Advent and Christmas Resources

Advent, the beginning of the church year, starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. It is a time of preparation, anticipation, and hope.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the "Light of the World." Epiphany, also called "Three Kings Day," is the climax of the Christmas season for Protestants.

2013-2014 Dates for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany:

• 1st Sunday of Advent    December 1, 2013
• 2nd Sunday of Advent    December 8, 2013
• 3rd Sunday of Advent    December 15, 2013
• 4th Sunday of Advent    December 22, 2013
• Christmas Eve    Tuesday, December 24, 2013
• Christmas Day    December 25, 2013
• Epiphany January 6, 2014

Liturgies and Music:

• Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgies, updated annually, include ideas for making an Advent wreath, devotions from missionaries and Global Ministries staff, song choices, and musical arrangements. Each article includes downloadable Advent Devotions for each Sunday in Advent and for Christmas Eve. 

                     Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgy, Year C, 2012

• Explore and make use of these previous annual liturgies:

                     Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgy (Year B, 2011)
                     Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgy (Year A, 2010)
                     Advent Wreath Lighting Liturgy (Year C, 2009)

• Several global songs will enhance your singing this Advent season. Read "Sing the World Round in Advent" and learn about two songs.

• For Christmas, read "Sing the World Round at Christmas" for more global song choices including the French song "Glorie à Dieu" and a song in a language spoken in southern Mozambique.