Advent 2021 is Year C in the Sunday liturgical cycle and Year 2 in the weekday cycle.
Resources for December 2021:
St. Francis Xavier
Friday, December 3
St. Francis Xavier was one of the first members of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He and St. Ignatius of Loyala were roommates at the University of Paris. St. Ignatius was forming the new order, and…
2nd Sunday in Advent – Year C (2021)
Sunday, December 5
The readings for the Second Sunday in Advent for Year C tell us to hopefully look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. God has planned this since the beginning of time. These readings lend themselves to a discussion of…
St. Nicholas
Monday, December 6
December 6 is the feast day of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was a third century bishop who is the origin of the Santa Claus story. He was known for his generosity and his habit of secret gift giving.
St. Ambrose, Bishop and Doctor
Tuesday, December 7
St. Ambrose was a 4th century bishop. He refuted Arianism, which proposed that Jesus Christ was not co-eternal with God the Father, and therefore was subject to the Father. He is also credited with antiphonal chant.
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wednesday, December 8
December 8 is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This holy day is often misunderstood. It celebrates the conception of Mary, not Jesus.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Sunday, December 12
December 12 is the feast day of the Our Lady of Guadalupe. She appeared to Juan Diego, a Native American, in 1531 and her image miraculously appeared on his cloak.
3rd Sunday in Advent – Year C (2021)
Sunday, December 12
The readings for the Third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete Sunday) for Year C encourage us to rejoice at the new life being offered to us through Jesus Christ. This would be a good time to discuss the Incarnation. Why did…
St. Lucy (or St. Lucia)
Monday, December 13
December 13 is the feast day of St. Lucy (or St. Lucia). Lucia means “light”. St. Lucy is the patroness of the blind, martyrs, epidemics; salesmen, throat infections, and writers.
St. John of the Cross
Tuesday, December 14
December 14 is the feast day of St. John of the Cross. He was a sixteenth century mystic and poet who worked with St. Teresa of Avila to reform the Carmelite order.
4th Sunday in Advent – Year C (2021)
Sunday, December 19
The readings for the Fourth Sunday in Advent for Year C focus on hospitality, history, and family. These readings might lead into a discussion of what it means to welcome and greet another person. They also make us think about…
Christmas Day – The Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord
Saturday, December 25
The Christmas season starts on December 25 and concludes on the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. It includes the Feast of the Epiphany.
The Feast of the Holy Family – Year C (2021)
Sunday, December 26
The readings for the Feast of the Holy Family for Year C focus on consecration, holiness, and sacred spaces. This is a good time to think about our own sacred spaces – our church, our prayer space at home, and…
St. Stephen Protomartyr
Sunday, December 26
December 26 is the feast day of St. Stephen, the first martyr. He was a deacon in the early Church. He was accused of blasphemy and stoned to death.
St. John the Evangelist
Monday, December 27
St. John the Evangelist was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. He is the author of the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. His feast day is December 27.
Holy Innocents
Tuesday, December 28
December 28 is the feast day of the Holy Innocents. This day commemorates the children who were executed by Herod in fear that the newborn messiah would take his throne.
St. Thomas Becket
Wednesday, December 29
December 29 is the feast day of St. Thomas Becket, Martyr. He was the chancellor of King Henry II and was later appointed as Archbishop of Canterbury.