Rebooting Advent
In this webinar we focus on what churches and formation leaders can do during Advent, sharing ideas and tips for how to meet your congregation where they are and journey with them. We talk big picture thinking and then move to practical ideas for Advent programs and events. Join presenters Angela Nelson and Sybil MacBeth and host Keith Anderson for a discussion of how to reboot your Advent observances! View the presentation slides here.
Resources
Resources for Advent Theology and Themes (Planning)
The Season of the Nativity – Sybil Macbeth
An Advent Sourcebook – Thomas J. O’Gorman from Liturgy Training Publications
Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God – Bobby Gross
Calendar: Christ’s Time for the Church – Laurence Hull Stookey
The New Handbook of the Christian Year – (Based on the Revised Common Lectionary)
Journey into the Heart of God: Living the Liturgical Year – Phiip H. Pfatteicher
Resources for Households and Congregations
Advent Conspiracy – reframing Advent and the holiday frenzy
Christian Seasons Calendar – A calendar laid out by liturgical season rather than month, including Sunday readings for each Sunday of the year
Perpetual Liturgical Calendar – from A Sacred Journey
Advent with Sacred Ordinary Days – Spotify Playlist
Advent Coloring Pages and Materials – Illustrated Children’s Ministry
Advent Wreaths and Devotionals
Metal Wreath Forms
Candles
Devotionals from Candle Press
Nativity story cubes – for purchase, or to make from Flame Creative Children’s Ministry
Children’s Books (Elementary School and Household Use)
Look: A Child’s Guide to Advent & Christmas – Laura Alary – Connection between liturgical practice of the church, stories of Scripture, and rhythms of the natural world
Come Worship with Me – Ruth Boling
Manger – compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins, illustrated by Helen Cann – collection of poems written from the perspective of animals
Christmas is Here – words from KJV illustrated by Lauren Castillo
Children’s Books (Young Children, Preschool – 2nd Grade)
Who is Coming to Our House? – Joseph Slate – Animals wonder about and anticipate the arrival of the Holy Family. How will they welcome them?
B is for Bethlehem: A Christmas Alphabet – Isabel Wilner – A fun rhyming account of the events of the nativity that includes some important historical references and context
The Birds of Behlehem – Tomie DePaolo – the birds are spreading the news, a special baby has been born
About the Presenters
Sybil MacBeth is the author of Praying in Color and The Season of the Nativity: Confessions and Practices of an Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Extremist, in which she offers readers the opportunity to experience the church seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany as a whole. For years a self-professed “Advent Extremist,” Sybil MacBeth uses the six weeks from Advent through Epiphany as a time to be more intentional about preparing for and celebrating the Incarnation and what it means for our daily living beyond Christmas.
Rev. Angela Compton Nelson is the Minister of Christian Education at the Church of the Holy Family in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She is an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Angela oversees the Christian formation of young people at Holy Family beginning with the baby and toddler nurseries and through high school. She oversees formation for students and their families in Sunday School, at-home faith formation, Confirmation, Acolytes, all-parish events in various seasons, Episcopal Youth Community (EYC), and Vacation Bible School in the summer.