Advent resources for 2015

Do you want to add meaning and joy to your Advent journey, as you prepare your heart for Christmastide in hopeful expectation? Online resources can provide some inspiration in the midst of your busyness

Watch a video Advent message from Bishop Scott Mayer.

AdventWord from SSJE

AdventWord offers a great way to reflect on one little word each day, and respond with images and prayers that speak to your heart. There are at least four ways you can use AdventWord:

• You can print out the advent calendar for daily use: download and print this letter-sized PDF
• You can subscribe by email: sign up here and each morning, starting on November 29, you will receive an email with an image, an Advent word and a short meditation.
• You can follow #AdventWord on social media on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and connect with for inspiration and reflections from around the world.
• You can help create a global Advent calendar online by posting your visual reflection of the daily #AdventWord on Instagram and Twitter. Upload and tag your individual photo with the hashtag #AdventWord and the word tag of the day. The Anglican Communion Office is asking Episcopalians and Anglicans around the world for daily social conversations conversations using one simple word.

d365.org Daily Devotionals – Following the Star

At d365.org, daily online devotions take on a seasonal theme beginning with first Sunday in Advent on November 29. Following the Star is written for teenage youth and the adults who work with them. Subscribe to the website to receive a daily reminder or download the iTunes app d365 Daily Devotions by Passport, Inc. This service is a collaborative initiative of the Youth Ministries offices of The Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church USA, and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

CandlePress Weekly Calendar

CandlePress.com offers a weekly calendar for families to leave on their table or in a gathering space, with tips for getting started, a story, some things to watch for, and discussion starters.Download and print their 4-page calendar.

Praying in Color Advent Calendars

Praying in Color offers adults and children a way to mark the day-by-day journey to Christmas by daily praying & drawing with a calendar template. The author says, “When I draw, color, and doodle my own Advent calendar, I feel like I’m building something rather than tearing it apart. It is a countup to Christmas, not a countdown. At the end of the 20-some days, the finished Advent calendar is a colorful reminder of what was in my head and on my heart. It is a record of my spiritual journey through Advent.” Three calendar templates are offered, along with suggestions for ways to pray with doodling. View and download Praying in Color Advent Calendars.

Black & White Illustrated Advent Devotional Calendar

The 2015 Advent Devotional Calendar designed by Thomas Mousin and Merry Watters and published on their website is a simple calendar that suggests a scripture reading and devotion for each day of Advent. It’s easy to print and use at home. View & print this one-page calendar.

Episcopal Relief & Development Advent Calendar & Resources

Episcopal Relief & Development has a printable Advent Calendar as part an Advent Toolkit of resources that center around Gifts for Life. View and print ERD’s calendar. 

Not quite sure what Advent is? Struggling to explain it?

The video “Advent in 2 Minutes” from bustedhalo.com may be what you need!