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Joyful Advent StudyAdvent 2025
Welcome to Joyful, an Advent study program inspired by the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Perfect for individuals, families, and small groups, this four-week study includes videos from Bishop Donald J. Hying, discussion guides, prayers, recommended spiritual practices, and more.
On this page, you will find all the resources for each week of Advent. A printable study guide for each week can be found after Bishop Hying's videos below.Download Full Study Guide
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OPENING PRAYER
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
GOSPEL REFLECTION
Matthew 24:37-44
Reflection:- Ponder the text for a deeper meaning. Read it again as necessary.
- What word or phrase from the passage jumped out at you?
- What thoughts came to you as you were reading? What did you “hear with your heart”?
- To what aspect of your life does the story relate?
- Reflect on how you can put what you learned into action.
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VIDEO REFLECTION
After watching the video, use the questions below for personal reflection and group discussion.What are some distractions in your life that you can minimize or eliminate to help you grow closer to God?
Can you think of a time when you recognized God acting in your life? Perhaps you first thought it was a coincidence?
What are some practical ways you can better watch for God’s movement in your life?
How can you grow personally in the art of patience?
What is one thing you can do this Advent to focus on this beautiful season and avoid falling into the trap of "instant Christmas"?
How often do you take time to just sit in silence and listen for the voice of the Lord? What keeps you from doing this?
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RECOMMENDED SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Nightly ExamenEach night, before falling asleep, take a few minutes to prayerfully review your day.
Thank and praise God for the good things that happened in the day.
Notice how He was present in your life.
Identify times when you struggled, failed, or sinned. How can you do better in these areas tomorrow?
Spend some time in prayer and silence, both speaking to and listening for God.
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CLOSING PRAYER
RosaryTo conclude the session, pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Use Bishop Hying’s video below.
If time does not permit a full Rosary, consider praying one decade.
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OPENING PRAYER
Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
GOSPEL REFLECTION
Matthew 3:1-12
Reflection:- Ponder the text for a deeper meaning. Read it again as necessary.
- What word or phrase from the passage jumped out at you?
- What thoughts came to you as you were reading? What did you “hear with your heart”?
- To what aspect of your life does the story relate?
- Reflect on how you can put what you learned into action.
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VIDEO REFLECTION
After watching the video, use the questions below for personal reflection and group discussion.Mary and Elizabeth were preparing for the birth of their babies. What are some specific ways you can use this Advent to better prepare for the birth of Jesus in your heart?
What are some of the things you do to prepare your home for Christmas? Do you have any family traditions? How can you transform these activities and events to focus more on Jesus and the faith? For example, if you decorate the outside of your home, do you have a manger scene? Would someone know you were a Christian by looking at your home?
Imitating John the Baptist, how can you prepare the way for Jesus in the hearts of those around you? How are you evangelizing the people in your life by not just your words but also by how you live?
John the Baptist calls us to repent of our sins. How can you improve your practice of Confession? Do you go often enough (at least once a month)? Could you do a more thorough examination of conscience?
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RECOMMENDED SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
ConfessionAdvent is an especially important time to go to Confession because it helps us better prepare our hearts for Jesus.
Before going to Confession, pray to the Holy Spirit asking for help recognizing your sins.
Use a good examination of conscience to help you pray, reflect, and prepare.
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CLOSING PRAYER
RosaryTo conclude the session, pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Use Bishop Hying’s video below.
If time does not permit a full Rosary, consider praying one decade.
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OPENING PRAYER
O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord's Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation, and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
GOSPEL REFLECTION
Matthew 11:2-11
Reflection:- Ponder the text for a deeper meaning. Read it again as necessary.
- What word or phrase from the passage jumped out at you?
- What thoughts came to you as you were reading? What did you “hear with your heart”?
- To what aspect of your life does the story relate?
- Reflect on how you can put what you learned into action.
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VIDEO REFLECTION
After watching the video, use the questions below for personal reflection and group discussion.In the Gospel, John the Baptist, who is in prison, asks if Christ is “the one.” How would you respond to a friend or loved one who doubts God because something bad has happened in their life?
The truth of Jesus' identity is revealed in His actions. Despite the fact that Jesus gave everything for us, including His life, why is it so hard for us to follow Him today?
Faith gives us confidence to live a certain way, to trust God, and to love others. As our culture, and the people around us, move further away from God and faith, what are some of the negative consequences?
When we are grounded in faith, we are better able to bear suffering and trials. What are some spiritual practices that help you through difficult times? What tips or advice would you give to someone you love who is going through a difficult time?
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RECOMMENDED SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Reading the GospelsA powerful path to growth in faith is to spend time every day reading and reflecting on Scripture.
One easy way to do this is to read from the Gospels each day. You could work your way through all four Gospels by reading a chapter each day or you could read the Gospel from each day’s daily Mass readings. Visit bible.usccb.org for quick access to the daily readings.
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CLOSING PRAYER
RosaryTo conclude the session, pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Use Bishop Hying’s video below.
If time does not permit a full Rosary, consider praying one decade.
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OPENING PRAYER
Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
GOSPEL REFLECTION
Matthew 1:18-24
Reflection:- Ponder the text for a deeper meaning. Read it again as necessary.
- What word or phrase from the passage jumped out at you?
- What thoughts came to you as you were reading? What did you “hear with your heart”?
- To what aspect of your life does the story relate?
- Reflect on how you can put what you learned into action.
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VIDEO REFLECTION
After watching the video, use the questions below for personal reflection and group discussion.Do you feel like you have a personal relationship with Jesus? What does that look like each day?
Mary has a clear relationship with each person of the Trinity. Do you feel close to the Holy Spirit? To God the Father? How could you deepen those relationships? To which Person of the Trinity do you feel the closest? Why do think that is?
Do you search for Jesus each day the way Mary searched for Him when He was lost? What are some specific steps you could take to remind yourself to look for Jesus throughout your day?
Who is the one person you are closest to in life? How do you maintain that relationship? How can you apply some of those practices to your relationship with God?
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RECOMMENDED SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Attending Daily MassWhen you have a relationship with someone, you want to spend time with that person. Whether you are talking, sharing a meal, or simply being in each other’s presence, relationships take commitment and shared intimacy. The same is true of your relationship with God.
In addition to going to Mass every Sunday and Holy Day, try attending a daily Mass each week. Most parishes have early morning or evening options.
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CLOSING PRAYER
RosaryTo conclude the session, pray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Use Bishop Hying’s video below.
If time does not permit a full Rosary, consider praying one decade.
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