Prepare The Way: 2019 Advent Resources

Already the sales have begun. Retailers are beginning early to compete for our money, our time, our attention. But the prophet Isaiah calls us to a different perspective of this time before the Christmas celebration. "The Lord is coming," says Isaiah. "Prepare the way for Him" (Isaiah 40:3). Clear out the clutter of your life. Put aside those things that distract you from receiving God.

Blessedly, the church provides for us the season of Advent. Advent calls us to slow down and take time to reflect on how we will receive the great gift of God coming to dwell among us. Advent asks us to make room for Him, to anticipate His coming with joyful reverence.

During this Advent season Adult Christian Formation for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas invites you to engage one or more of the following resources as part of your personal or congregation's preparation. Or simply determine to sit quietly for a period of time each day and consider what it means to receive Emmanuel - God with us.

Advent begins Sunday, December 1.

May God bless your ministry.

-Marjorie George
Adult Christian Formation
marjorie.george@dwtx.org

Prepare the Way Advent Study, from the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas

This four-week study from the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas' Christian Formation Department will look more deeply into the Old Testament passage for each Sunday in Advent. In the 2019 lectionary readings, Isaiah calls his people to turn away from things not of God and instead “walk in the light of the Lord” (Isaiah 2:5). Through this Advent study, written by the Rt. Rev. Gary Lillibridge, readers will become familiar with Isaiah’s words and call to apply them to our lives.

Click here to read the study materials. Visit christianformation-dwtx.org for audio recordings of the study; enter your email to follow the Christian Formation Blog and receive a weekly email guiding you to the lesson, with questions for reflection. This study will be especially appropriate for individuals, small groups, and group Bible studies.

• Questions? Contact Marjorie George, Adult Christian Formation, at marjorie.george@dwtx.org.

AdventWord, A Global Advent Calendar

For the sixth year, this popular Advent practice will gather Christians in prayer through a global, online Advent calendar. Click here to receive a daily word, visual, and short written meditation from Virginia Theological Seminary via email, or follow the AdventWordOrg on Facebook, Twittter, and Instagram. Beginning December 1, daily meditations will be available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole, with American Sign Language (ASL) videos, too. This global effort invites participants to post a reflection of where they find the #AdventWord as part of their spiritual journey.

• Click here to learn more about the 2019 AdventWord Calendar.

Advent Digital Invitation Kit, from The Episcopal Church

Continuing the invitation to connect “The Way of Love, Practices for a Jesus-Centered Life” more deeply to the seasons of the year, The Episcopal Church has developed free resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith. Click here for more information and to download the Advent Digital Invitation Kit it to help your congregation invite people to enter into this season of preparation.

The Advent Digital Invitation Kits, available in English and Spanish, are inspired by Mark 1:3 and Isaiah 40:3 "the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’" and include: a customizable poster, postcard, and flyer; a social media-ready graphic; and a Facebook cover image.

Journeying the Way of Love Advent Curriculum and Calendar

This four-week Advent curriculum and Advent calendar, available in English and Spanish from The Episcopal Church, is tied to readings and themes from the first two chapters of the Gospel of Luke and incorporates Way of Love practices as well as the nativity/infancy narrative of Jesus to enable participants to grow spiritually during this season of preparation. The calendar provides daily questions and actions to celebrate Advent, and is also available in French.

• Click here to download the Journeying the Way of Love Calendars and Curriculum

Advent and Christmas Resources

New and updated Advent resources for congregations, dioceses, and communities of faith are available online, at episcopalchurch.org/advent-and-christmas-resources. They include the Way of Love Digital Invitation Kit, updated Journeying the Way of Love Advent calendar and curriculum, AdventWord 2019, Sermons That Work compilation of Advent and Christmas selections, Advent reflections from Episcopal Migration Ministries, and Advent bulletin inserts.

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