Living Liturgically this Christmas

By Amanda MacMurtrie

Imagine a Christmas season that actually fills your cup and nourishes your spirit. What would it look like?

Would it mean carving out dedicated time for quiet and prayer? Would you become more aware of the sacred in your daily responsibilities? Or perhaps you would have strength to endure the stress and tension that are so common to the season. Perhaps it would look like being fully present during family visits? Finding bursts of joy in the humble and ordinary?

As dusk falls earlier and commercials begin filling up our consumer awareness, we might find ourselves bracing for the season. We want to truly enter into Advent, truly prepare for the coming of the King. We don’t want to find ourselves on Christmas feeling depleted and worn out instead of pondering the mystery of Bethlehem.

Whatever your state in life – wrangling little ones, preparing for the first Christmas without a loved one, or coordinating an ambitious choir schedule – here are some ideas to enter more deeply into this liturgical season:

1. Surround yourself with beauty

Holy places can draw us out of ourselves and prime us for prayer and adoration. With a little intention, it is possible to bring this spirit of reflection and worship to the spaces we spend most of our time, from our homes to our cars and offices. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Carved Wooden Crucifix – House of Joppa

Meditating with a Crucifix is a beautiful tradition that has brought countless Catholics into greater intimacy with God. The mystery of the Incarnation only deepens in contemplation of Christ’s passion on the Cross. This cross pairs natural wood and intricate details to draw your gaze so you can enter more earnestly into prayer.

Sacred Art by Kate Capato

Nativity Set

Every Nativity Scene expresses something special about the night Jesus was born: the closeness of parents and child, the beauty of the Incarnation, the humility of the stable, the spousal love of Jesus and Mary.  Whether a full scene at the Bethlehem stable (like this 16-piece set), an abstract or minimal scene, (like this Carved Olive Wood Nativity or this terracotta one), a modern and sculptural interpretation (like this statue), or cozy and baby-friendly introduction to Holy Night (like this plush, linen set), a unique Nativity scene can focus our prayer and bring new life to classic traditions.

2. Dive into our faith’s rich liturgical traditions

Participating in traditions is a powerful way to become united with Christ through connection to His Church. These items are more than just tools; they are guides on the way of beauty that form your mind and bolster your creative expression of the faith.

Living the Seasons Book by Erica Tighe Campbell – Be a Heart

Re-energize the expression of your faith through this beautiful book full of original ideas for celebrating holy days, feast days, and liturgical seasons. With clear directions and imaginative activities, this book is an evergreen resource to bring your family close to the Lord and inspire hospitality and connection with others.

The Illustrated Liturgical Year Calendar: Christmas Cycle by Michaela Harrison – The Catholic Company

It’s so easy to get swept up in the commercial pacing of the holiday and to become dull to the vibrancy of the liturgical year. This illustrated calendar is both a work of art and an accessible tool to enter more deeply into our Catholic tradition. Through unique imagery and records of feasts and fasts, these four posters help orient the ordinary day toward the sacred. Each day, ponder the mysteries of our faith and ground your life in the rhythm of the Church.

3. Awaken your senses

The winter chill, the smell of the Christmas liturgy, the sound of carols and hymns of praise – there is no better way to prepare for Christmas than to become immersed in our senses. The mystery of the incarnation dignifies our humanity in an expression of radical humility. Through our senses, we can encounter God in our daily lives, so that we can encounter Him all the more powerfully when we approach the Eucharistic Feast.

Smell

Gifts for a King Candle with frankincense and myrrh – Corda Candles

Inspired by the Feast of the Epiphany, this sweet and spicy candle reminds us of the devotion and longing of the three wise men. Just as the gifts given to the infant Jesus point to His kingship and passion, this candle reminds us that we share in Christ’s humanity so that we might rise with Him into new life. Scents are powerful reminders of memories and the ritual of lighting a candle can help create an atmosphere for stillness and prayer. 

Cassia Oil – Abba Anointing Oils

Laudate Incense – by St. Jude Shop, Inc.

The use of incense in worship practices predates Christianity as Jewish and Egyptian cultures enjoyed it in abundance. However, in the context of the liturgy, incense richly symbolizes the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Its fragrant aroma can enhance any liturgical celebration, prayer space or home chapel. Perhaps this Advent, you can immerse yourself in the sacred tradition of incense. These blends are crafted by Trappist monks!

Sight & Sound

Beautiful music has the capacity to focus our attention and heighten our sensitivity to the movement of the Holy Spirit. It can move us beyond words into an experience of prayer. These Visio Divina bundles feature sacred art and a song download that can bring beauty wherever you are, whether on your commute or in the kitchen.

St. Joseph Visio Divina Bundle – by Kate Capato and Pawel Machura

Art and music come together to offer this intimate moment between St. Joseph and the child Jesus for your contemplation and encouragement.

The Lily Visio Divina Bundle – by Kate Capato and Pawel Machura

Taste

Preparing a table is an immersive sensory experience from start to finish: the physicality of cooking, the tasting of flavor, and the community sharing bring us into a real expression of being a part of the Body of Christ. From warm, spicy soups to fresh, juicy fruit pies, the right food can transform a holiday into a celebration. Here are a few inspiring options:

Pray Like a Gourmet: Creative Ways to Feed Your Soul by David Brazzeal is a fun and profound combination of reflection, instruction, and innovation. Brazzeal connects recipes to different expressions of prayer to truly let each meal be a thanksgiving. 

The Vatican Christmas Cookbook by Swiss Guard Chef David Geisser celebrates the joys of Christmas cooking through delicious recipes, vibrant art, and storytelling. This book serves as both reference and inspiration to bring you deeper into the mystery of the season.

It’s easy to get swept up in the noise of the season, but a little intention goes a long way. Through surrounding ourselves with beauty, digging into the traditions of our faith, and letting our senses be awakened, we might find ourselves refreshed and enlivened this Christmas season.