Meet Eddy and Alma, who live in a farming village in Guatemala. Their big brother, Carlo, is excited to teach them about Advent as the siblings navigate the joys and challenges of life in their community. As you read their story and complete weekly activities, consider how you can help families in Guatemala.
The wind is loud tonight. Carlo talks to his little brother and sister so they won’t be afraid. “Advent starts tomorrow!” says Carlo. “Who wants to make the Advent wreath?”
“What’s Advent?” asks Eddy. “Is that like Christmas?” “Wow, a second Christmas!” says Alma. “Do we get presents for that too?”
Carlo smiles. He loves to teach them about Church traditions. Their family does not have many fancy things in their small village in Guatemala, but they treasure their faith in Jesus.
“Sorry, no presents,” says Carlo. He speaks louder so his siblings can hear him over the raindrops that hit the tin roof. “Advent is the four weeks before Christmas. It’s the time of year when we make our hearts ready for Jesus’ birthday.”
As the room grows darker, Carlo helps Eddy and Alma set up the Advent wreath.
“The leaves tell a story,” says Carlo. “They go in a circle forever, just like God loves us forever and gives us life forever.”
The children place five candles that represent hope, love, joy, peace and the birth of Jesus. They will light a new candle every Sunday. Apart from one dim, flickering light bulb, these candles are the only lights in their home.
“Even if there are no presents, we always have the best gift of all. Do you know what that is?” asks Carlo. “Jesus!” shouts Alma. “Yes!” says Carlo. “Now get the buckets.”
Eddy and Alma move buckets to catch the leaking water. Their house is very different from ours and can be ruined by a thunderstorm. The walls are made of sticks, palm fronds and metal scraps. The floor is made of dirt. When a heavy storm strikes, the walls creak and the floor becomes a mud puddle.
Eddy pulls out a plastic tarp. It will protect his little sister from the rain.
“We can’t stop the rain,” says Eddy, “but we can choose to be kind.”
“That’s a great idea!” says Carlo. “Some people celebrate Advent by doing acts of kindness.”
As the rain slows down, Eddy, Alma and Carlo go to bed. They can hardly sleep as they think about what they will do for Advent.
The first two candles have been lit. Now the third Sunday of Advent arrives. It is a special day with a special name: Gaudete Sunday! At Sunday Mass, Eddy and Alma notice the priest is wearing rose-colored vestments.
“This week feels different!” says Eddy.
“You’re right!” replies Carlo. “On Gaudete Sunday, we think about the joy that Jesus brings into the world. We become excited for Christmas!”
“Father Augusto said we start Las Posadas this week,” adds Alma.
“You’re right too!” says Carlo. “During Las Posadas, children dress up as Mary, Joseph and angels. We visit houses and sing carols. Las Posadas reminds us how Mary and Joseph went all the way to Bethlehem and couldn’t find a place to sleep. There was no room for them at the inn, so Jesus was born in a stable.”
“That reminds me of how we can’t sleep in our beds when too much rain comes in the house,” says Eddy.
“At least you weren’t born in a stable!” laughs Carlo.
“I think I know Eddy’s favorite part about Las Posadas,” smiles Alma. “It’s eating tamales!”
Reading Tip:
How To Say “Gaudete”
gow-DAY-tay
This Latin word means “to rejoice.”
Christmas is almost here! Eddy and Alma think about God’s love. His love is so strong that he allowed his son, Jesus, to be born into the world.
During the fourth week of Advent, Eddy and Alma want to do something special for their big brother. They do his chores!
Alma washes clothes in a bucket. Eddy hangs up the wet clothes on a clothesline to dry in the sun.
When Carlo arrives home from school, he has a huge smile.
“Thank you, Eddy! Thank you, Alma!” he exclaims. “The best part of Advent is sharing hope, peace, joy and love with you!”
Later, Eddy, Alma and Carlo get an even bigger surprise.
Their prayers for a safer home have been answered!
As an Advent act of kindness, Catholics in the United States paid to build a brand-new house for the children and their parents. It is so big and sturdy and beautiful!
“We have a real floor, and it’s clean, and there’s so much space to play!” says Alma.
“I can’t wait to sleep in our new room!” says Eddy.
“No storms will knock down these walls, and we never have to catch the rain in buckets again,” says Carlo. “Thank you, Jesus, for this special blessing!”
Eddy, Alma and Carlo are more than fictional characters. They’re based on real-life siblings who live in the Diocese of Santa Rosa de Lima in southwestern Guatemala.
Jonathan and Marjorie live with their parents and big brother, Anderson, in the remote village of Laguna Seca. Anderson is a high school student attending the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School, which was built through donations from generous U.S. Catholics. He sings in two choirs, is learning to play the flute and is part of his school’s computer programming vocational academy. On the weekends, he leads a youth faith formation group, teaching 16 children in his village about God and the Bible.
After graduating from high school, Anderson hopes to continue his education so he can work for his diocese’s social outreach ministry dedicated to the material and spiritual needs of impoverished families.
When we spoke with Marjorie and Jonathan, they both told us that Anderson is their role model, and they hope to be just like him when they are older!
Sadly, the part of the story about the rainstorm is also based on real conditions faced by many children in rural Guatemala. Many people, including Odilia and her children, pictured here, have endured unsafe and unsanitary living conditions in which a single rainstorm would damage all their belongings.
In honor of the Advent and Christmas seasons, you can help a family in rural Guatemala by supporting Cross Catholic Outreach’s efforts to build safe homes in three deeply impoverished dioceses.
Cross Catholic Outreach has funded homebuilding projects in Guatemala since 2013. Right now, it is our goal to bless 240 families with safe homes where they can thrive in their own communities. Each simple but sturdy home will feature concrete-block walls, solid cement flooring, durable metal roofs, lockable doors, shuttered windows and an indoor bathroom. A gift of any amount has the power to change lives forever!
Join our email list today and you will get weekly Advent reflections and activities that will engage the whole family in works of mercy throughout the season.
Heavenly Father, your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us, a great sign of your love. Guide us as we strive to walk in that love together as a family this Advent. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, bring us closer to each other and to your son. Give us the grace and strength we need every day. Help us to always trust in you. Come, Lord Jesus, lead all people closer to you. Come and dispel the darkness of our world with the light of your love. Amen.
(Dynamic Catholic)