Advent
Dear Christ Church,
As we enter the Advent season this Sunday (Dec 3), we have compiled a list of resources for your use.
Advent Resources:
– Pray the Daily Office throughout Advent (Families, did you know there are special “Family Prayer” liturgies in your BCP, abbreviated for your whole family to use? These begin on page 67 in your 2019 BCP). You especially don’t want to miss the incredible Advent collects (p. 598-599, 2019 BCP)!
– Check out “The Advent Project,” a fabulous source for those who have been observing Advent for decades and those who are new to the Church calendar. Under the “Resources” tab are a Bible reading plan, suggested Advent activities for children, a curated list of poetry (don’t miss Christina Rosetti’s “Sunday Before Advent”), and much more!
– Subscribe to The Visual Commentary on Scripture’s 2023 Advent Calendar, which will deliver carefully selected Advent-themed artwork and iconography to your inbox every day from Dec. 1-24.
– Subscribe to this incredible Advent resource from Biola University’s Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts.
Books Worth Reading:
– Hot off the presses—Tish Harrison Warren’s Advent: The Season of Hope, the newest installment of the Fullness of Time Series.
– Fleming Rutledge’s masterful Advent work, Advent: The Once & Future Coming of Jesus Christ
– The collection of short stories, poems, essays, sermons, Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas
– Rev. Dr. Tim Smith’s beautiful collection of daily reflections for Advent, The Light Has Shined, available free of charge in the narthex or church office.
– From Anglican Compass, A Thrill of Hope, a book on celebrating Advent in the home with recipes, readings, and traditions for your entire family.
– Check out this free PDF of the Advent chapter of Teach Us to Pray: Scripture-Centered Family Worship through the Year.
Music Worth Listening To:
Although every loudspeaker you pass over the next four weeks will be blasting Christmas music, there are so many wonderful Advent songs that reflect the expectant waiting and longing for Christ’s coming.
The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship provides “a list of songs to shape the Advent season.”
Check out some specially curated Advent playlists on Spotify (all you need is a free membership to listen):
Fr. Peter Smith’s Advent playlist for Living Faith Anglican Church in Tempe, AZ
Page CXVI (modern settings of ancient Advent hymns)
Advent, Vol. 1 by The Brilliance
Wishing all of you a sacred and expectant Advent season,
Dcn. Bree Snow