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 and subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates.
Worship Ideas
- Advent Unwrapped 2024 Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service (49.17 KB) (Word): A new Blue Christmas service by Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites.
- Blue Christmas Service (2022) (89.2 KB) (Word): A worship service for those who have suffered loss.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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."
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 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: The Basics (103.03 KB) (PDF): Have some questions about Advent? Here are some answers!
- Your (Unofficial) Guide to Advent (1.15 MB) (PDF): Learn about Advent traditions and find fun Advent activities in this all-in-one guide!
- 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: Pocket Prayers for Advent (210.14 KB) (PDF): A pocket zine featuring Advent prayers by Catherine Faith MacLean.
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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