Recommended resources
Adults & Older YouthPresiding Bishop Michael Curry has invited the whole church to take up The Way of Love, a “rule of life” focused on practices for Jesus-Centered Life.
For the season of Advent, Journeying the Way of Love offers four sessions to be explored as we await the coming of Christ by moving through the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Luke’s gospel provides a pattern for understanding how we can live the Way of Love as individuals, as families and friends, as a community, and out in the world. The sessions are specially designed for use during the Christian formation hour before or after worship. Facilitation instructions accommodate small or large groups. This Advent curriculum is created for adults, but can be used for youth - though it may need a bit of tweaking. Click here to Journeying the Way of Love Advent Curriculum Advent Calendar: Click here to download the Way of Love Advent Calendar |
Children & FamiliesIn An Illustrated Advent for Families: Preparing the Way, you will be introduced to prophets–or God’s messengers–who helped prepare God’s people for Jesus’ arrival. You will also encounter individuals who faced the unexpected, trusting in the promises of God for their lives, continuing to prepare for Jesus.
Each week, you will have the opportunity to create time and space to prepare for Jesus through scripture readings, discussions, and activities. Our Advent devotions are based on passages from the Revised Common Lectionary readings. (note: to view these, you must first register on the website, as we have purchased them for used within the Diocese) Click here to view and download the Illustrated Children's Ministry Advent Resources. Click here to view all the children and youth ministry resources by date. This includes Weaving God's Children, Illustrated Children's Ministry, and Lesson Plans that Work. |
Crafts, Activities, and more information for ALL AGES on the Formation Journey website
What is Advent?
What is Advent?
Advent begins the Christian year and comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival. These four weeks are a time of waiting, love, and hope when the Church prepares for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ child born in Bethlehem, and makes ready for his second coming at the end of time. The collects for the Sundays in Advent echo the Gospel readings and focus on preparation, expectation, and on the power of the light of Christ in contrast to the long hours of darkness at this time of year.
Advent begins the Christian year and comes from the Latin adventus, meaning coming or arrival. These four weeks are a time of waiting, love, and hope when the Church prepares for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ child born in Bethlehem, and makes ready for his second coming at the end of time. The collects for the Sundays in Advent echo the Gospel readings and focus on preparation, expectation, and on the power of the light of Christ in contrast to the long hours of darkness at this time of year.
Advent is upon us. It's the season of the church year when we practice our patience, waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to come in glory, breaking into history, and renewing all of creating. Waiting for Christ is different than idly waiting in line. Waiting for Christ involves preparation, anticipation, and action. We prepare ourselves through study, prayer, and worship. We live our lives in joyous anticipation, not knowing when Christ will come, but living each day expecting his immediate return. We act by serving the one true and living God by loving those around us. Christ is coming. Actively wait. (from Jesus is Coming... and I'm tired of Waiting: Advent Meditation Guide for Students by Scott KeuchenmeisterHall)
Click here to download an Advent Overview from Weaving God's Promises.
Click here to download an Advent Overview from Weaving God's Promises.
More articles about Advent
A Different Kind of Christmas: Advent Wreath Liturgies from Ministry Matters, a community of resources for church leaders.
Christmas in Two Homes: From Ministry Matters, a community of resources for church leaders.
Worshiping Through Advent: From Ministry Matters, a community of resources for church leaders.
Helping People Spend Wisely: From Ministry Matters, a community of resources for church leaders.
Christmas in Two Homes: From Ministry Matters, a community of resources for church leaders.
Worshiping Through Advent: From Ministry Matters, a community of resources for church leaders.
Helping People Spend Wisely: From Ministry Matters, a community of resources for church leaders.
Printable Resources & Activities
Daily Reflections
This includes reflection questions - can be used with groups or alone. |
Prayer cards
Print and enjoy throughout the day Click for images (.png) Click for editable (as powerpoint) |
Online Resources
Prayer online
Pray as You Go: A daily downloadable podcast from the Jesuit Media Initiative.
Onbeing: A downloadable podcast with discussions about faith and life, done in interviews.
D365: Daily devotions 365 days a year
Onbeing: A downloadable podcast with discussions about faith and life, done in interviews.
D365: Daily devotions 365 days a year
Downloadable resources
Advent in a Box from the Building Faith website
"Praying in Color" Advent Calendars
The "Jesse Tree": a tree branch decorated with symbols representing the stories of people in Jesus' family tree.
Becoming Beloved Community: We dream and work to foster Beloved Communities where all people may experience dignity and abundant life and see themselves and others as beloved children of God. This advent resource is split into four sections: "Telling the Truth about Our Churches and Race," "Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community," "Practicing the Way of Love in the Pattern of Jesus," and "Repairing the Breach in Institutions and Society."
"Praying in Color" Advent Calendars
The "Jesse Tree": a tree branch decorated with symbols representing the stories of people in Jesus' family tree.
Becoming Beloved Community: We dream and work to foster Beloved Communities where all people may experience dignity and abundant life and see themselves and others as beloved children of God. This advent resource is split into four sections: "Telling the Truth about Our Churches and Race," "Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community," "Practicing the Way of Love in the Pattern of Jesus," and "Repairing the Breach in Institutions and Society."
Website with GREAT resources
Episcopal Church Foundation
Building Faith
Episcopal Relief and Development
Vibrant Faith at Home: Downloadable activities for all ages.
Rethinking Youth Ministry: Advent Ideas for Youth Ministry, mostly free and downloadable
Building Faith
Episcopal Relief and Development
Vibrant Faith at Home: Downloadable activities for all ages.
Rethinking Youth Ministry: Advent Ideas for Youth Ministry, mostly free and downloadable
Alternative Gift Ideas & Book Recommendations
Advent Calendars
Episcopal Relief and Development Gifts for Life: Gifts for Life is a special way to change our world for the better by providing lasting solutions that fight hunger, create economic opportunities, support health education and strengthen communities around the world. With each gift you purchase, you'll receive a FREE gift card or E-card announcing you have made a generous gift in honor of a loved one.
An Advent Sourcebook and A Christmas Sourcebook: By Thomas O'Gorman. The Sourcebook series of anthologies gathers prose and poetry, hymns and prayers from various times and traditions.
The Brick Bible: This is an interpretation of the Bible told in comic book format entirely with Lego characters.
Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story: By Sally Lloyd-Jones and Alison Jay. A beautiful book for children ages 4-10 (or any ages, really!)
Look!: A Child‘s Guide to Advent and Christmas: by Laura Alary and Ann Boyajian (Illustrations). 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.
Episcopal Relief and Development Gifts for Life: Gifts for Life is a special way to change our world for the better by providing lasting solutions that fight hunger, create economic opportunities, support health education and strengthen communities around the world. With each gift you purchase, you'll receive a FREE gift card or E-card announcing you have made a generous gift in honor of a loved one.
An Advent Sourcebook and A Christmas Sourcebook: By Thomas O'Gorman. The Sourcebook series of anthologies gathers prose and poetry, hymns and prayers from various times and traditions.
The Brick Bible: This is an interpretation of the Bible told in comic book format entirely with Lego characters.
Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story: By Sally Lloyd-Jones and Alison Jay. A beautiful book for children ages 4-10 (or any ages, really!)
Look!: A Child‘s Guide to Advent and Christmas: by Laura Alary and Ann Boyajian (Illustrations). 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.