Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” It’s the season where the Church learns to wait. For centuries, followers of Jesus have spent the weeks before Christmas remembering the first time Jesus came and longing for the day He comes again. Advent puts us in the middle. We look back at Jesus arriving in humility. God with us. Light coming into the dark. And we look ahead to the day He returns, when all things are made new and every longing is finally met.

When Jesus talks about His return, He tells His people the same thing: “Keep watch.” (Matthew 25:13) Keeping watch doesn’t mean living afraid or guessing at dates. It means staying awake. Living like we actually expect Him. So we remember. We prepare. We keep the flame burning. Christ has come. Christ is here. Christ will come again. Each week we’ll remember what Jesus brings into the dark:

Hope for the weary.
Peace for the restless.
Joy for the brokenhearted.
Love that comes looking for us.

And until He comes back, we’ll be people who keep watch.

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How To Use This Guide:

Weekly Readings

This is a systematic order of daily readings from the Bible with selections from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament and Gospels. You might read each Scripture every day of the week or spread it out throughout the week. It is recommended that you read these Scriptures from multiple translations (ESV, NIV, NLT, NASB and The Message are good places to start). Reading these verses as a group AND individually is a great practice to allow the Scripture to come alive in your Advent weeks.

Weekly Prayers

Just like the readings, this weekly prayer is intended to be used multiple times in your week. Use it before dinner or breakfast, pray it at bedtime, or speak it as you drive to and from work or school. These prayers are traditionally called  the “collect” of the Advent week because they “collect” the theme of the week into one prayer! This section is written primarily for adults.

Weekly Reflections

These reflections are originally written reflections meant to encourage your own. You might read these reflections each week after the Advent service or each morning when you get up. This section is written primarily for adults.

You will find these weekly components on the Sunday of each week.

If you are looking for even more devotional material during this season, these daily meditations will be perfect for you! With an additional Scripture to read and a brief thought about how this Scripture plays into the overall narrative  of God’s love, these daily readings call us to an even greater understanding of how much God loves us and wants us  to be a part of his story. This section is written primarily for adults. Find these meditations by clicking on the square that corresponds to the day’s date.

This section has three different elements for you and your family. 

1. The Conversation piece is a set of questions about the weekly theme that will spark some great discussion among your family about God’s hope, peace, joy, and love.

2. The Craft piece gives an activity that you can do with your family to help make the Advent season tangible and real in your home. 

3. The Community piece gives an idea of something you and your family can do for someone else. This is a great time to talk to your children about practicing the humility and love that God displayed in Jesus.

You will find these weekly components on the Sunday of each week.

NOVEMBER 30 December 1 December 2 December 3 December 4 December 5 December 6
DECEMBER 7 DECEMBER 8 December 9 December 10 December 11 December 12 December 13
DECEMBER 14 DECEMBER 15 December 16 December 17 December 18 December 19 December 20
DECEMBER 21 DECEMBER 22 December 23 December 24 December 25 December 26 December 27

  

The countdown is on! Grab your resources now so you are prepared for the start of the season!

Advent Wreath

Celebrate Advent with your friends or family by creating your own Advent wreath at home! You need 3 purple candles, 1 pink candle, 1 white candle, and 5 candle holders. Check what you have around the house or at a thrift store, or follow the links below to buy some from Amazon.

candles Candle Holders

Spotify Playlist

Need a playlist to get you in the Advent mindset? These songs are a mix of what you will hear in our gatherings this year, along with others we believe will help you focus your mind and heart on the coming of our King.

Spotify Playlist

Need a playlist to get you in the Advent mindset? These songs are a mix of what you will hear in our gatherings this year, along with others we believe will help you focus your mind and heart on the coming of our King.

listen here

Advent is the Latin word for “coming” or “arrival”. It is a season on the church calendar that has been celebrated around the world for centuries. This is a four-week period leading up to Christmas in which we slow down, look back to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus, and anticipate his second coming as our King. Each week we focus on a different promise that Christ’s coming has brought: hope, peace, joy, and love. Just as John the Baptist told God’s people to “prepare” for Christ to come, we encourage one another to be prepared for his coming again. When he comes all of God’s promises will be fulfilled and all things will be made new.