Advent Formation Resources
Advent Adult Resources
Books and Resources
"Bless your Advent journey with these inspiring daily devotions exploring the Sunday psalms of Advent. Join four women authors offering diverse perspectives on psalms of adoration, lament, repentance, and thanks." - from Forward Movement
Slow Down. Quiet. It's Advent! and other seasonal calendars
A series of three seasonal calendars for Advent, Christmas, and the Epiphany seasons. Each folds out flat and is a great resource for individuals or families looking for a way to intentionally and spiritually mark the days of these liturgical seasons.
Advent Resources from The Episcopal Church
This page includes a series of resources for your congregation including the Journeying the Way of Love curriculum which has been updated for 2024. There are also a number of hospitality and gratitude resources available.
Diocesan Dwelling in the Word for Advent
Friends, as we approach the first Sunday in Advent, we invite you to intentionally practice Dwelling in the Word. Dwelling in the Word is an ancient practice that helps us to increase our listening to God as we approach our communities and neighborhoods from a posture of curiosity. Please visit our Dwelling in the Word resources for more information about the Dwelling in the Word practice and for our Advent reading.
Advent Resources for Children and Youth
Dwelling in the Word
Youth: This Advent, join us on Monday evenings at 8PM to dwell with scripture together. Register for the zoom meetings HERE.
Children
Lego Advent Calendar Prayers – The Diocese of Arkansas has developed prayers to go along with the Lego Advent Calendar. You can download the prayers for free but be sure to buy the Lego Advent Calendar early because they sell out quickly!
(featured 2023) Praying in Color Advent Calendars - “Praying in Color” creator Sybil MacBeth offers free printable Advent calendars for “doodling” prayers, as she describes it, each day of Advent. She also provides guidance on how to introduce “Praying in Color” as a practice.
(featured 2023) Families Celebrate Advent & Christmas contains cards for each day of the Advent and Christmas seasons with illustrations, short reflections, practices, and prayers. These are great for families to incorporate rituals or activities into their day-to-day lives during these seasons. The pack of cards is $10.99 and is published by Augsburg Fortress. You can also download a free promotional pack on their website with ideas for using the cards in your church and several coloring pages.
Book of Faith Advent Reflections: Making All Things New This book explores God's ongoing work of renewing all things, particularly our stories, our days, our spirits, and our ways. Use the daily reflections on your own or with a friend or family member. Discuss the Bible study questions in an existing group, or form a group with others who are reading this book. Check out the activities and choose some hands-on ways to celebrate the gift of God's work of renewal in us, through us, and in the world.
Kids Celebrate Advent and Christmas, Young Reader For grades 1 - 3. Perfect size for pews, activity bags, or home use. You get 12 per package for $8.49
Godly Play – Check out the Advent resources from Godly Play, including at-home story materials and congregational materials.
Illustrated Ministry has released its 2024 Advent Collection: From the Manger From the Manger gathers around the birth story in Luke 2, embracing the playful symbolism of a newborn Jesus being laid down to sleep in a feeding trough in a town called “House of Bread.” Beginning Advent with the birth of Jesus may feel a bit unconventional. Still, we hope this liturgical dissonance will invite you to reflect on the life-sustaining hope, peace, joy, and love Jesus brings and notice how the baby born in a bread town continues to feed a hungry world today. From the Manger offers a variety of products designed to inspire, empower, and nourish everyone in your community this Advent season.
Saint Nicholas - Are you planning a visit from Saint Nicholas, or another celebration for St. Nicholas Day (December 6)? Check out a ton of resources at St. Nicholas Center, ranging from coloring pages and games to stories and liturgical resources.
Children’s Pageants – Looking for an easy children’s pageant with no rehearsals or lines to memorize? Check out these two options:
1. Godly Play version - this can be used even if you do not do Godly Play. Let Teresa know if you would like a preview of the pageant script.
2. Paper Bag Pageant - This easy-to-stage Christmas pageant requires no rehearsal and has a role for everyone! Guided by a storyteller, participants get in on the act in this memorable pageant celebrating Jesus’ birth.
Ten Ways to Involve Children & Youth in Worship During Advent Getting kids more involved in worship during Advent can make the season more meaningful for both the children and the congregation. These are some engaging ways churches can involve kids in Advent worship.
Advent Resources from GenOn Ministries Curriculum to bring two or more generations together during the Advent and Christmas season.
Youth
(featured 2023) Advent Word - from Forward Movement - We choose a single word from the Sunday Lectionary readings for each day during the season of Advent. Each day during Advent, email subscribers and social media followers will receive a daily meditation and visual image inspired by the day’s word. Followers are invited to share their own personal reflections, photos, art, poetry, or other creative expression on their social media profiles, tagging #AdventWord to share with the wider community.
d365 – Download the d365 app to access daily devotions that follow a five-step format – Pause, Listen, Think, Pray, Go.
(featured 2023) Nativity “Escape Room” - The Nativity Escape Room takes students back in time where they will solve the mysteries of Jesus' birth by decoding puzzles, answering questions, and breaking secret codes! This "Print & Go" activity can be used at home, church, or school throughout the Christmas season. Youth will learn about the visit from the Magi, the astonishment of the shepherds, Gabriel's visit to Mary, and other key events surrounding the birth of Christ.
Books for Families
'Twas the Season of Advent: Devotions and Stories for the Christmas Season by Glenys Nellist - this premium picture book contains twenty-five stories from Dec 1st – Dec 25th to help you celebrate the Advent season. A free, downloadable Activity Pack is also available.
Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story by Sally Lloyd-Jones and Alison Jay - Snuggle close with little ones as you read through this beautiful story about how all of creation is waiting for and celebrating the arrival of Jesus. From the woodland creatures to the depth of the sea, every creature comes together during this Advent season to share the word that Jesus is coming.
Look! A Child’s Guide to Advent and Christmas by Laura Alary - Told from the point of a view of a child, the story weaves together familiar Advent traditions like the Jesse tree and the Advent wreath, biblical stories and characters, and reflections on what these stories call us to do and be. This book reassures children of the presence of God in all times and places and invites them to become part of the holy work of making Christ present in the world.
What We Do in Advent by Anne E. Kitch – An activity book with lots of ways to learn about the true meaning of Advent and Christmas.
Faithful Celebrations: Making Time for God from Advent through Epiphany by Sharon Ely Pearson – Lots of ideas for families to use at home to celebrate throughout the Advent and Christmas season.
Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas: 100 Ways to Make the Season Sacred by Traci Smith - A book of faith practices for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany will help parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers, pastors, and anyone who cares about kids find easy and meaningful ideas for bringing the sacred back into the season. The book includes prayers, practices, and stories, grouped by different themes of the season, from Decorating, to Family Time, to Giving, to Telling the Story, and more.
Storybooks for Advent Series (4 Books) by Arnold Ytreeide - The Advent Adventures series consist of 4 books that follow exciting stories of four young people on their own journeys to Bethlehem.
