The Michigan Conference has created a variety of resources, including a complete Christmas Day worship service, for congregations to use to prepare for Advent and Christmas.
REV. KATHY PITTENGER
Children’s Initiatives Coordinator, Michigan Conference
Snow is in the forecast, and Advent is right around the corner! Growing up, my church did some kind of intergenerational Advent event. Some years it was a play that the children and youth performed, other years it was an event with activities. I don’t remember many of the plays or activities from those events, but I do remember the people. I lived close to both sets of grandparents and we all attended the same church. Those events were opportunities to spend time with my extended family and church family. I learned about the Advent wreath and what each candle means. I learned about waiting and how hard it can be! Advent is captivating with the sounds, smells, tastes, and experiences that lead up to Christmas.
As I listen to the faith formation leaders I work with, this fall has been particularly joyful and stressful in the same breath. People are returning to church, but there is grief over those who have or will not. Ministries that have been postponed since before the pandemic are starting up again. Some are extremely well-attended, while others have not. We are asking hard questions about why and what and how in terms of mission and leadership and vision for the future. Christmas is also on a Sunday this year, which brings about its own set of joys and challenges.
In light of all these things, several creative ideas were born, all of which can be accessed from the Michigan Conference Advent Resources web page. First, to lighten your load or support your congregation, the Michigan Conference has produced a complete 2022 Christmas Day Worship Service with music for your church to use. You’ll also find wrap-around resources for how you might utilize the worship video in your church and community, ideas for worship bags for all ages, worship resources, and a digital faith formation playlist.
The Advent Resources web page also provides resources for Blue Christmas, a candle-lighting liturgy, devotionals for a range of ages and interests, and elements that could be incorporated into your Advent or Christmas worship.
We also know that money might be tight, and the Discipleship Grant Team is excited to offer mini-grants for Advent and Christmas curriculum, resources, or supplies. This opens up possibilities for churches that would like to purchase and use resources from A Sanctified Art or Illustrated Ministry or a study from Cokesbury. It could also support your congregation having an Advent event or Christmas worship bags.
Ideas for Christmas pageants and Christmas Eve family worship services, Advent and Christmas children’s books, celebrating a baby’s first Christmas, family devotionals, and more are available from the Children’s Ministry Toolbox for Advent. Many resources are free for congregations to use.
As Christmas seems to become more and more commercialized (and the commercials start earlier and earlier), perhaps this is the time for the Church to use the season of Advent as a way to focus our hearts, minds, and hands as we wait for the Christ child.
How will you be creatively celebrating the season of Advent and Christmas, and how can we help you? Email me at [email protected] if you have questions or ideas to share.
Last Updated on October 31, 2023