Preparation:
1. Advent book
It’s so hard to believe it’s that time of the year again, but once again it is time to start planning for a fruitful Advent.  For the past number of year, our family has been using a book. Yes, a physical book to guide us through advent. We use Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas, by Ann Voskamp. It is beautiful, and our kids which range for 5-13 have all enjoyed the stories and the images. It isn’t for everyone or every family. But it has worked for us. It does get good reviews  on Amazon, and other sellers. You can find it and purchase it on Amazon. Catholic warning though. :) If you are looking for something to follow exact Catholic teaching, this isn’t it. It is flowery, and it’s a story. When we try things for our family we look for something that can engage all of them, and get them to engage with the Lord.Â
Based on the overwhelming success of The Greatest Gift, Ann Voskamp has expanded her presentation of the timeless Advent tradition of the Jesse Tree so families can celebrate together.
2. The Confession App $1.99
A great Confession assistance app.
No Longer Available.
The Confession App prepares you in a gentle and comforting way for the Catholic sacrament of Confession (Reconciliation). A grace emphasized introduction section helps you understand the place and history of the Sacrament of Confession. In the preparation section, you make your way through the some guidance questions. You can then place a check mark next to items you’d like to confess and they appear in the Confession Guide section for use during Confession.
3. Word Among Us Monthly Subscribe (I do)
A great Catholic scripture reference app, provides you with the daily readings.
I love “The Word Among Us“, and always have. Although I haven’t always been a faithful subscriber to the magazine, any time I’m able to get my hands on a copy of the monthly devotional, I LOVE it! My parish always has a few extra copies during the year, and orders in many extra for Advent and Lent.
The daily readings so easily accessible, the daily meditations so pertinent to daily life, the additional inspirational stories- all of it just speaks to my soul! You can try it for 14 days FREE.
Read our review here.
4. Set the tone with Spotify Free
Spotify is the best way to listen to music on mobile or tablet, get inspired with Catholic Music any time of the year.
I suggest spotify, because it has a free tier, that you can listen to a lot of Catholic Music, but to listen for free, you will have to tolerate ads. If you want to skip the ads, you can, just subscribe. Check out this playlist  Catholic advent music. If they aren’t your style, find someone you love listening to and use if for you, or your family to set the mood for Advent and then Christmas.
Matt Maher, Audrey Assad, are some of my personal favourites. Audrey just worked with Paul Cardall for a Christmas album. Check it out.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
5. Xt3 Advent Calendar 2018
Welcome to Xt3’s Advent Calendar for 2018. This is a Christian calendar well suited for youth groups, parishes, schools, or for your own personal Advent journey.
Welcome to Xt3’s Advent Calendar for 2018. (iTunes and Google Play)This is a Christian calendar well suited for youth groups, parishes, schools, or for your own personal Advent journey.
Each day you will see a new feature, including a daily reflection, Gospel reading, as well as a multimedia item of interest.
You will only be able to view the calendar features up to the present date. The first calendar feature will appear on 2 December 2018, the first Sunday of Advent.
An internet connection will be required to view linked content, so make sure you have adequate data allowance with your device when using the Advent Calendar.
Xt3.com and the Xt3 Advent Calendar is an evangelisation project of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney produced in partnership with Sydney Catholic Youth.
[appimg 477943115]6. Magnificat Advent Companion 2018 $1.99
Welcome to the Advent Companion App, a perfect way to live Advent to the full this year.
We have reviewed this app each year, and it is wonderful. A great companion to take you through Advent! (they have others for the rest of the year too.)
(iTunes and Google Play)
Presented in a day-by-day format, the Advent Companion App contains:
- LITURGY – daily Mass, prayers and Scripture readings
- PRAYERS – a cycle of prayers for morning, evening and night inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours
- MEDITATION – daily original meditations on the Gospel reading by eighteen gifted authors
Each issue of the Advent Companion is never the same as the last and contains these one-of-a-kind extras that you won’t find anywhere else:
- a variety of beautiful blessings and essays
- an Advent Penance Service
- specially-commissioned poetry
- a unique feature: the Advent Stations
For only $2.29
If you like this Advent Companion App, you’ll want to try the Magnificat App too!
[appimg 1441977462]7. Relevant Radio Free
Relevant Radio brings you “Talk Radio for Catholic Life”.
Relevant Radio brings you “Talk Radio for Catholic Life”. Relevant Radio creates a community of hope. Through this personal and intimate forum of communications, hope is rekindled, marriages are saved, souls draw closer to Christ and His Church, and the Truth sets many free. Be a part of this amazing journey!
With the Relevant Radio App, you have easy access to our live stream, podcasts, audio prayers, and stay on top of the latest news. You can also submit a prayer request, make a donation and more!
We included it because they are going to cover advent in almost all of their streams. Why? Because it is LIVE streams. That makes it relevant! We have a review of it here.
8. Bible – Catholic Study
Over 100 Lighthouse Talks • FREE Audio Bible Commentary from Dr. Scott Hahn
The Catholic Study Bible App features a FREE electronic version of the entire Catholic Bible, RSV Second Catholic Edition (RSV-2CE), packed with incredible content from Ignatius Press, Lighthouse Catholic Media, and the Augustine Institute that brings Sacred Scripture to life.
Finally, be sure to download the “Truth and Life Dramatized Audio New Testament.” We are so proud to offer this award-winning radio drama that we are giving away the whole Gospel of John for FREE! This amazing audio New Testament is endorsed with an Imprimatur from the Vatican and includes a foreword by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. 70 actors – 20 audio engineers – 10 studios over 3 continents – more than 100 media development experts – and 10,000 production hours were needed to create this world-class audio New Testament. We have a review over here!
9. Rosary
https://www.facebook.com/AscensionPress/videos/2311393389091872/
RosaryPlusRD $1.99
There’s something about praying a rosary that makes me long for beauty, especially when I’m staring at a glowing screen for my inspiration.
“…It’s beautiful. There’s something about praying a rosary that makes me long for beauty, especially when I’m staring at a glowing screen for my inspiration.”
This app delivers. Check out the description below. Purchase it here.
Whether you are just learning or have been praying the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy and the Chaplet of St Michael for as many years as your teeth are old, we hope and pray you will find this App useful and beneficial for your spiritual life.
Additionally, we have found it an extremely helpful method of teaching these prayers to others.
If you have elderly parents or grandparents or visit the elderly in Nursing Homes or Assisted Living Facilities, consider praying this App with them while meditating on each of the scriptural references included, and their images. 

We were surprised how quickly and easily it was in teaching a child to pray the Rosary or Chaplets for the first time using this beautifully designed App!
10. Media Movies (Not Catholic, BUT FUN Movies for Family Time)
There is time during Advent to have a look at some Christmas movies, and then there is family time too. Check out these two recommendations. These two are NOT theologically sound. Look for other recommendations on movies for that. These are FUNNY, and different takes on scripture. Enjoy time with your families.
The Star
In Sony Pictures Animation’s The Star, a small but brave donkey named Bo yearns for a life beyond his daily grind at the village mill. One day he finds the courage to break free, and finally goes on the adventure of his dreams. On his journey, he teams up with Ruth, a lovable sheep who has lost her flock and Dave, a dove with lofty aspirations. Along with three wisecracking camels and some eccentric stable animals, Bo and his new friends follow the Star and become accidental heroes in the greatest story ever told – the first Christmas.
Google play and iTunes)
Evan Almighty
Evan Almighty (iTunes) (Google Play store) is a comedy for all ages that “you don’t want to miss” If you are familiar with the story of Noah, this will give you new appreciation as to what he went through.
Everyone’s favorite funnyman Steve Carell is at his hilarious best as junior congressman Evan Baxter, whose wish to “change the world” is heard by none other than God (Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman). When God appears with the perplexing request to build an ark, Evan is sure he is losing it. But soon mysterious deliveries of wood and tools are being dropped on his doorstep, animals of every shape and size are flocking to him two by two, and his self-absorbed life goes from overnight success to almighty mess! It’s a great time for everyone! My kids love this movie, be sure to check your own review sources.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
