Another Christmas novena is here, if you want to get an idea of how they are viewed in the popular imagination. The several I viewed online to prepare these comments were less Advent observances than Christmas ones. What the Church suggests here is more anticipatory of the Nativity, rather than celebrating it. Folding it into the Liturgy of the Hours is suggested:
103. The Christmas novena began as a means of communicating the riches of the Liturgy to the faithful who were unable easily to grasp it. It has played a very effective role and can continue to play such a role. At the same time, in current conditions where the faithful have easier access to the Liturgy, it would seem desirable that vespers from the 17-23 of December should be more solemn by adopting the use of the “major antiphons”, and by inviting the faithful to participate at the celebration. Such a celebration, held either before of after which the popular devotions to which the faithful are particularly attached, would be an ideal “Christmas novena”, in full conformity with the Liturgy and mindful of the needs of the faithful. Some elements, such as the homily, the use of incense, and the intercessions, could also be expanded within the celebration of Vespers.
The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy is online at the Vatican site.
Catholic Sensibility 
There is also the custom of the Rorate Masses:
https://catholicsensibility.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/rorate-mass/