Advent Unwrapped

Get ready for Christ(mas)! Advent—a holy, four-week countdown to Jesus’ birthday—begins on Sunday, December 1! Get ready to make room for Christ and the radical, countercultural messages that Christ brings.

Throughout the season, videos, prayers, family resources, and reflections on this page will introduce and explore the Christmas story. For more worship resources visit our Advent and Christmas worship pages. Follow our Advent Unwrapped Facebook page and subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates.

Worship Ideas

Advent Unwrapped 2024 Advent Prayers with the Church in the Holy Land (1.11 MB) (Word): Pause to pray with the church in the Holy Land who are seeking relief from the atrocities of war.
Advent Unwrapped 2024 Blue Christmas or Longest Night Service (49.17 KB) (Word): A new Blue Christmas service by Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites.
Advent Unwrapped 2024 Christmas Eve Worship Service (66.5 KB) (Word): A worship service for Christmas Eve, written by Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites.
Advent Unwrapped 2024 Making Space for the Grace of Hope (1C) (31.79 KB) (Word): An order of worship for Advent 1C.
Advent Unwrapped 2024 Making Space for the Grace of Joy (3C) (28.82 KB) (Word): An order of worship for Advent 3C.
Advent Unwrapped 2024 Making Space for the Grace of Love (4C) (33.38 KB) (Word): An order of worship for Advent 4C.
Advent Unwrapped 2024 Making Space for the Grace of Peace (2C) (33.39 KB) (Word): An order of worship for Advent 2C.
Advent Unwrapped 2024 Sermon Sparks (56.21 KB) (Word): Use these sermon sparks by Rev. Dr. Lisa Waites for your worship this Advent.
Advent Unwrapped 2024: Advent Prayers of the World (515.16 KB) (Word): Prayer, reflection, and solidarity with global partners.
Body Prayers (2.31 MB) (PDF): An Advent Unwrapped “action prayer” for each week of the Advent/Christmas season.
Christmas Candlelight Worship (148.56 KB) (PDF): A candlelight worship service by Susan Lukey.
Family Prayers and Blessings (221.67 KB) (PDF): An Advent Unwrapped resource of traditional prayers and creative blessings.
Hidden Gift Sunday (41.61 KB) (Word): A service that reflects the trials of 2020 while focusing on the spiritual gift of Joy.
In the Rich Dark of Winter: An Advent Communion Service (235.68 KB) (PDF): Using expansive scriptural imagery, the theme of this Advent Unwrapped service is anticipating God’s fulfilled promise of the renewal of all things.
Jesse Tree Advent Prayer Service (43.13 KB) (Word): An Advent prayer service rooted in the story of the Jesse Tree.
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (269.67 KB) (PDF): A one-rehearsal Advent Unwrapped pageant with the message "God is with us! We are not alone."
Sharing the News (40.39 KB) (Word): This light-hearted Advent Unwrapped Christmas pageant has been updated to reflect some of the major concerns of this decade.
Stories behind Carols: First Sunday after Christmas (37.2 KB) (Word): An Advent Unwrapped service based on the origins of some classic Christmas carols.
Worship Prayers for Advent (84.32 KB) (Word): Advent Candle Lighting time may be used at the start of worship, as an interactive devotional, or bible study.

Music

Advent Prayer Song (SAB) (Nancy Chegus) (61.83 KB) (PDF): Short SAB piece (a cappella, optional piano) suitable for worship during Advent. Please credit the composer.
Intercultural Hymn Festival for Advent (219.55 KB) (PDF): These songs with accompanying commentary can be combined with seasonal prayers and scripture readings to create an Advent hymn festival. Please credit Bruce Harding for this resource and the music arrangements.
Memory (Lyrics) (26.05 KB) (Word): Lyrics written by Mia Michelle McClain with the United Church of Christ and The United Church of Canada for Advent 2023.
Memory (Score) (406.55 KB) (PDF): Written and composed by Mia Michelle McClain with the United Church of Christ and The United Church of Canada for Advent 2023.
Scripture Music for Advent (239.47 KB) (PDF): Words and music to accompany scripture during Advent.
Service Music for Advent (329.68 KB) (PDF): Words and music for Advent services composed by Lisa Waites.

Related Material

Advent as a Season of Invitation (1.46 MB) (Word): Tips for working on the invitation-culture of your church during Advent.
Advent as a Season of Invitation Card (362.15 KB) (PDF): Use this fillable, printable card to invite others to your church to celebrate this Christmas season!
Advent as a Season of Invitation Video: United Church growth animators Tori Mullin and Scott Reynolds play out a conversation between neighbours with three possible responses to an invitation to Christmas worship. This conversation highlights the importance of hearing the needs of others while also respecting boundaries when inviting others to celebrate this Christmas season.
Advent Unwrapped 2024 Anti-Ableist Resource List (56.52 KB) (Word): An annotated resource list of anti-ableist books and podcasts for clergy and congregations.
Advent Unwrapped 2024 Prayer Calendar (429.79 KB) (PDF): This calendar of prayers is perfect for this December. Included: an Advent wreath activity!
Advent Unwrapped 2024: Advent Activities for the Whole People of God (676.48 KB) (PDF): Explore the reason for the season with this Advent guide.
Advent Unwrapped 2024: Spiritual Practices for the Whole Family (3.39 MB) (PDF): A guide full of spiritual practices for the entire family during Advent.
Advent: The Basics (103.03 KB) (PDF): Have some questions about Advent? Here are some answers!
Zine How-to Guide (121.87 KB) (PDF): Instructions on how to print, cut, and fold your pocket zine.
Zine: Advent Prayers for the Family (247.13 KB) (PDF): A pocket zine with prayers to share with your family during Advent.
Zine: Make Space for Grace (136.01 KB) (PDF): A pocket zine with space for your own Advent prayers and drawings.
Zine: Pocket Prayers for Advent (210.14 KB) (PDF): A pocket zine featuring Advent prayers by Catherine Faith MacLean.