Online Advent Calendar

 Use and visit an online Advent Calendar, with a Jesse Tree emphasis

Available https://sydney.lutheran.org.au/advent-calendar/ 

LWF Hymns of Advent

During this Advent season, the LWF has invited some of its member churches to share hymns from their congregations to show how the communion of churches prepares for Christ’s coming into this world.

We want to use this period to reflect on and celebrate the diversity, uniqueness and oneness of God’s gifts to us.

Martin Luther wrote:
I would certainly like to praise music with all my heart as the excellent gift of God which it is and to commend it to everyone. . . it has been instilled and implanted in all creatures, individually and collectively. For nothing is without sound or harmony. Even the air. . .

Visit
https://www.lutheranworld.org/advent-hymns

3 Advent songs of the month

Come to us

Words
Come To Us
Verse 1
Scattered and broken bent in our way
We are Your people gathered to praise You
A vineyard uprooted narrow in sight
Come Lord of glory come Lord of light

Chorus 1
Come to us O Lord of glory and shine in our hearts
Come to us O Lord of glory and make us anew
Lord we wait for You Lord we wait for You
Lord we wait for You come Lord of glory

(ADVENT CHORUS)

Chorus 2
Come to us O Child of glory be born in our hearts
Come to us O Child of glory and make us anew
We adore You we adore You
We adore You sweet Child of glory

(CHRISTMAS CHORUS)

Verse 2
Come Lord our dayspring come from on high
As we Your people gather to praise You
Unworthy to taste from Your heavenly vine
But Your word will heal us come light divine

Verse 3
Come Root of Jesse come David's son
Come Star of Morning we come to praise You
Hope of creation of all humankind
Reign over body spirit and mind

Ending
Lord we wait for You come Lord of glory

(ADVENT ENDING)

Ending
We adore You sweet Child of glory

(CHRISTMAS ENDING)

CCLI Song # 6149833
Greg Walton
© 2011 spiritandsong.com

Come Lord Jesus

Words

Verse 1
When the war is over and the battles are done
We shall see our Savior shining like the sun

Verse 2
Every tear He will dry every shadow will flee
All those in Christ Jesus will be made complete
Will be made complete

Chorus
Come Lord Jesus
Listen to creation groan
Come Lord Jesus
Come and take Your people home

Verse 3
Every tongue will praise Him every knee will bow
When we see our Savior riding on the clouds
Riding on the clouds

Bridge
Now we see in part then we'll see in full
Your glory Jesus will satisfy our souls

CCLI Song # 7096635

Marc Willerton

© Sovereign Grace Worship (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing)

Watchman

Words

Well His morning comes (morning comes)

And O the Son will rise again (rise again)

All of the earth will be filled

With His glorious light

And even when (even when)

The day is short and evening comes (evening comes)

I know in Him even darkness

Even the darkness is light

I know in Him even darkness

Even the darkness is light

Verse 1

Tell me watchman now what of the morning

Is the end of the night coming soon

I've been waiting and praying and longing

For the One Who is faithful and true

But I know He's the hope for the helpless

And a comfort to all those who mourn

Is the song of His glorious returning

Rising up on the wings of the dawn

Verse 2

Tell me watchman now what of the morning

For we sing of the light of the world

And we sing of the one they call Jesus

Who is mighty in deed and in word

For I know He's the Son of the Highest

And I know that His vict'ry is won

And the song of His glorious returning

Rises up on the wings of the dawn

CCLI Song # 5462463

Robin Mark

© 2009 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by SHOUT! Music Publishing)

Advent Devotions and activties

Advent can be a busy time, yet amongst this busyness we can be blessed when we intentionally stop to make sure we are receiving from God not just some wise words, but some inspiring and life giving words.

Free Devotions
The following organisations provide free Advent Devotions that can be printed and distributed to congregations or viewed via an app.

Lutheran Hour Ministries - The Coming King
Easter Lutheran Church - Christianity is a verb
Luther Seminary - Hark the Glad Sound
Lutheran Tract Mission Australia - Jesus is coming
Lutheran Tract Mission Australia - Countdown to Christmas kids


More Devotions and activities
Illustrated Children's Ministry 
Advent Resource Kit from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Grow Ministries Inter generational Advent 
Advent Pack - Secondary and Primary School aged activities 


Advent Resources
Concordia Publishing House
Augsburg Fortress
Sola Publishing 
North Western Publishing 
Emmanuel Press

5 intro to Advent videos

2017 Christmas and Advent resources

Advent and Christmas resources

Lutheran Church of Australia
Christmas worship resources including children's presentations,
Advent Year B
Grow Ministries and Grow Ministries Advent 

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Living our Baptism 5 gifts of discipleship
Essay:  The Advent wisdom project 
Bible Studies Advent
Bible Studies Christmas
Congregational Communication Tools
Daily Lectionary Advent
Daily Lectionary Christmas

Lutheran Church Missouri Synod resources including:
Banners, bulletins, stoles, wreaths and candles
Gifts, Bible studies, books, church supplies and music
FAQ - history of Advent and the meaning of the Advent wreath
FAQ - What date was Jesus born?
Who is Jesus?
Chapel Talks for Advent
Church Year: Sundays and Seasons
LCMS Lectionary
LetUsPray
Good King Wenceslas (It’s all about Mercy)
Unwrapping the Gifts
Christmas Mourning
Advent Devotions
Advent Devotions Transforming this Christmas beyond our circumstances.
Advent Devotions in Spanish
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League Christmas Collection on CD
Advent Chain and Christmas Ornaments
Advent Joy-A-Tude
The Advent Wreath Devotional
Christmas Wrappings, Devotional
Scripture Advent Chain Instructions
Christmas Ornaments (4) — Downloadable
One Extraordinary Night — Bible Study by Donna Pyle
No Stranger in the Manger — Bible Study by Donna Pyle
The Joy of Christmas Mustard Seeds Packet

Wisonsin Evangelical Lutheran Church
Article Too much Christmas
Article Traditions with a purpose
Teen Devotions 

Books, gifts and church resources

CPH
Augsburg Fortress
North West Publishing
Sola Publishing 
Australian Church Resources 

Worship

Textweek
Includes readings, images, movies, commetaries, lectionary reflections, group studies, worship resources, prayer, hymns, resources for children and drama

Advent Devotions

Lutheran Hour Ministries free devotions for congregational distribution
Luther Seminary
Higher Things
Vibrant Faith - taking Advent Home

www.lutheranmission.blogspot.com 

previous years entries

Advent and Christmas

Christmas 

Bible Society of Australia
Free resource: the really Good News of Christmas
/https://www.biblesociety.org.au/reallygood/

Advent Candle Lighting resource

Books and Devotions

 

6 books for Advent

The Little Book of Advent: Daily Wisdom From the World's Greatest Spiritual Teachers compiled by Canon Arthur Howells 
The Little Book of Advent is an indispensable collection of readings from some of the most celebrated modern-day spiritual writers, with passages specially selected for each day of Advent.
These carefully chosen insights come from men and women, lay and ordained, across the denominational spectrum, and their wisdom is combined with both a suggested scripture passage, and a prayer to make your own.
This book can be used either for self-reflection or to spark discussion in groups during an Advent course. It is a volume that will become a treasured part of your prayer life during the run-up to Christmas, and can be used year after year.
Canon Arthur Howells is a retired priest, having served all his ministry in the Church in Wales.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy: A Christmas Feast of Faith and Fun by Pam Rhodes  

Pam Rhodes is best known as the familiar face of the BBC's Songs of Praise, and here she brings together her personal selection of carols, poems, Bible readings and other inspirational passages from a wide range of sources.
As well as the usual old favourites - from Hark the Herald Angels Sing to the stories of the shepherds and the wise men visiting the baby Jesus - there are plenty of lighter moments, with excerpts from Gervase Phinn's memoirs and funny poems by modern writers. Alongside the items themselves Pam shares some of her own Christmas reminiscences and explores the resonance of the Christmas story for all our lives in her trademark inviting and heartwarming style.

There is something here for everyone, from those wanting to enjoy dipping in for a taste of Christmas to those needing a sourcebook to inspire selections for Christmas services. Enjoy!

Songs for the Waiting by Magrey R. deVega 
Despite the presence of many beautiful Advent songs in many of our hymnals, most of us would prefer to skip right to singing our favorite Christmas carols. But in our rush to get to the joy of Christmas, we forget what Advent is all aboutwatching and waiting for the coming of a promised king.
It is not about shopping, partying, gift wrapping, and vacationing. It is about resting, trusting, praying, and seeking. Through the words of moving Advent hymns and the powerful words of Scripture, Songs for the Waiting will help readers reclaim a sense of the beautiful anticipation and preparation that is central to Advent.

Lighted Windows: An Advent Calendar for a World in Waiting by Margaret Silf 

The world waits - sometimes holding its breath in fear of what tomorrow may bring, sometimes in a haze of busyness, or boredom, in which we hardly know what we are waiting for. Yet we still wait in hopefulness. The birth of a baby invariably stirs deep wells of hope in the human heart. Perhaps in this generation, things will get better. Perhaps this child will make a difference. As we approach the Christmas season we prepare to celebrate the coming to earth of someone who really does make a difference. At this season the 'windows' of our human experience can change from rows of faceless panes, perhaps grimy with dirt, into lighted windows that open up new possibilities and coax us into a place where rejoicing might be possible. The journey mapped out in this book is an invitation to look into some of these lighted windows, and discover a few reflections of what we wait for, and long for-reflections of God's guidance, his call to trust him and live by his wisdom. Each window seeks to bring familiar scripture into focus with everyday living, encouraging us to enter right into the place where God is coming to birth, and to make the experience of Bethlehem our own. And finally, the windows become doors, through which we are sent back to a waiting world to share our personal experience of God-with-us.

Be Not Afraid: An Advent Devotional for Busy People by Christ John Otto

December is the busiest time of the year for most people. For many it is a time of anxiety, depression, and fear. This hope-filled book is filled with short readings and prayers based on the first chapter of Luke. The readings are short, and the message is clear: Be not afraid.

When Will It Be Christmas? 25 Stories and Family Activities for Advent Hardcover by Carol Garborg 

Capture the childhood excitement and joy of counting down the days until Christmas with this fun hands-on devotional. Scripture, questions, stories, and simple activities draw families together to celebrate the coming of Christmas. It is the one present all members of the family will be happy to share!

Advent Program: Truth in the Tinsel

Truth in the tinsel is an interactive devotional experience....each day you will be lead through a passage of scripture, make a Christmas ornament that corresponds to the reading and engage in discussion with your family.

There are 3 resources available

The truth in the tinsel ebook, which is the main resource for families...
Click here to buy Truth in the tinsel ebook costs $7.99

The truth in the tinsel ornaments templates (for those who want a head start on making the ornaments)
Click here to buy Truth in the Tinsel ornaments costs $3.99

The truth in the tinsel church curriculum ideal for Youth club, Sunday school etc.
Click here for Truth in the tinsel church curriculum costs $49.99

Click here to visit ohAmanda.com.

Advent Liturgy - suitable for the Southern Hemisphere

Many of the litanies for the lighting of the Advent candles in worship might strike you as very ‘Northern Hemisphere’. The coming of light in the darkness is very appropriate when you are in the winter season, and the days are getting shorter.
In Australia however, it might be time to think differently of Advent in terms of what so many hope and long for at this time of year – water. From a cool drink to a drenching summer storm, to protection from bushfires, water, as a symbol, reminds us what so many need at this time of year.
Ben Hentschke from the Ipswich Lutheran Church has developed such a liturgy found here

Book: Characters of Christmas - Advent Candle Lighting reflectrions

Characters of Christmas - Advent Candle Lighting reflections is an ideal resource for congregations or individuals as they prepare for Christmas through the Advent season.

This resource offers
Weekly reflection skits of the characters of:
Wisemen
Shepherds
Animals
Mary
and Jesus

A daily bible reading plan

Paperback available at https://www.createspace.com/5769830


Kindle edition available at 

2015 Advent resources

Advent resources for 2015

Advent and Christmas resources from:
Augsburg Fortress
Concordia Publishing House
Sola Publishing
Messy Church
Church House Publishing 

Advent Conspiracy - Can Christmas still change the world?  The Christmas story is a story of love, hope, redemption and relationship. So, what happened? How did it turn into stuff, stress and debt? Somehow, we’ve traded the best story in the world for the story of what’s on sale.  The Advent Conspiracy is about helping congregations focus on Christmas being a time of Worshipping fully, Spending less, Giving more, Loving all!!

Advent - intergenerational event from Loyola Press
Advent traditions carnival

Advent Calendar history
Create your own advent video calendar

How to make an Advent wreath

Teacher's resources

Jesse Tree resources

Advent Worship Resources
Worship Planning and Sermon themes
Perth Anglican Diocese
United Methodist Church Worship Resources
Textweek
Richard J Fairchild
Amazing Love worship series
Re:  Worship

Advent Devotions
Listening to Luke
Lutheran Hour Ministries

Previous www.lutheranmission.blogspot.com Advent Resources

Advent Devotional Books

Advent Devotions: Life on the Jesse Tree

Life on the Jesse Tree is a Series of Advent Devotions from the Royal Redeemer Worshipping Community
The tradition of the Jesse Tree dates back to the Middle Ages. The Church of that day began to explore the lineage of Christ and the family tree listed in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. As they explored the stories of those in this family line, they saw that each and every one of them ultimately pointed to the coming of this baby born in a manger in Bethlehem.
Life on the Jesse Tree is a series of 25 daily devotionals written by the staff of Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church and School along with key Bible references.
To download a copy of these Advent Devotions visit:  http://royred.net/files/8813/8800/2176/JesseTreeDevotions_complete.pdf

Advent: alternative tunes for Advent hymns

Rev Thomas Weitzel has compiled a list of alternative tunes for some of the Advent hymns appearing in Lutheran hymnals...

visit:  http://www.liturgybytlw.com/AdvXmas/AltTunes.html

Advent Song for candle lighting: based on the song Be Still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am God has been adapted for the lighting of the Advent Candles...hope, peace, joy and love...using the music of the traditional song...be still and know that I am God

MP3 tune available:  http://www.smallchurchmusic.com/MP3-2010/MP3-BeStillAndKnow-SBand-128-CAM.mp3

Sheet music available:  http://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Score_PDF/BeStillAndKnowThatIAmGod.pdf

Advent music, songs, hymns and carols

Advent as the season that leads to Christmas brings anticipation and lament.......following are some links to suggestions for Advent music

Article:  What songs work well in Advent?

The Voice
has compiled a list of hymns and songs including traditional, contemporary and advent songs set to carol tunes

Singing the Lectionary Advent Hymn/Song Suggestions

Oregon Catholic Press Listing of Advent Hymns

St Johns College Choir Advent Carols

ChoralWiki listing of Advent hymns

Pastor Peters of Grace Lutheran Church Advent hymn suggestions


Lutheranhymnal suggestions

Praise and Worship Songs for Advent

Reform Worship traditional and contemporary songs

Lutheran Church of Australia Worship Planning
Advent 1
Advent 2
Advent 3
Advent 4

Word to Worship - Contemporary Music for the Lectionary
Advent 1
Advent 2
Advent 3
Advent 4

Worship Current - Contemporary Songs for Advent

Acoustic Guitar forum - Contemporary Worship Songs for Advent

Song and Praise hymn suggestions


Advent Music on Youtube

Article: 3 things to aim for in Advent

Check out this article from Jamie Brown, which encourages us to build anticipation, express lament and encourage people to be still

Advent resources

Advent Candle Lighting
Australian Lutheran World Service
Northern Tasmania Lutheran Parish - characters of Christmas
Advent Year A based on Epistle Readings

Advent Devotions
Lutheran Hour Ministries -  Home for the holidays
Luther Seminary - Your people long to greet you
Lutheran Indian Ministries 
ELCIC - Canada 
Mayer Lutheran School - by staff and students
LCA Commission of Worship - Advent devotion Advent option 1, Advent option 2, Christmas
Discipleshomemissions

Advent initiatives
Advent Conspiracy

Various
Textweek includes advent candle lighting liturgies, Jesse tree liturgies, Advent worship planning and resources, hanging of the greens and articles
Faithink
Grow Ministries Australia - FAITHINK AUST, GIFT child, youth and family resources

Books

Augsburg-Fortress Advent Devotions

Holy Moly Advent resources

CPH - God's love at Christmas worship and bible study resource

Previous Advent links on www.lutheranmission.blogspot.com
http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/christmas-and-advent-resources.html
http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/2012-advent-and-christmas-resources.html
http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/advent-resources.html
http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/advent-and-christmas-plays.html


If you have an advent resource you would like to share or can recommend some please email richardschwedes@gmail.com with the details

Advent Candle Lighting Reflections - Australian Lutheran World Service

These Advent Candle lighting reflections have been prepared to help us remember what we receive from God as we celebrate Christmas and to encourage us, part of His church, to share these gifts with others.
They include stories of how God has been at work through Australian Lutheran World Service to bring hope, love, joy, peace and His light to people around the world, as well as biblical reflections.
They are ideal for the beginning of worship, chapels at school and aged care facilities and home devotions...

Visit https://www.alws.org.au/churches.html to obtain the ALWS Advent Candle Lighting Reflections.

Christmas and Advent Resources

Advent and Christmas offers us many opportunities to share the story of God coming into this world to save us....

Following are some resources that may help you and your congregation reflect on this message, grow deeper in this message and share this message

if you have come across something that you believe would benefit others or have developed a Advent or Christmas resource that you are willing to share please email me 

Earlier Lutheranmission suggestions

http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2007/09/christmas-time-for-outreach.html

http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/simple-ways-to-highlight-jesus-at.html

Chrismons ornaments

Since 1957 the Ascension utheran Church in Danville Virginia have been helping families and congregations share the message of Christmas through Christmas tree ornaments that are appropriate for a Christian church tree.   Visit their site to discover more resources relating to Chrismons

Thanksgiving/Advent/Christmas seasons worship and family devotion resource from Kerr resources

Advent

Earlier Lutheranmission suggestions 
Intergernational activity fromBuilding Faith 

Ministry matters adventsuggestions  

Lutheran Hour Ministries offers 2 Advent devotions,  Word became flesh and Advent people (for younger adults)  

Luther Seminary days of desire waiting for the advent dawn devotions 

Textweek worship resources

Nativity Plays

Earlier Lutheranmission suggestions

http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/2012-advent-and-christmas-resources.html

http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2009/09/christmas-resources.html

http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2008/11/advent-and-christmas-plays.html

http://lutheranmission.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/cph-christmas-program-2010-gods-love-at.html

Nativity in Rhyme by Eula Wilkin2011 

Family Worship including Narnia Christmas Script, The Greatest Story ever told script and Virtual Christmas script

Lamp unto my feet devotions

"O Come, All Ye Faithful"

The Gifts Of Christmas

My Christmas Essay

Go And Tell

The Christmas Gift

The drama teacher recommendations

David Bruggeman:  A traditional Nativity play based closely following scripture

 Tear Fund traditional nativityplays:   2 versions

the first where the children learn and speak lines (or read them out), the second where the narrator describes the action for the children to follow.

CPH – Silent Night Holy Night

videos

Christmas story told by children

What if social media existed when Jesus was born

Lutheran suppliers of quality resources for Advent and Christmas

Augsburg Fortress

CPH

Solapublishing