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ADVENT UNWRAPPED


BREADCRUMB

 1. Home
 2. Advent Unwrapped



Get ready for Christ(mas)! Advent—a holy, four-week countdown to Jesus’
birthday—begins on Sunday, December 1! Get ready to make room for Christ and the
radical, countercultural messages that Christ brings.

Throughout the season, videos, prayers, family resources, and reflections on
this page will introduce and explore the Christmas story. For more worship
resources visit our Advent and Christmas worship pages. Follow our Advent
Unwrapped Facebook page(opens in a new tab) and subscribe to our
newsletter(opens in a new tab) for regular updates.





WORSHIP IDEAS

 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Advent Prayers with the Church in the Holy Land (1.11
   MB) (Word): Pause to pray with the church in the Holy Land who are seeking
   relief from the atrocities of war.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service (49.17 KB)
   (Word): A new Blue Christmas service by Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Christmas Eve Worship Service (66.5 KB) (Word): A
   worship service for Christmas Eve, written by Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Making Space for the Grace of Hope (1C) (31.79 KB)
   (Word): An order of worship for Advent 1C.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Making Space for the Grace of Joy (3C) (28.82 KB)
   (Word): An order of worship for Advent 3C.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Making Space for the Grace of Love (4C) (33.38 KB)
   (Word): An order of worship for Advent 4C.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Making Space for the Grace of Peace (2C) (33.39 KB)
   (Word): An order of worship for Advent 2C.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Sermon Sparks (56.21 KB) (Word): Use these sermon
   sparks by Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites for your worship this Advent.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024: Advent Prayers of the World (515.16 KB) (Word):
   Prayer, reflection, and solidarity with global partners.
 * Body Prayers (2.31 MB) (PDF): An Advent Unwrapped “action prayer” for each
   week of the Advent/Christmas season.
 * Christmas Candlelight Worship (148.56 KB) (PDF): A candlelight worship
   service by Susan Lukey.
 * Family Prayers and Blessings (221.67 KB) (PDF): An Advent Unwrapped resource
   of traditional prayers and creative blessings.
 * Hidden Gift Sunday (41.61 KB) (Word): A service that reflects the trials of
   2020 while focusing on the spiritual gift of Joy.
 * In the Rich Dark of Winter: An Advent Communion Service (235.68 KB) (PDF):
   Using expansive scriptural imagery, the theme of this Advent Unwrapped
   service is anticipating God’s fulfilled promise of the renewal of all things.
 * Jesse Tree Advent Prayer Service (43.13 KB) (Word): An Advent prayer service
   rooted in the story of the Jesse Tree.
 * O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (269.67 KB) (PDF): A one-rehearsal Advent Unwrapped
   pageant with the message "God is with us! We are not alone."
 * Sharing the News (40.39 KB) (Word): This light-hearted Advent Unwrapped
   Christmas pageant has been updated to reflect some of the major concerns of
   this decade.
 * Stories behind Carols: First Sunday after Christmas (37.2 KB) (Word): An
   Advent Unwrapped service based on the origins of some classic Christmas
   carols.
 * Worship Prayers for Advent (84.32 KB) (Word): Advent Candle Lighting time may
   be used at the start of worship, as an interactive devotional, or bible
   study.


MUSIC

 * Advent Prayer Song (SAB) (Nancy Chegus) (61.83 KB) (PDF): Short SAB piece (a
   cappella, optional piano) suitable for worship during Advent. Please credit
   the composer.
 * Intercultural Hymn Festival for Advent (219.55 KB) (PDF): These songs with
   accompanying commentary can be combined with seasonal prayers and scripture
   readings to create an Advent hymn festival. Please credit Bruce Harding for
   this resource and the music arrangements.
 * Memory (Lyrics) (26.05 KB) (Word): Lyrics written by Mia Michelle McClain
   with the United Church of Christ and The United Church of Canada for Advent
   2023.
 * Memory (Score) (406.55 KB) (PDF): Written and composed by Mia Michelle
   McClain with the United Church of Christ and The United Church of Canada for
   Advent 2023.
 * Scripture Music for Advent (239.47 KB) (PDF): Words and music to accompany
   scripture during Advent.
 * Service Music for Advent (329.68 KB) (PDF): Words and music for Advent
   services composed by Lisa Waites.


RELATED MATERIAL

 * Advent as a Season of Invitation (1.46 MB) (Word): Tips for working on the
   invitation-culture of your church during Advent.
 * Advent as a Season of Invitation Card (362.15 KB) (PDF): Use this fillable,
   printable card to invite others to your church to celebrate this Christmas
   season!
 * Advent as a Season of Invitation Video(opens in a new tab): United Church
   growth animators Tori Mullin and Scott Reynolds play out a conversation
   between neighbours with three possible responses to an invitation to
   Christmas worship. This conversation highlights the importance of hearing the
   needs of others while also respecting boundaries when inviting others to
   celebrate this Christmas season.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Anti-Ableist Resource List (56.52 KB) (Word): An
   annotated resource list of anti-ableist books and podcasts for clergy and
   congregations.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024 Prayer Calendar (429.79 KB) (PDF): This calendar of
   prayers is perfect for this December. Included: an Advent wreath activity!
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024: Advent Activities for the Whole People of God (676.48
   KB) (PDF): Explore the reason for the season with this Advent guide.
 * Advent Unwrapped 2024: Spiritual Practices for the Whole Family (3.39 MB)
   (PDF): A guide full of spiritual practices for the entire family during
   Advent.
 * Advent: The Basics (103.03 KB) (PDF): Have some questions about Advent? Here
   are some answers!
 * Zine How-to Guide (121.87 KB) (PDF): Instructions on how to print, cut, and
   fold your pocket zine.
 * Zine: Advent Prayers for the Family (247.13 KB) (PDF): A pocket zine with
   prayers to share with your family during Advent.
 * Zine: Make Space for Grace (136.01 KB) (PDF): A pocket zine with space for
   your own Advent prayers and drawings.
 * Zine: Pocket Prayers for Advent (210.14 KB) (PDF): A pocket zine featuring
   Advent prayers by Catherine Faith MacLean.


PRAYERS

 * Praying Through Advent: Peace: What challenges our feelings of peace?
 * Praying Through Advent: The Final Week: This last week of labour in the
   Advent vineyard—so much left to do. 
 * Help Us to Be Brave: An Advent prayer
 * Praying Through Advent: Joy: A prayer to find Joy in Advent.
 * Help Us to Be Ourselves: An Advent prayer
 * Praying Through Advent: Winter Solstice: A prayer for the longest night.
 * Give Us the Courage to Welcome Christ: A Christmas prayer
 * Praying Through Christmas Eve: An Advent prayer for Christmas Eve.
 * Praying Through Advent: A prayer to help prepare for Advent.
 * Praying Through Advent: Hope: An Advent prayer on hope.


WORSHIP BLOG

ADVENT UNWRAPPED: THE SHAPE-SHIFTING MAGI

The Rev. Stephen Milton talks about how the representation of the visit of the
magi has changed over time… and how it might look in the future.


THE FIGHT FOR CHRISTMAS VACATIONS

Why do we get days off at Christmas?


WHY DO WE WRAP CHRISTMAS PRESENTS?

The Rev. Stephen Milton explores how a simple layer of colourful paper adds to
the mystery and wonder of Christmas.


ADVENT UNWRAPPED: WHO WAS THE REAL SAINT NICHOLAS?

The Rev. Stephen Milton explores the identity of Saint Nicholas and his
contribution to our stories of Christmas.


ADVENT UNWRAPPED: WHY IS CHRISTMAS ON DECEMBER 25TH?

Rev. Stephen Milton explores the reasons behind the choice of December 25 as
Christ’s birthday.


SPEAKING OF DARKNESS IN ADVENT

Our ingrained notions of black/white and darkness/light as inherently good and
evil can guide how we treat each other.


ADVENT UNWRAPPED: BELÉN SA TORONTO

The Holy is known in the birth of every child, the Rev. Maria Christina Conlon
reminds us, in this Advent Unwrapped microblog.


THE WOMB THAT BORE YOU

In an Advent Unwrapped microblog, the Rev. Maria Christina Conlon reminds us of
the importance of compassion.


SEEKING PEACE INSTEAD OF TURMOIL

In this Advent reflection, Shanna Bernier finds that even in times of great
upheaval and change, deep moments of peace exist.


ADVENT BEGINS WITH HOPE

Shanna Bernier shares the first of a series of Advent reflections, based on
a young adult pilgrimage to Palestine and Israel. 


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