In Luke’s telling of the Christmas story, startled shepherds are the first to hear that good news of great joy given to all people. Since then, through generations and generations, across the world, we keep sharing this Good News, receiving signs from God that, in the coming of Jesus Christ, we have received the greatest gift of all. The Episcopal Church wants to help you and your congregation share that Good News with each other and your neighborhoods, especially this Advent and Christmas.

AdventWord

Our main offering for Advent and Christmas this year will be participation in Forward Movement’s AdventWord, an online Advent calendar that asks individuals, ministries, and congregations to reflect on a single word each day of Advent. If you feel so moved, you can even post the word, a written reflection, and a graphic on social media. We’ve created Canva templates – three each in English and Spanish – which we invite you to use. Throughout Advent, we’ll be participating on The Episcopal Church’s social media channels, sharing posts with basic information about the church, our history, our traditions, our structure, and more. Think of it as an Episcopal 101.

Advent and Christmas Collects

If you’re looking for beautiful artwork around Advent and Christmas, you can use our graphics of the collects – available in English and Spanish – on social media or in print. If you click on the thumbnails on this page, you’ll be taken to our lectionary, where you can also find sample text to accompany the pieces. The collects for the Christmas season were designed by Jason Franklin, a designer and communications director who helps Episcopal churches and organizations share their stories through thoughtful design and branding. His work can be found at franklinian.com.

Customizable Invitation Video

We’re also proud to present a customizable and downloadable video for use by your congregation. The video, available in English, Spanish, and French, contains a final, editable slide where you can add your congregation’s logo, contact information, and service times.

Resources for Invitation and Gratitude

In our Invitation and Gratitude section, you can find information for updating your church’s service times, as well as two printable resources from the United Thank Offering: a gratitude game and a children’s letter to Santa.

Resources for Racial Reconciliation

Two favorite resources return this year. First, a weekly curriculum perfect for an adult forum or small group during the week: Preparing to Become Beloved Community. Organized around the four sections of the Becoming Beloved Community labyrinth (telling the truth, repairing the breach, practicing the way, proclaiming the dream), the curriculum can help your small group or congregation to engage in racial reconciliation and reflect on Jesus’ coming among us. The curriculum is available in English, Spanish, and French. We’re also happy to announce a new season of Prophetic Voices: Preaching and Teaching Beloved Community, in which Shaneequa Brokenleg discusses the lectionary readings for each week with invited guests.

Resources for Faith Formation

In addition to our AdventWord offering, you can find a few resources that we offer year round—Lesson Plans That Work, which follows the Revised Common Lectionary and provides several lesson plans for each Sunday of the year, and D365, a set of daily devotions that marks each Advent with their “Following the Star” theme. And don’t forget to watch our video on creating rustic Advent wreathes! 

Other Resources

Check out a few additional resources available this year – there’s our Journeying the Way of Love Advent curriculum, Episcopal Migration Ministry’s “Las Posadas” and “Advent Prayer Vigil for Refuge and Home”, and Episcopal Relief & Development’s Advent Toolkit and St. Nicholas Day offerings.