Advent - Christmas Information, Activities & Resources
Christmas Eve Candlelight Celebration
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This Christmas Eve, join us for a peaceful and contemplative celebration of Christ’s coming into the world as we reflect on the timeless words of our most beloved Christmas carols.
Tuesday - December 24th
5:00 PM Central Time |
Have you ever wondered why the shepherds were chosen to receive the good news? Why did kings travel from afar to Bethlehem? What story do these lyrics tell beyond the surface? Together, we’ll explore the deeper theological meaning behind these familiar songs and uncover how they speak to us about the Living Christ—born not just in history, but among us today. What do these carols reveal about hope, love, and renewal in our lives right now? Come and experience the beauty of song, story, and reflection as we celebrate Christmas as a global community. Beyond the Walls – Christmas Eve Candlelight Celebration. We invite you to share this hour of reflection, prayer, meditation, music, and fellowship with the Beyond the Walls global community on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
About the Advent Season
In Community of Christ, Advent is a season of waiting in expectation for the coming of light into a darkened world in the form of the infant Jesus. Advent is spent anticipating and spiritually preparing for the arrival of the Christ-child. Scriptures, symbols, and hymns help make Advent a time of expectation of Christ’s birth, rather than a frenzy of holiday tasks.
2024 Advent Theme
"Hope is Near"
December 1st 2024:
Joy Before Us
December 8th 2024:
Love Overflows
December 15th 2024:
The Lord is Near (Hope)
December 2024 22nd:
The Magnificat: A Vision of Justice
December 25th 2024
Christmas Day
"Hope is Near"
December 1st 2024:
Joy Before Us
December 8th 2024:
Love Overflows
December 15th 2024:
The Lord is Near (Hope)
December 2024 22nd:
The Magnificat: A Vision of Justice
December 25th 2024
Christmas Day
The focus text for Advent 2024 is the Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts. 52 He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, 55 according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever." Luke 1:46-55 NRSV
Mary’s song of praise to God, the Magnificat, is joyful and prophetic, a sharp confrontation to systems that destroy and oppress, and a hopeful vision for the future. Empowered by the sacred life forming within her, she dares to envision the world as it can be. We are invited to join Mary this Advent Season; in joyful anticipation of what is to come, singing a resistance song against the forces of division and destruction around us as we birth God’s future into being!
Advent Devotional Guide
from Community of Christ
from Community of Christ
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Experience the richness of Advent with our multi-generational devotional, designed to foster deeper relationships with God and one another. Each daily reflection, taking just 10 minutes, invites families and communities to explore the theme “Hope is Near.”
Discover where hope is emerging in your lives as you prepare for Christ’s birth .With a focus on Mary’s Magnificat, this devotional offers sacred simplicity and accessibility for all ages. Engage in meaningful rituals, share insights weekly, and cultivate a habit of seeing God’s hope at work around you. Wherever you are, hope is near—embrace it together this Advent season! |
Advent Family Traditions
Many people also participate in family traditions during Advent. Some may choose to read daily devotions or passages from the Bible, while others may attend special church services or sing Christmas hymns.
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The Christmas Story in the Bible
While the Bible contains many scripture references to the birth of Jesus. The Christmas story is found in two books of the New Testament. Luke 2:1-20 KJV Matthew 1:18 – 2:23 KJV |
Overall, the Advent season is a time of reflection, preparation, and celebration for Christians around the world.
Overall, the Advent season is a time of reflection, preparation, and celebration for Christians around the world.
Advent Wreath
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During the Advent season, Christians prepare themselves spiritually for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The lighting of the Advent wreath candles symbolizes the growing anticipation and hope as Christmas Day draws nearer.
Each candle on the wreath represents a different aspect of the season. The Advent Wreath candles represent love, peace, hope and joy. The Christ candle, which is placed in the center, is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to represent the arrival of Jesus Christ. |
Community of Christ Facebook page
Community of Christ and its affiliate organizations publish Advent Activities on their Facebook page. Click the image below for a direct link to this page.
CofChrist Facebook page
Community of Christ YouTube channel
Community of Christ and its affiliate organizations publish Advent Activities on their YouTube channel. Click the image below for a direct link to this page.
CofChrist YouTube channel
The Real Work of Christmas
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Christmas is usually filled with presents, baking, and decorating. But have you ever heard about the REAL work of Christmas?
What Christmas calls us to do? What Christmas pushes us toward? After the tinsel and ornaments are put away, the REAL work of Christmas begins. |
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Project Zion Podcast - Advent
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PZP 655 | Coffee to Go | First Sunday of Advent
It may be the beginning of a season of waiting, but not here at Project Zion! Co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith jump right into the new Lectionary year … journeying with Jesus through the gospel narratives. That’s right, we’re journeying with Jesus and waiting for him to be born. The important thing is that, on this First Sunday of Advent, as the world around us seems to be awash in darkness, we know that just around the corner, the light is coming! Be awake!!
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PZP 657 | Coffee to Go | Second Sunday of Advent
Are you ready to be fully immersed in something new? Put on your seatbelts and hold on to your hats. Today’s lectionary passage comes from Mark and he doesn’t waste any time with a beautiful birth narrative or an account of divine lineage. It’s straight to the business of preparing the way for the one greater than us. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a closer look at the task given to John the Baptist, and to us. You’ll get a chance to consider what opportunities you ought to consider in your own preparation for what is to come in this Advent Season.
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PZP 660 | Coffee to Go | Third Sunday of Advent
On this third Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves journeying with someone other than Jesus. Instead, we’re hanging out with the camel hair-wearing, locust-eating John the Baptist. It seems that Jesus wasn’t the only one the religious leaders were willing to interrogate. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they wander with John … clearly NOT Jesus, but rather the one that points to him. Perhaps we can pick up a few pointers from John as we wait for the true “light” to come.
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PZP 662 | Coffee to Go | Fourth Sunday of Advent
Somebody’s got some explaining to do. Mary may not doubt like Zechariah, but she’s not taking this without a little pushback. A baby. Are you kidding me? Well, in fact, Gabriel wasn’t kidding. Join Coffee to Go co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look into Mary’s angel encounter and what that meant for her, and for us. Could be that there is more going on here than what you find in a Precious Moments nativity.
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What is Epiphany?
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Epiphany is commonly defined as an experience of sudden and striking insight. In the Christian tradition, Epiphany celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. It is the twelfth day after Christmas. |
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Scripture recognizes the journey of the Three Kings, Wisemen or Magi who followed a star to honor the newborn king with their treasure.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:1-12 NRSV
1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."
3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.
8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."
9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
1 In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
2 asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage."
3 When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.
8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."
9 When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
11 On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
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Project Zion Podcast 793
Coffee to Go: Epiphany January 6th marks the celebration of the day in which the light of the world was revealed to all people … when God’s presence was made manifest among us. One might expect such a special occasion to be attended by religious leaders … at least the ones close by. But that’s not the way the story goes. Those who responded were likely astronomers from a foreign land. The unexpected revealed to the unexpected. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, for a look at Matthew’s story of the “Wisemen’s” visit to Bethlehem. See how God works through all people, regardless of religion, nationality, or occupation (real or imagined).
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The Gospel of Matthew tells us that "magi" from the East brought gifts to the infant Jesus following a mysterious star. Western Christianity commemorates this event with the feast of Epiphany, on January 6. What do we know about these wise men? Where did they come? Were they kings or Zoroastrian priests? Is there any evidence of a new star? We'll look at all these and other questions to reveal the meaning of this story from a mythological and theological view point. |
