has unique attibutes since it is representing Jesus!
The Tradition of the Christmas Tree
In medieval Germany, the Christmas Tree Tradition began. At this time in Germany, in was a custom to put on a 'mystery play' for entertainment purposes. The 'Paradise Play' was very popular and the Christmas tree was used to represent the 'Tree of Life' and the 'Tree of Discernment of Good and Evil'. The Paradise Play was the story of Adam and Eve and how they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. The Fir Tree used in the play had apples hung on the branches. Not long after this time, Christmas trees began appearing in homes to symbolize the Paradise Tree.
Today in Germany, Christmas Eve begins in the late afternoon. The family gathers to decorate the Christmas tree, using real candles. The candles are lit after all the other ornaments have been hung. There is usually music around the tree and a nativity play in which is preformed early in the evening. After presents are exchanged, the family has a Christmas Dinner together. The children go to bed and are then awakened in time for Midnight Mass.
Let your children put on a Christmas Program for your family in front of the Christmas tree. The older children can help the younger ones. They can make a "program" with Christmas Carols for all of the adults to sing. If there is a piano player in your family, "draft" him or her to help out.
Making Midnight Mass a Tradition in your Family
It is tradition to believe that the Christ Child was born at midnight, thus the Catholics celebrate by attending midnight Mass. Although the Catholic Church stipulates that Mass should be said 'in nocte' (during the nighttime), it does not specify that the first Mass was held at Midnight.
Children love to attend Midnight Mass but might be really tired if they are small. To remedy this, have everyone take a nap during the day or early evening. They will be very excited to be woken up for this special event. To make the event even holier and more memerable, you can attend Confession in some churches. Going to Confession would make a wonderful 'extra special' gift to Jesus and little children are usually very receptive.
Giving and Receiving Christmas Gifts
Exchanging Christmas Gifts is a combination of two old European customs. The first custom was that the children would wake up and Christmas presents would be arranged under the Christmas tree. They believed that the Christ Child had come in the night of December 25th or on Christmas Eve and left the presents. The second custom, which most Americans celebrate, is that of Saint Nicholas. Traditionally, children looked forward to Saint Nicholas coming in the night of his Feast Day on December 6th. He left gifts in their stockings; they were usually hung on the fireplace to dry. Most Americans celebrate the tradition (with a few modifications) of Saint Nicholas. We call him Santa Claus and he comes on Christmas Eve.
A great activity to share with your children would be to study the life of the real Saint Nicholas. Since he is a true Catholic Saint, you can start a novena to him on his Feast Day or at Christmastime. When Christmas Eve arrives, place Saint Nicholas prayer cards in your childrens stockings. They will be thrilled and will also have learned a little about the Catholic faith.
Most people open their Christmas gifts on Christmas Day. If you practice this tradition, it might be fun to have each child open one present on Christmas Eve. During this special time, talk about the 3 wise men and the gifts that they brought to the baby Jesus. Every chance you get during the holidays, bring Jesus into the picture. This will help to make your Christmas a holy time.
The Tradition of the Poinsettia Flower
The Poinsettia, also called the "flower of the holy night", is a native plant from Central America. It is widely used in churches and homes at Christmastime, because the flaming star of its red bracts resembles the star of Bethlehem. The Poinsettia was named after the United States Ambassador to Mexico, Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett. Upon his return to the United States, he brought this flower with him to his home in South Carolina, where it flourished.
It is Jesus' Birthday!
A wonderful way to celebrate Christmas with young children is to have a Birthday Party for Jesus. This is usually done on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Have a birthday cake for Jesus prepared or make one with your children. Make sure to write "Happy Birthday Jesus" and put candles on it. Sing Happy Birthday and blow the candles out just like you would at a regular birthday party. Next you can each open one gift in Jesus' honor. For more excitement, cook a non-toxic wooden Jesus figurine into the cake. The person who finds the little figure will be thrilled.
Christkind Letters - An Old Tradition
A beautiful Austrian Tradition is to write a letter to the Christkind, the Christ Child. These letters are written by children and adults. They contain resolutions and wishes for gifts. Be sure to ask your guardian angel to deliver your letter to the Christ Child! The Austrians believe they are delivered in this manner!
Remember to make Christ the center of all of the Christmas and Advent Celebration. After all, this is why the Christmas Feast exists... to celebrate the birth of Christ. It is important that the real meaning and not the secular meaning is the focus. You as a Catholic Mom can make this possible for your family and they will treasure all the memories you create. You will be making the Christmas Celebration a holy time for your family.
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