Ascension is offering a 26-day video series called “Waiting Well: Advent with Fr. Mike Schmitz” on their app, starting November 30th, to guide viewers on preparing for Christmas. Father Mike Schmitz will lead the video series, which includes daily five-minute reflections on Mass readings, Scripture verses, and reflection questions. Weekly homily videos by Schmitz during Advent are available for free on YouTube, while the daily reflections are exclusive to the Ascension app. A printed journal, “Waiting Well,” is available to complement the video series, offering daily prompts for prayer and reflection. Hallow is bringing back its annual “Advent Prayer Challenge” starting December 1st, featuring Jonathan Roumie, Chris Pratt, Gwen Stefani, and Father John Burns.
23 days ago
As Advent approaches on November 30, 2025, Catholic media outlets offer various tools to foster spiritual growth and preparation for Christmas. These resources emphasize reflection, prayer, and family involvement to deepen connection with Christ amid holiday busyness.1
Father Mike Schmitz leads a 26-day video series starting November 30 on the Ascension app, unpacking daily Mass readings with Scripture, catechism, and reflection questions. Weekly homilies are free on YouTube, while daily content requires a subscription or trial; a companion journal aids 15-minute daily reflections.1
Launching December 1, this audio series features Jonathan Roumie, Chris Pratt, Gwen Stefani, and several priests guiding meditations on stillness inspired by Mary. Sessions include reflections on "The Reed of God" by Caryll Houselander, "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry" by John Mark Comer, saints' lives, imaginative prayer, and Sunday homilies.1
The "In Time" devotional for women, by Claire Dwyer, explores God's presence in waiting through daily Scripture, prayer, and reflections. "Feast" for men, by Paul George, draws from the prodigal son story to encourage renewal with hope and humility; both include structured daily practices.1
For children over 7, "Watch and Wait" by Olivia Spears offers prayers, reflections, and activities to build joyful anticipation of Christ's birth.1
Available on Formed, this four-episode series (12-15 minutes each) delves into Advent traditions like calendars, wreaths, Jesse Trees, and Nativity scenes. It aims to inspire purposeful engagement with the season's rituals for joyful expectation.1
The Religious Catalogue features "Encountering Emmanuel" by Heather Khym, a guided journal for prayer and meditation cohosted on the "Abiding Together" podcast. "The True Gifts of Christmas" by Megan Alexander examines the profound meanings behind holiday traditions.1
Investigate Catholic guidance on Advent devotion
Advent, the liturgical season leading up to Christmas, invites Catholics to deepen their spiritual lives through focused preparation for Christ's coming—in history through his birth, in mystery through the Eucharist, and in hope at the end of time. Drawing from papal teachings and traditional sources, Catholic guidance emphasizes a blend of liturgical prayer, personal reflection, repentance, and joyful expectation. This devotion is not mere ritual but a transformative journey to ready the soul as a fitting dwelling for the Savior, fostering vigilance, conversion, and peace amid daily life. Key elements include the Church's structured liturgy, prophetic inspirations, Marian mediation, and practical acts like the Christmas Novena, all aimed at awakening authentic hope in God's incarnate love.
The Church's calendar marks Advent as beginning on the Sunday nearest to the feast of St. Andrew (November 30), spanning four Sundays and lasting between 21 and 28 days. This season initiates the ecclesiastical year in the Western Church, setting a tone of solemn anticipation rather than penitential gloom like Lent. The liturgy calls the faithful to adore "the Lord the King that is to come" and to recognize him as "already near," whose glory will soon be revealed. Lessons from the prophet Isaiah dominate the readings, denouncing Israel's ingratitude while foretelling the Messiah's suffering, death, and glory, alongside the gathering of Gentiles to the holy mountain. These elements underscore Advent's dual focus: commemorating the Incarnation and preparing for Christ's final judgment.
In this framework, devotion involves immersing oneself in the Church's prayer cycle. The Invitatory for Matins urges ministers and laity alike to prepare souls as "fitting abodes for the Redeemer." Pope John Paul II highlighted how the liturgy echoes Isaiah's call: "Say to those who are fearful of heart: Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God... will come and save you" (Is 35:4), growing more urgent as Christmas nears. This preparation relives the shepherds' awe at Bethlehem, contemplating the Word made flesh with Mary and Joseph for humanity's redemption. Thus, Advent devotion is liturgical at its core, weaving scriptural prophecy with communal worship to cultivate inner readiness.
Central to Advent guidance is the theme of watchful waiting, balancing hope with conversion. The liturgy portrays Christ as Emmanuel, "God-with-us," born in Bethlehem amid angelic announcements, John's birth, and the Magi's arrival—signs affirming his divinity. Pope John Paul II described three "guides" for this attitude: Isaiah, proclaiming hope to exiles and urging vigilance for Messianic signs; John the Baptist, the "voice crying in the wilderness" who baptizes for repentance as the prerequisite to recognizing the Messiah (Mk 1:4); and Mary, whose fiat contrasts Eve's disobedience, illuminating the path to Bethlehem. These figures direct believers to pray alertly, repent sincerely, and embrace God's plan without reservation.
Repentance is practical, often manifesting in increased sacramental life. During Advent, confessionals fill as the faithful open their consciences to the approaching Lord, mirroring ancient Israel's prophetic expectation. Children, in particular, embody this joy, eagerly counting days to the "Rorate" Masses at dawn—named for Isaiah 45:8's plea, "Drop down dew, O ye heavens"—symbolizing heaven's descent to earth. Pope Benedict XVI elaborated that meaningful waiting transforms time: when filled with Christ's presence, even trials become bearable, turning expectation into "interiorized joy" that no suffering can erase. This joy stems from God becoming a child in poverty, a mystery relived through Sacred Scripture, the liturgical year, saints, and daily events. Devotion here means pausing amid distractions—entertainment, societal pressures—to discern God's loving hints, perhaps through an "interior journal" of his interventions.
A hallmark of Advent devotion is the Novena from December 17 to 24, intensifying preparation for the Savior's birth. The Church's "wise programme" includes daily points for prayer and reflection, echoing Old Testament prophets who sustained Israel's hope. This culminates in the "O" antiphons, sung at Vespers and before the Gospel, addressing Christ with poetic titles drawn from Scripture: "O Wisdom from the mouth of the Most High," "O Root of Jesse," "O Key of David," "O Rising Sun," "O King of the Nations," "O Emmanuel." These appeals express humanity's cry for peace and salvation, fulfilled only in the God-man.
Through them, the Church voices all peoples' longings, imploring the Savior's birth while committing to Gospel renewal. Preparation extends beyond the soul to one's environment, demanding docility to truth and a worthy "dwelling place." Pope John Paul II noted how these antiphons, recited daily by priests, foster a profound closeness to the Lord, blending personal and communal devotion. In practice, families and parishes might incorporate these into evening prayer, reflecting on each title to stir conversion and peace.
Advent uniquely integrates devotion to Mary, balancing Christocentric focus with her role as Mother. The liturgy invites the faithful to emulate her vigilant prayer and joyful praise while awaiting the Son with "inexpressible love." As the Woman of the "yes," Mary models total surrender to God's plan, becoming a "clear light" and "highest model" for believers. Pope Benedict XVI presented her as the "faithful disciple" supporting deep joy in waiting, obtaining graces for alertness and diligence.
This orientation prevents isolating Marian piety from Christ, ensuring Advent as a prime time for such devotion. Guidance encourages contemplating Mary's expectancy alongside the Messiah's twofold advent—historical and eschatological—fostering a "happy balance in worship." Simple acts, like praying the Magnificat or reflecting on the Annunciation, align personal devotion with the season's spirit.
Catholic teachings stress that Advent is not abstract but actionable, relating ancient truths to contemporary struggles. In a world of impatience and uncertainty, waiting risks emptiness unless infused with Christ's meaning—through Scripture, liturgy, and sacraments. Believers are called to view life as a "visit" from God, responding to his presence in suffering, questions, and joys. Practical steps include daily Scripture meditation on Isaiah, participation in Rorate Masses or Novena prayers, frequent confession, and family traditions like Advent wreaths symbolizing growing light.
For families, children's enthusiasm—counting "rungs" on a heavenly ladder to Bethlehem—can inspire adults to rediscover wonder. Parishes might host reflections on the O antiphons, emphasizing repentance as John preached. Ultimately, devotion prepares not just for December 25 but for ongoing encounters with Christ in the Eucharist and at life's end.
In summary, Catholic guidance on Advent devotion, rooted in liturgy and papal wisdom, calls for a vigilant, joyful preparation that transforms waiting into encounter. By following Isaiah's hope, John's call to repentance, Mary's fiat, and the Church's prayers, believers ready their hearts for Emmanuel, finding peace in his enduring presence. May this season draw you deeper into the mystery of the Incarnation, fostering renewal that echoes beyond Christmas.