Advent Resources
"O come, O come Emmanuel..."
Advent is a time of preparation, of looking ahead to Jesus' birth
The calendar year may begin on January 1, but for Christians the Christian year begins with Advent – four weeks before Christmas. Advent is the beginning of a cycle of time that celebrates the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
The church has observed an Advent season for over 15 centuries. It may originally have been a time of instruction for people who were preparing to be baptized on January 6, on Epiphany. History reveals Advent traditions of varying lengths, but our waiting time is now the four Sundays before Christmas.
PWS&D Resources
The 2011 Advent liturgies were written by the Reverend Dr. Pamela McCarroll, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology at Knox College in Toronto, ON. There is a liturgy for each Sunday of Advent along with a story about the work of PWS&D on the back. They have been designed to use around the lighting of the Advent candles and follow the themes of hope, peace, joy and love. They are available to order from the Book Room, or download them here and print them yourself.
Spread some Christmas joy this year with PWS&D’s Christmas cards!
A stunning new card is available for order, featuring a photo from a PWS&D program overseas, as well as a seasonal message of peace and a Scripture verse on the inside. Proceeds from the cards will support development and relief programs.
A package of 15 cards is on sale now for only $20, plus tax. Individual cards can also be purchased for $2.50 each, plus tax.
Advent Journal/Worship Planners
Prepare the Way of the Lord
The Advent Journal contains suggestions for activities, as well as prayers, poems, hymns and prose quotations.
It is designed to help you, during the days and nights of Advent, explore your relationship with God and open your heart for new ways to be in relationship with Jesus and with your neighbour.
Advent Worship Planners — Year B
Inner Space: An Adventure in Prayer for Advent
An Adventure in Prayer is a study written by Ben Campbell Johnson, professor emeritus of Christian spirituality at Columbia Theological Seminary. This is a very small booklet that takes participants on a 30-day journey into prayer and reflection.
Resources on other websites
equippingfor.ca
Christian education is an everyday affair. Seasons like Advent are the perfect times to equip and empower adults and caregivers to nurture Christian formation in the home. Learn ways families can celebrate Advent at home.
The Thoughtful Christian
The Thoughtful Christian in an ecumenical, online resource center of downloadable Christian Bible studies for youth and adult groups. It has a number of Advent studies available for purchase through its website.
Popular Downloads
- Blue Christmas/Longest Night Services
- These bulletins contain services held at Knox, Waterloo over the past few years.
- Ideas nurturing faith at home during Advent
- This PDF contains ideas for families for nurturing faith at home. There is one activity for each week of Advent.
- Counting the Days: An Advent Celebration for Kids
- This PDF contains an outline for organizing a half-day Advent event for children.
- Simple Ideas for a Christ-Centered Christmas
- This PDF contains a list of activities that families can do during the days leading up to Christmas.
- Telling Time in the Church Year Bulletin Inserts
- This PDF contains a bulletin insert for telling time in the church year. It provides historical backgrounds, meanings and reflections for the seasons in our church year.
More Advent resources »