Advent and Christmas Resources
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12 Days of ChristmasThe Twelve Days of Christmas is the traditional celebration of Christmas that marks the span between the birth of Christ on December 25 and the coming of the Magi, on the eve Epiphany, January 5. As Christians, we celebrate the Advent as a distinct season BEFORE Christmas, and then are privileged to celebrate Christmas itself for twelve days AFTER.
One fun family tradition is to come up with as many items from our faith as possible for the number of each day. For example, 1 hour that Jesus asks us to watch with him, 2 tablets of the ten commandments, 3 patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).
Download a list here and add your own! -
Make this Advent and Christmas season a time of spiritual growth and reflection.
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Advent Giving Tree
Advent Giving Trees are located in the vestibules of each of our churches. You may take one of the “decorations” on the tree and return it with your gift during the Advent season to the parish office or the collection basket when it is passed during Mass. Your donations will be divided evenly between the following three Christ the King Parish ministries:
The Hope for Haiti Committee continues to work in Christ the King Parish to support our community’s growth in Christian discipleship and solidarity through empowering the poor in Haiti and beyond, especially through educational initiatives and grassroots partnerships. As in previous years, the Giving Tree funds contributed by parishioners support Catholic schoolchildren in St. Marc, Haiti (currently 10 children sponsored per year), through the Mortel High Hopes for Haiti Foundation, as well as other school needs and adult education programs at the Mortel schools. This year, the portion of the Giving Tree donations received by the Hope for Haiti Committee will continue these Mortel Foundation sponsorships, as well as benefiting other organizations with similar missions and values in Haiti.
Christ the King’s outreach to feed the community: Each month, the generous parishioners of Christ the King Parish cook and serve 60-75 meals for two homeless shelters in the Pittsburgh area: the women’s shelter at Bethlehem Haven on the first Wednesday of each month, and the men’s shelter at Community House on the fourth Saturday of each month. As one of our regular volunteer opportunities, the Youth Ministry program helps prepare a meal for the families at Family House, which provides a special “home away from home” for patients who are in Pittsburgh seeking medical treatment, and their families.
Christ the King’s conference of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul: September 30 marked the end of the first year of our consolidated St. Vincent de Paul Societies. Because of your generous donations, collected through monthly envelopes, poor boxes, and the Advent Giving Tree, $52,000 has been disbursed to aid people in need within our parish boundaries. These monies helped over 120 individuals to remain in their homes or apartments, prevent utility shut-offs, receive basic furniture needs, and obtain bus passes for transportation.
We have also addressed the food needs of about 60 households through a monthly distribution of groceries at the Sharpsburg Food Pantry located in the basement of St. Mary’s Church. The Pantry, operated by volunteers both from our parish and other churches, provides needed canned goods, fresh produce, dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, paper products, laundry and cleaning products, and personal hygiene items. The Pantry is supported by individual contributions and grants, financial support from other churches, food drives, the baskets in our church entrances and those of some of our neighboring churches, and our affiliation with the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank. And, this year, the produce from the parish garden! This past year it has cost $60,000 to operate the pantry.
If you are seeking a tangible way to practice your faith, please join us in this ministry. Come to the pantry between 8:30 and 10 am on Tuesdays or the third Thursday of the month. Attend a meeting. The Church Bulletin will have the date and time . Or call or text and leave a message at 412- 254-4446 or email us at [email protected]. We will get back to you. We thank you for your financial support. There are many of our neighbors who need your help. -
1st Week of Advent
The Advent Wreath
One of the most common Advent traditions is the lighting of the Advent Wreath candles each Sunday. There is deep symbolism to be found in this tradition.The candles remind us that Christ is the true light of the world. Each Sunday, the wreath gets brighter and brighter as more candles are lit and we approach the coming of Jesus at Christmas.The circular shape of the wreath reminds us of the eternal nature of God and his endless love for us.The evergreen leaves remind us of the gift of everlasting life given to us through Jesus.These are beautiful images to reflect on during this holy season, and the Advent Wreath offers a great opportunity to teach children about the richness of the Faith.Discuss these truths of the Faith as a family and consider saying these prayers together each Sunday when lighting the Advent Wreath.
First Sunday of Advent
All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Second Sunday of Advent
God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
Third Sunday of Advent
Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
All-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Download readings and reflections for the week
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2nd Week of Advent
A Family Advent Prayer
Prayer is at the heart of Advent, and there is no better way to practice and grow in prayer than together as a family - but the busyness and stress of Christmas can often drown out the season of Advent.Before shopping, traveling, and decorating totally take over, help your family remember that the focus during Advent is preparing for Jesus. Take time each day to invite the Lord into this season and reflect on the meaning of Jesus' Incarnation - Christ humbling himself to enter our human world.Consider saying this short prayer together as a family each day during Advent. Write it down or print it out and place it somewhere obvious like your refrigerator or dinner table as a reminder to pray together each day.Heavenly Father, give us the grace to know and feel your infinite love for us.
Lord Jesus, open our hearts to prepare for your coming at Christmas and help us to recognize the amazing gift of your life and love.
O Holy Spirit, guide us in all that we do this Advent season, may it always bring us closer to you.
Amen.
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3rd Week of Advent
What's Unique About Advent?
The world today is obsessed with the thought that we can save ourselves. People often look to politics, self-help books, diet, or exercise thinking these things can "save us".Advent responds with a resounding, "No". No, we cannot save ourselves. Only the Lord can save us.At the heart of the season of Advent is the idea that we need God, we need his coming, his presence, and his salvation.This Advent, look for ways to surrender your life more fully to Christ. Look for ways to prepare your heart and invite the Lord into it.O come, O come, Emmanuel.
And ransom captive Israel;
that mourns in lonely exile here,
until the Son of God appears.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.
Download readings and reflections for the week -
4th Week of Advent
Three Comings of Christ Prepare us for Advent
What is the meaning of Advent? How can we truly prepare for Christ during this holy season?The word "advent" means "arrival". The season of Advent is the time in which we prepare for the arrival of Christ.But which arrival? There are in fact three comings, or arrivals, of Christ; his arrival in history (the first Christmas), his arrival in the present moment, and his future arrival at the Second Coming.
Advent is a beautiful time to reflect on all three of these "arrivals" of Christ and truly prepare our hearts for the Lord so that he might more fully enter into them.Let this Advent season be a time of prayer and meditation as you reflect on the coming of Christ - in the past, present, and future.
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Christmas
BLESSING OF A CHRISTMAS CRÈCHE OR MANGER SCENE
The manger scene has a special place near the Christmas tree or in another place where family members can reflect and pray during the Christmas season. It may be blessed each year on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
All make the sign of the cross.
Leader: We are at the beginning of the days of Christmas. All through the season we will look on these images of sheep and cattle, of shepherds, of Mary and of Joseph and Jesus.
Reading: Luke 2: 1-7. All respond: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The figure of the Christ Child may be placed in the manger. All join in prayers of intercession and in the Lord’s Prayer.
Leader: Pray now for God’s blessing as we look on these figures. God of Mary and Joseph, of shepherds and animals, bless us whenever we gaze on this manger scene. Through all the days of Christmas may these figures tell the story of how humans, angels, and animals found Christ in this poor place. Fill our house with hospitality, joy, gentleness, and thanksgiving and guide our steps in the way of peace. Amen.
Close by singing your favorite hymn or Christmas carol.
—Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers published by the USCCB. -
Feast of the Holy Family
Encountering Jesus as a Family
We're not meant to experience the love of Jesus all alone. Just as the Lord entered the world through a family, He can enter our hearts through our family.Here are a few simple ways you and your family can encounter the love of Christ together this Advent and Christmas season.
Inviting the Lord into Your Home
One of the most familiar parts of the Christmas story is the humble "home" within which Jesus was born. There was no room for Mary and Joseph within the inn at Bethlehem, so the King of Kings was born in a simple stable and placed in a manger.Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus entered our world through the meekness and humility of the Holy Family. This year, you have a beautiful opportunity to invite Jesus into your hearts with your family.There is no better way, and no better place, to grow in your relationship with the Lord, than at home with your family. This holy season of Advent and Christmas is a special time you can encounter Jesus together, and invite him into your home and your hearts.Little ways to invite Jesus into your home:- Keep a journal of all the people your family is praying for
- Read the Mass readings together as a family before each Sunday
- Begin each morning, and end each evening, with prayer as a family
- Ask a priest to bless your home and dedicate your family to the Lord
- Setup a small prayer table in your house with your family Bible, rosaries, and devotionals
Discuss as a family: What other ways can you invite Jesus into your home?
Download a Holy Family coloring sheet -
The Epiphany of the LordThe song "We Three Kings" details the gifts of the Magi, but do you know what you're singing?"Born a king on Bethlehem's plan, gold I bring to crown Him again." This one is the most straightforward - gold symbolizes the Kingship of Christ."Myrrh is mine: its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom." Myrrh is an embalming spice. Already at Christ's birth, we have the symbolic reminder of his death."Frankincense to offer have I. Incense owns a deity nigh." In many religious traditions, incense symbolizes prayers rising to heaven. In some pagan traditions, it is thought to help "call down" the deity. The gift of frankincense symbolizes Jesus' role as the Great High Priest, sanctifying the world through his sacrifice ©LPi
Epiphany Blessing of the Home
—The traditional date of Epiphany is January 6, but in the United States it is celebrated on the
Sunday between January 2 and January 8—
Celebrate Epiphany by using chalk to mark your door (or the space above or next to your door) with:
20 + C + M + B + 25
The numbers represent the new year, and the letters in the middle represent both the Latin phrase “Christus Mansionem Benedicat” (“May Christ bless this house”) as well as the names of the wise men (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar). It serves as a reminder to your family and all guests who pass through your door to seek Christ each day and share His light and love with everyone you meet.
After you mark your door, use this prayer to bless your home. You may end the celebration by singing a suitable song, for example “O Come, All Ye Faithful” or “We Three Kings.”
Lord God of heaven and earth,
You revealed your only begotten Son
to every nation by the guidance of a star.
Bless this house and all who inhabit it.
Fill us with the light of Christ,
That our concern for others may reflect your love.
May Christ Jesus dwell with us,
keep us from all harm,
and make us one in mind and heart,
now and forever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
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