Advent - Christmas Information, Activities & Resources
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.
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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
The focus text for Advent 2024 is the Magnificat 
​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
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.”
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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! 
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Click the button to download this Advent Devotional guide (pdf) free from Community of Christ.
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.
​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
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​Overall, the Advent season is a time of reflection, preparation, and celebration for Christians around the world.
Advent Wreath
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.
No Church Building – No Problem

Emporia Community of Christ does not have a church facility in Emporia KS.  We recommend visiting the Community of Christ website to find both in person and online Advent Activities produced by Community of 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.
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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.
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CofChrist YouTube channel
The Real Work of Christmas
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
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!!​
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.
​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.
​​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.