With the beginning of Advent, and only a few weeks until Our Savior’s birth at Christmas, many people are thinking of their favorite traditions. MODG News has interviewed a few of the Mother of Divine Grace high school students and teachers about their favorite traditions. Be sure to tell us your favorite Christmas traditions in our POLL at the end of this story!
MODG Teachers:
Mrs. Moore:
Every night, Mrs. Moore and her family light their Advent wreath, but on Gaudete Sunday- the third Sunday in Advent, they get their real tree. Mrs. Moore says, “This allows us to focus on the season at hand, not jump ahead to celebrate Christmas quite yet.” Since most of Mrs. Moore’s children sing in the choir, they usually attend Christmas Eve Mass. Afterwards they go home for supper, and her children are allowed to open one gift. She adds, “They have finally figured out that one present is new PJ’s every year.”
Mrs. Ayala:
When her children were growing up, one of Mrs. Ayala’s favorite traditions was the cloth Advent calendar with Nativity scene figurines. Every day they would take out the figure from the perspective day and attach it the outside of the pocket with Velcro. Mrs. Ayala adds: “My son loved this tradition so much that he asked to take this calendar with him when he moved into his own apartment last year. So the tradition continues.”
12th Grade:
Lonán M:
Lonán and her family try to acknowledge all the feast days as a family, such as St. Nicholas Day, when her mother puts out chocolate coins. As the Advent season progresses, they set up their Nativity scene and use their Advent calendar. Lonán says, “I really like this, because it allows us to fully acknowledge Advent.” She also enjoys Christmas baking, especially gingerbread houses! Before her family leaves for the Vigil Mass, they decorate and once they are home, they watch It’s a Wonderful Life, and each open one present. Lonán also makes Christmas cards, re-reads A Christmas Carol, fasts, and attends daily Mass as some of her traditions.
Gabriel L:
Gabriel’s favorite traditions begin on Christmas Eve. His family does not listen to Christmas Music until Christmas Day, but, as Gabriel says, “this discipline gives us the freedom to better enjoy these sacred (and secular) Christmas tunes on and long after Christmas Day.” For Christmas Eve dinner, his family makes a meatless soup as Christmas Eve was meant as a day of fasting. Gabriel adds, “Finally, before my parents put my little siblings to bed, we process around the house by candlelight to place several images of Baby Jesus in crèches throughout our home. Then, it is but a few restless hours of sleep before we drive off to attend Midnight Mass in all its glory.”
11th Grade:
Cecelia S:
Cecilia’s favorite Advent tradition is the St. Andrew’s Novena she prays with her family every Advent season. The St. Andrew’s Novena is repeated fifteen times a day and is said from November 30th until Christmas Eve. Cecilia says, “So, everyday from November 30th ‘till Christmas Eve, my whole family gathers together in the living room after dinner to recite the St. Andrew’s novena together, using our homemade 15-bead counters, in the presence of our lighted advent candles.”
10th Grade:
Olivia B:
Olivia’s favorite Advent tradition is the Jesse tree, as she says, “My family and I made the ornaments ourselves years ago. So, it’s really special to us because each ornament we made has a little story behind it.” Her favorite Christmas tradition is her family’s Secret Santa. Olivia says, “On the feast of St. Nicholas my family and I will draw from a hat filled with everyone’s names, and then whoever’s name we got, we would be their Secret Santa.”
Lucia C:
Lucia’s favorite Christmas tradition is an Italian-American tradition that has been passed down in her family. It is called Feast of the Seven Fishes, or La Vigilia, which refers to Christmas Eve. She says, “Every Christmas Eve my mother cooks, of course, seven fishes for dinner. She’ll usually make some pasta dishes and just basic fish dishes as well. It’s overall a very special tradition of my family’s heritage which is why I love it so much!”
9th Grade:
Allison S:
Allison’s favorite Advent tradition is the countdown calendars, as she says, “I love being able to, day by day, mark off the days until Christmas!” For her favorite Christmas tradition, it is giving gifts. Allison remarks, “It’s fun to receive gifts but also finding things that you know would give someone joy and seeing the look on their face when they receive it!”
William K:
William’s favorite Advent traditions are making homemade Advent candles and seeing his county’s light display. His favorite Christmas traditions are visiting with family and and the delicious Christmas food, as he says, “My mom makes awesome Christmas food such as shrimp and grits, fudge pie, and enchiladas. She also makes great hot chocolate.”
Finally, we hope you have enjoyed hearing about these various and unique traditions! Please fill out the poll below and tell us what YOUR favorite tradition is.
