Family Advent Customs

Family Advent Customs is a little book by Helen McLoughlin that has been made available online here. It includes descriptions and histories of some Advent traditions as well as recipes and information on saints. It begins:

WE AWAIT A SAVIOR

Advent is the beginning of the new liturgical year. It is a season of spiritual preparation, marked by eager longing for the coming of the Saviour through grace at Christmas, and for His second and final coming.

It suggests:

As a rule it is best to begin with one or two customs and add others in years to come. It is also highly desirable that families develop their own
special customs, at least by adapting traditional ones to their personal circumstances. Once established, customs recall to older members of the family long forgotten practices of their own childhood. These have a special appeal because they belonged to our forefathers and link us to the wealth of national customs now fallen into disuse.

Traditions keyed to Advent are a beautiful way to get into the spirit of the season -to look forward to the coming of Christ.