Advent is a penitential season, but it doesn’t have the same gravity that Lent seems to have. There is an undeniable joy that seeps through in Advent. The expectation of the coming of the Christ Child makes this time of preparation a bit different than Lent. After all, Jesus is coming to live with us in our celebration of Christmas. Lent reminds us that Jesus is going to die for us.Â
There is still benefit in honoring the penitential time of Advent. Making sacrifices, serving the poor, and keeping things a bit quieter than the worldly celebration of Christmas help us prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus.Â
So, these Advent recipes include not only some fish dishes (abstinence from meat and the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes for Christmas Eve), but also some sweets and fun. There are also lots of saints’ feast days during Advent. Check out those recipes too: St. Nicholas, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Lucy, etc.Â
Fish for Penitential Advent & Feast of the Seven Fishes
Advent Sweets
Las Posadas during Advent
Las Posadas is a traditional celebration of the Birth of Christ in Mexico. It is celebrated between December 16 and 24, commemorating the journey that Joseph and Mary took from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus.Â
Each night, children dress up as the Holy Family and angels, going from house to house asking for lodging. Each house turns the procession away, but offers refreshments. The final home hosts a party at the end of the pilgrimage, with a feast, sweets, and a piñata.Â
1st Sunday of Advent: Stir-Up Sunday
“Stir up the wills of Thy faithful people, we beseech Thee, O Lord!”These words appear in the traditional Collect on the first Sunday of Advent, giving it its nickname of “Stir-Up Sunday.” This gave rise to a tradition of preparing a plum pudding or fruit cake, a dessert that needs to be “stirred up.” Since these cakes taste better the longer they sit, creating them at the beginning of Advent ensures they’ll be perfect by Christmas.
2nd Sunday of Advent: John the Baptist
On the second Sunday of Advent, we’re called to reflect on the role of John the Baptist who prepared the way for Jesus. Celebrate with some fun St. John the Baptist snacks.Â
3rd Sunday of Advent: Gaudete Sunday
On the third Sunday of Advent, we light the pink candle, symbolizing the joy and anticipation of Christmas. It’s getting close! To celebrate, take a break from the penitential season of Advent, and do some Christmas baking.Â
4th Sunday of Advent:
The fourth Sunday of Advent brings us closer to Christmas and the coming of the Christ Child.Â
More Ways to Celebrate Advent
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The Catholic Kids' Cookbook: Holy Days and Heavenly Food -
Cooking With the Saints -
The Vatican Cookbook: Presented by the Pontifical Swiss Guard -
Dining with the Saints: The Sinner's Guide to a Righteous Feast -
Feast Day Cookbook; The Traditional Catholic Feast Day Dishes of Many Lands -
The Catholic Table: Finding Joy Where Food and Faith Meet -
Catholics in the Kitchen: Nurturing the Bond between Faith and Food -
The Lenten Cookbook
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The Vatican Christmas Cookbook
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The Food and Feasts of Jesus: The Original Mediterranean Diet, with Menus and Re...
