It’s Advent! Since it’s a favorite season of ours, we just had to devote a whole episode to Advent chat.  It’s such a lovely time of year, but if we’re not careful we can take on a whole load of stress instead of enjoy a season of refreshment and renewal. We wanted to talk about the Advent struggle and what we’ve learned over the years about being nourished by observing Advent and avoiding the pressure of making Christmas perfect.

In this episode we share about how we observe Advent with our families, how we bring quiet into our homes (and into our own whirring brains!), the importance of self-care so we don’t get burnt out before Christmas, and (of course) what we like reading during this season.

So grab a cup of holiday tea and enjoy!

Music for Advent we talked about:

Advent Playlist: Wonder: Carrots for Michaelmas

Advent Playlist: Sleepers, Wake!: Carrots for Michaelmas

Advent at Ephesus by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Book Suggestions for Advent we talked about:

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas

The Reed of God by Carryl Houselander

Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict XVI

Blessed is She Advent Journal by Elizabeth Foss

Comfort & Joy: Living the Liturgy Through the Advent Season by  Elizabeth Foss

The Little Oratory: A Beginner’s Guide to Praying in the Home by Leila Lawler

The Catholic Woman’s Companion (Planner by Nancy Bandzuch that Haley loves)  And here’s a discount code for it (not sure when it expires,