ADVENT

ad·vent
/ˈadˌvent/

noun
the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.

For most of us, the weeks from Thanksgiving to Christmas are a blur. There are parties to go to, gifts to buy, food to prepare (or eat), and before we know it, it’s all over. The period leading up to Christmas, what the Church for centuries has celebrate as Advent, is a season, not just of preparing all the “stuff” for Christmas, but preparing our hearts. It’s a season of slowing down and waiting, of expecting and longing for - the Advent, the arrival, the coming Jesus.

For hundreds of years, Christians have used the Advent season to prepare for the coming of Christ. Through meditating on the Scriptures, lighting candles to celebrate each passing week, and using this time to reflect on Jesus' coming, we’re reminded what it all means. Through Advent we not only remember Jesus' coming in the past, we also anticipate the Advent of his future return, as well as his very real "arrival" in our lives today.

Check out our Advent resources below as you reflect on this special season.

Online Resources

"Once upon a time, there was a season in the church year known as “Advent.” The word comes to us from the Latin for “coming.” The purpose of the season was to anticipate the coming of Christ to earth; it was a season that focused on waiting....." Read More

Download this Advent family devotional. Each week has helpful tools for leading your family, including connections points to the Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones.

The Bible Project

Throughout the Church's history, Advent has been remembered in many ways. One of the prominent ways to celebrate Advent has been through tracing four key themes of Jesus' arrival: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. These Bible Project videos examine these themes biblically.