This year’s Church of England Advent and Christmas theme focuses on the first and greatest Christmas gift of all: the gift of God being born as one of us in Jesus Christ.
We’ve curated a rich collection of resources to help churches and communities engage with the Church of England’s Advent and Christmas theme: The Gift of Christmas. The collection includes content tailored to different learning styles and reflective practices, making it easy for everyone to find something meaningful.
You can also find all these national resources on the Church of England website.
Our Advent theme
Our Advent theme: The Gift of Christmas
This year’s theme focuses on the first and greatest Christmas gift of all: the gift of God being born as one of us in Jesus Christ. The Gift of Christmas invites us to join with our communities this Advent and Christmas:
- to celebrate the great gift God offers to each one of us in the birth of Jesus
- to receive that gift – and all God gives to us – with gratitude and joy, and
- to respond to God’s generosity by serving others, especially those in need.
An A-Z of Advent
An A-Z of Advent
During Advent, there will be daily reflections exploring Advent from A to Z. These reflections will explore 24 key terms we are likely to encounter as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming among us. From 30 November to 24 December, Imogen Ball, Bishop Philip North and Andrew Zihni will unpack a different character, place, symbol or idea. Download an overview of the themes, readings & contributors.
Like the Church of England’s Christmas reflections, Advent from A to Z is available now in book form from Church House Publishing and will provide content from 30 November to Christmas Eve in the Everyday Faith app.
Download sample pages from the reflection booklet, ‘Advent from A to Z’.
Download the Advent Activity and Colouring Sheets. This free downloadable resource is adapted (with permission) from Advent from A to Z: A day-by-day guide to the season, available now from Church House Publishing.
Last year’s Church House Publishing resource, O Come Emmanuel: Reflections on the Advent Antiphons is also suitable for use any Advent, with sheet music for all seven settings of the Advent antiphons commissioned last year now available from the RSCM. Find out more at cofe.io/OComeEmmanuel.
The Gift of Christmas
This year’s The Gift of Christmas reflections
This year’s Church of England Christmas reflections journey will feature Christians whose daily lives have given them a particular connection with the Gospel stories about the birth of Jesus.
The reflections are introduced by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Following Archbishop Sarah’s reflection for Christmas Day, we will hear from contributors whose work has required them to keep watch by night; those who have worked to support new parents, to care for new-born lambs or observe the stars.
Twelve people – with very different backgrounds and callings – will explore how the blessings of heaven entered so many ordinary lives and invite us to share those blessings by the welcome, hospitality and service we offer to others.
Download an overview of the themes, readings & contributors.
The Gift of Christmas: Meditations for the Twelve Days of Christmas is available to order as a booklet from Church House Publishing (published mid-September) individually, in 10-Packs, 50-Packs and Large Print.
Preview sample pages from The Gift of Christmas booklet
They will also be available via email, and the Everyday Faith app will also feature them from 25 December to 5 January.
A musical journey through Advent
A musical journey through Advent
A–Z of Advent: A Musical Journey offers a creative way to journey through Advent alongside the Church of England’s national A–Z of Advent theme. Each of the 24 days explores a different Advent word, person or image, accompanied by a carefully chosen piece of music, a short reflection, a listening prompt and a prayer. Drawing on choral music, hymns, carols, contemporary music and music from different traditions, this resource invites individuals, families and churches to slow down, listen and make space for the mystery, hope and wonder of Christ’s coming. Use it day by day at home, share it with your community, or explore it together as a small group through Advent.
You can download the Spotify playlist to use with this resource here.
Podcasts
Podcasts and videos
- Created last year, a podcast from the Diocesan Worship Working Group exploring the Advent Antiphons:
‘And also with you’ – A podcast on reclaiming an ancient Christian faith for modern Christian life:
For children and young people
For children and young people
- From the Diocese of York:
- A directory of resources for use at home, church and school provided by the members of the Parachurch Organisations Network of the Growing Faith Foundation.
- Christmas episodes from the Cheeky Pandas