Wondering where to find peace and time with God during the busy holiday season? Here are a few great offerings from around the Church for Advent 2019. Most of these programs and activities are suitable for individuals and congregations alike.
Create an Advent Prayer Tree
Have you seen the “prayer flags” used by many of our congregations in the Learning Communities Initiative? Churches are setting up prayer stations at local events and festivals and inviting their neighbors to offer prayers on strips of colorful fabric which are later collected, prayed over, and displayed in the sanctuary.
You could adapt this practice for Advent by offerings strips of blue, purple, and white cloth that get hung on an evergreen tree, indoors or outdoors. Encourage folks to write, doodle, and pray on the cloths. Tags made of cardstock would work well, too. At home, you could do a prayer a day as an Advent calendar practice—check out the second image in this post from Praying in Color.
A Way to the Manger
A Way to the Manger, a daily Advent devotional from Forward Movement, explores Christ’s birth through the lens of the Way of Love and its everyday practices: turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go, and rest. Order one for yourself or buy in bulk and invite your whole congregation on the journey! These daily devotions are also available in ebook format.
Journey the Way of Love
The Episcopal Church’s Journeying the Way of Love Advent Calendar offers daily prompts to help you draw closer to Jesus through Advent. It’s the perfect accompaniment for our four-session Journeying the Way of Love Advent curriculum which guides congregations or small groups through the first chapters of the Gospel of Luke. Gather some companions and use the curriculum as a guide for an Advent bible study in your parish, or even at home!
Bring Advent to your table with these beautiful placemats
Last year, we loved the Salt Project’s “Mason Jar Advent,” and this year we can’t wait to bring Advent into our daily meals with their beautiful “Say Yes” Advent placemats. Have a personal set printed and laminated locally to use year after year, or print them in bulk them in bulk for your congregation’s holiday meal. When you order, you’ll get a full-color version of each placemat, as well as a black-and-white version if you prefer to color your own as a devotional practice.
Share this Advent infographic
The commercial Christmas season can feel like a hectic rush, but Advent is a season we can slow down and prepare to welcome Jesus. Spread this good news with this free infographic from Forward Movement.
Be part of a global Advent Calendar
Join an international community in prayer to explore the mystery and wonder of Advent! For the sixth year in a row, #AdventWord will gather prayers via a global, online Advent calendar. Sign up for a daily e-mail meditation from Virginia Theological Seminary, and experience images and meditations by following #AdventWord on social media or at adventword.org.
We’ve got more Advent ideas in this post from 2018. And be sure to check out these wonderful Advent and Christmas resources from The Episcopal Church.
How will you be holding space for God in your life this Advent? Leave us a comment to share your ideas!
