Worship Activties
Advent Calendar Activities
Week 1: Hope This week, pray for the Area Faith Communities of Deanery 1: Mother of Hope, Vine & Branches, Divine Mercy, Holy Cross, All Saints, Apostles Peter & Paul, and Corpus Christi. Click here to get to know your AFCs.
Nov 30: Use this blessing to bless your Advent wreath, then light the first candle. Sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Start this Advent Coloring Countdown and continue to work on it each day throughout Advent.
Dec 1: Write down three hopes for this Advent season and pray for them.
Dec 2: Create a prayer chain with your family—each link a prayer intention.
Dec 3:Write an encouraging note for someone in need.
Dec 4: Perform a random act of kindness.
Dec 5: Host a family prayer night. Explore this Bible Scavenger Hunt as you journey through the remaining days of Advent.
Dec 6: Feast of St. Nicholas! Leave treats in shoes and discuss generosity.
Week 2: Peace This week, pray for the Area Faith Communities of Deanery 2: Spirit of Life, St. Isidore the Farmer, Holy Family, Good Teacher, Christ the King, and Mary, Mother of God. Click here to get to know your AFCs.
Dec 7: Light two candles on your Advent wreath. Pray for peace in your family and the world.
Dec 8: Attend Mass for the Immaculate Conception.
Dec 9: Write Christmas cards with prayers for recipients.
Dec 10: Spend time in silence before the Blessed Sacrament. Complete a fun Christ-centered activity sheet like this.
Dec 11: Share a Scripture verse about peace. Talk about how you can bring more peace into the world.
Dec 12:
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Pray for those who are experiencing difficult pregnancies and for those who are experiencing child loss or infertility.
Kids draw a picture of Our Lady of the Prairie or a picture of your own mother and give it to her.
Dec 13: Drive/ride around looking at Christmas lights with hot chocolate. Count how many Nativity scenes or angels you see.
Week 3: Joy This week, pray for the Area Faith Communities of Deanery 3: Jesus Our Living Water, Shepherd of Souls, Hutchinson & Stewart, St. John Paul II, and Heart of Jesus. Click here to get to know your AFCs.
Dec 14: Gaudete Sunday! Light the rose (third) candle on your Advent wreath and rejoice.
Dec 15: Bless your Christmas tree. Kids draw a picture of Jesus’ birth and share it.
Dec 16: Bake and decorate Nativity themed cookies.
Dec 17: Begin the “O Antiphons.” Deliver cookies to a neighbor.
Dec 18: Bless your Nativity scene.
Dec 19: Share a family meal and talk about joy.
Dec 20: Invite someone alone to join you for dinner today, or at Christmas. Declutter all unused toys and items and donate them to someone in need.
Week 4: Love This week, pray for the parish families of the Diocese of New Ulm. Click here to get to know the parishes and Area Faith Communities within the Diocese of New Ulm.
Dec 21: Light all candles on your Advent wreath and pray for Christ’s love to fill your heart.
Dec 22: Make a gratitude list.
Dec 23: Read Isaiah 7:14 and reflect on Emmanuel. Color Nativity or Christmas themed placemats to use on Christmas day.
Dec 24: Christmas Eve - Pause for silent prayer before Christmas Mass. Watch a movie on the Nativity.
Dec 25: CHRISTMAS DAY! Celebrate the birth of Christ! Read John 1:14: “And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” Then, attend mass with family, friends, or on your own as a meaningful way to celebrate. Finish coloring the last item (Baby Jesus!) from your Advent Coloring Countdown. Cut each item out and paste it onto a large piece of construction paper, creating your own Nativity scene. Make sure to put Baby Jesus in the crib!