Advent and Christmas Archives - Page 8 of 12 - Equipping Catholic Families

Feast Day Fun: Bambinelli Sunday

December 12, 2014 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

We were inspired by the book Bambinelli Sunday. See Bridget’s review below!

We decided to take advantage of the SNOW DAY … and make our own Bambinelli.

I was intrigued by 2 different homemade recipes for dough I found online: one for salt/flour dough and one for corn starch/baking soda dough. The corn starch dough made a cool kind of dough and it’s nice and smooth and bright white, but we must have done something wrong, because it will not keep its’ shape. The trusty salt dough was easier to work with and even though it can get a little crumbly, we like how our Bambinelli turned out.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Catholic Crafts, DIY Crafts, Reviews

No Mess Straw for Sock Baby Jesus

December 3, 2014 by Monica McConkey 4 Comments

1. Last year, I made a Sock Baby Jesus in a Clementine Box Crib and it was SO EASY and SO CUTE and was made completely from a lone sock, some fabric scraps and a clementine crate!

2. This year, I was inspired by Tracy at Slice of Smith Life with her post about all of her family Advent traditions and the fact that she uses string for straw in her manger.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Catholic Crafts

Advent Wreath: Week ONE

December 3, 2014 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

So, thanks to the new Ladies Group at our Church, I made a new Advent Wreath this year! I know it looks a little like a ball of cedar, but it was fun to make and gave us the push we needed to commit to the Advent Wreath and prayers this year.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Catholic Crafts, family traditions, Printables

Catholic Bloggers’ Advent Link-Up

December 1, 2014 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

Looking for some awesome Advent posts? The Catholic Bloggers Network is sponsoring a new Advent Link-Up, each week of Advent! Come and check it out! Add your own Advent reflections, traditions, crafts and activities…and visit, comment on and share the other posts from other Catholic Bloggers!

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Catholic Bloggers

Advent Prayer Pockets: NEW Cathletics Craft Kit!

November 28, 2014 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Add Advent Prayer Pockets to your Advent celebrations this year!

Add prayerful focus to your Advent Calendar, Mealtime Prayer, Family Time…or keep the perfect Advent prayers handy when you light your Advent Wreath!

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Catholic Crafts, family traditions

Advent Activity Gallery

November 27, 2014 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Advent starts on Sunday! Are you ready?

I’ve been working on organizing a directory of Advent activities and crafts! This is what I have so far…but I will be adding to it!

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Filed Under: 7 Quick Takes, Advent and Christmas, family traditions, Reviews

Jesse Tree

November 26, 2014 by Monica McConkey 2 Comments

Last year was the year of the Jesse Tree for our family!

We made a Handprint Family Tree Banner just for the Jesse Tree ornaments, but this banner can also be used during some of the other seasons of the Liturgical Calendar!

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, family traditions, Liturgical Calendar Crafts

Advent Books: The Season of the Nativity

November 26, 2014 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

The Season of the Nativity by Sybil MacBeth has just been released by Paraclete Press (publisher for Dragon Slayers, another favorite book of ours here at Equipping Catholic Families).

While the book is not specifically Catholic, the self-confessed Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Extremist (author) does an incredible job of mapping out thoughtful and spiritual practices to keep the meaning in Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. The author was introduced to Advent and the Liturgical Calendar from the Episcopalian perspective…and she seems to have retained a love for the Liturgical Calendar and the rich traditions that unfold throughout the seasons and are modeled by the Saints.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Reviews

Advent Books: A Eucharistic Christmas

November 25, 2014 by Monica McConkey 1 Comment

A Eucharistic Christmas: Advent Meditations on the Presence of Christ is a beautiful book of reflections beginning December 1 and spanning to January 6, focusing on the True Presence of Jesus. Each day brings a thoughtful reflection written by a well-known Catholic author, a crisp and clear thought for reflection or challenge and a beautiful, personal prayer to Jesus, present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Reflection, Reviews

Advent Books: The Advent of Christ

November 25, 2014 by Monica McConkey Leave a Comment

The Advent of Christ Scriptural Reflections to Prepare for Christmas is a beautiful book of reflections by Dr. Edward Sri, perfect to help us prepare for Christmas throughout the season of Advent. Each day contains a short Scriptural reading, a meditation helping us delve deeper into the Christmas story, a question for reflection and a simple but profound prayer to help us keep the focus.

Filed Under: Advent and Christmas, Reflection, Reviews