Tis the season of crowded malls and endless to-do lists. How can we slow down the holiday rush and get into the (Holy) Spirit of the season? Let’s use some common sense or should I say “senses.”

Since the action of divine grace entering the human soul can not be seen, heard, tasted, smelled or felt, early Catholics created worldly symbols for each sense. This allowed the faithful to more fully experience God’s presence in their lives. Here are traditional and alternate ways to sense divine grace this Christmas.

Susan Matthews is a Philadelphia-based writer, TV spokesperson, wife and mom who publishes Catholics4Change and TheLuxeLady.