Seasonal – Advent
The Journey Begins
With Advent we begin the journey to the Incarnation and the amazing mystery of God with Us. In the four weeks given to us to prepare our hearts and minds, we can remind ourselves to step back from the busyness of our days, into a place of calm and reflection, and get ready to welcome anew Christ Our Lord into our lives.
Advent begins this year on December 1, and we are beginning to build a list of resources for the season. Have a great resource of your own you would like to share? Let us know! We’d love to include it here.
Resources for Adults
Advent Blog
On Wednesdays and Fridays during Advent, individuals from around the state will add their reflections to our annual Faith Formation Advent Blog. Interested in contributing? Contact us at Faith@EpiscopalColorado.org.
Adult Formation: Journeying The Way of Love
The Episcopal Church continues to expand its resources for exploring Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s The Way of Love. A four-week Advent curriculum, Journeying the Way of Love, is available as a free download. The curriculum is tied to readings and themes from the Sunday lectionary. Consider using it for Sunday Christian formation or small group study.
Go to Journeying the Way of Love materials now >
Check out all 2018 Advent and Christmas resources from the Episcopal Church >
Adult Formation: The Gift of the Nutcracker, by Matt Rawle
Matt Rawle, the author of The Redemption of Scrooge, has written a new book that explores the story of The Nutcracker and helps us understand God’s greatest gift of the Christ child, and the kingdom Christ came to establish. This is a four-week study that includes a comprehensive leader guide, a DVD featuring Matt Rawle, a worship resources flash drive, and youth and children’s resources. Read more or purchase >
Living Well through Advent: Practicing Generosity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind (Living Compass)
Daily devotions available in booklet format, downloadable pdf, or daily email. English and Spanish versions available.
Read more >
Book Resource: Watch for the Light
Watch for the Light was our Advent read for 2017. The book is a collection of daily writings for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany written by diverse, well-known authors. The selections challenge readers think about these seasons in new ways and the different authors keep the reading interesting. Highly recommended for book groups and individuals wishing to go deeper into the meaning of the season. Published by Plough Publishing.
I Witness: Living Inside the Stories of Advent and Christmas
I Witness is a book of daily devotionals for the seasons of Advent and Christmas, inviting us “to enter the story of salvation with our hearts and minds wide open, experiencing the miracle of Jesus through the eyes of witnesses: Zechariah, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the wise men, and others.”
Read more or purchase >
Advent Conspirancy
“Advent Conspiracy shows you how to substitute consumption with compassion by practicing four simple but powerful, countercultural concepts: Worship Fully—because Christmas begins and ends with Jesus. Spend Less—and free your resources for things that truly matter. Give More—of your presence: your hands, your words, your time, your heart. Love All—the poor, the forgotten, the marginalized, and the sick in ways that make a difference.”
Read more or purchase >
What Are You Waiting For
“We spend so much of our lives waiting.. At no other time of the year may the theme of waiting feel so poignant than the season of Advent. These daily reflections help bring a richness and depth to waiting–whether it be waiting for the mundane or the sublime.
Read more or purchase >
The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ, Fleming Rutledge
“Rutledge reflects on the liturgical season of Advent, challenging the conventional interpretation of Advent as preparation for Christmas…Rutledge intends this book as a ‘valedictory message to serious young preachers,’ and it will also appeal to anyone looking for challenging, insightful, and inspiring sermons that wrestle with the grim reality of suffering and ‘the problem of evil’ while also offering hope.” ~ Review by Publisher’s Weekly; resource recommended by the Rev. Chris Ditzenberger, rector of St. Gabriel the Archangel, Cherry Hills Village
Read more >
Resources for Children and Youth
Illustrated Advent Pages
These creatively designed coloring pages can be used as a response material during Christian formation, set out as an activity during coffee hour, or given to children to take home. They encourage much-needed “down time,” not only for children, but teens and adults as well. View Advent pages >
Advent Wreath Transformation Stations
Looking for an idea for youth formation or youth group time? Advent Wreath Transformation Stations incorporate prayer, movement, and individual creativity.
Resources for the Home
Family Tradition for Advent
This free resource from Candle Press helps families develop a rhythm and ritual for marking the weeks of Advent. Each week includes a gathering activity, brief Scripture reading, and questions for reflection.
Slow down. Quiet. It’s Advent!
This 17″ x 22″ poster is perfect for marking the days of Advent in the home. There are suggestions for prayer, helping others, and being thoughtful about the true meaning of Christmas. These also make nice handouts for parishioners. They come in packs of 25. Read more >
Crafts & Other Ideas for the Home
Check out our Advent pins on Pinterest: Go to Pinterest, search Faith Formation Episcopal Colorado, and select the Advent board.
For Congregations
Advent Prayer Stations
Looking for a way to help your congregation slow dow and reflect on the season of Advent? Consider setting up Advent Prayer Stations around your church and invite congregants to select one or more stations to engage with. This could be done during the service in lieu of a sermon, or set up as rotations during faith formation time or even coffee hour. Read more >
Reverse Advent: A Spiritual Discipline for Reaching Out
Reverse Advent encourages families and congregations to focus on giving rather than receiving. It involves setting up four worship stations at church where individuals and families Read and Reflect, Pause to Wonder, Create, and Pray–all in preparation for a fifth station, which becomes a communal giving project. Families also create a space for devotion in the home, which involves scripture and wondering questions that focus on understanding the humanity of the Holy Family, and setting out brown paper bags for gathering items that will be brought to the church each week. Read more >
Advent Wreath Making Survival Guide
Does your congregation prepare for Advent by making wreaths together? Here are some great tips for a successful event for all ages. Read more >