Resources for Advent 2023

It’s hard to believe that the beginning of Advent is less than three weeks away! On Sunday 3 December we will turn from Ordinary Time to this precious season of preparation and anticipation which readies us for the good news of Jesus’ arrival into our world.

There are always endless resources to draw on in this season and it can be hard to know where to begin. Whether your preparation is just beginning or already well underway, we’ve gathered a range of links to resource your worship planning and help you mark this season with your community and family.

Make sure you check back here – we’ll add new links as they emerge.

Uniting Church Assembly

The Assembly will be sharing a series of reflections across the four weeks of Advent, focusing on different aspects of this season of preparation and written by four diverse voices. They will be released each Wednesday through National Update, the Assembly’s weekly newsletter. Make sure you’re subscribed, and find them each week on social media.

Engage Together Advent

This resource is to help you explore intergenerational worship over Advent. The material draws on suggested readings from the Revised Common Lectionary and the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy and love. Covering the Sundays in December, it includes:

• links to other resources
• three different options for Advent Wreath/Candle lighting litanies
• five worship service outlines (one for each week of Advent and the Sunday after Christmas)

Advent resource, Synod of Queensland

The Synod of Queensland has released its annual Advent worship resource for 2023. Developed by a collaborative team from across the Synod, the resource includes bible readings, themes and suggestions for prayers, videos, and activities to help with weekly worship preparation for the four Sundays of Advent and Christmas Day.

With Love to the World

The newest issue of Uniting Church devotional With Love to the World is now available on the App, covering the seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. With Love to the World has been offering daily Biblical reflections based on the Lectionary since 1976, and is currently produced by a committee of people from the Uniting Churches in Sydney and United Theological College. Head to the website to download the app or order hard copies.

More intergenerational resources

These resources come from the November edition of the monthly Intergenerational Ministry Update curated by Chris Barnett, Assembly Intergenerational Ministry Consultant, and Intergen Executive General Manager. Find the full post here.

• Advent & Christmas (Strandz)
• Thrive Advent Resources Round Up (CRCNA)
• All Together at Christmas (Scottish Bible Society)
• God’s Christmas Promise (Bible Society Australia)

See also the excellent suite of free Advent resources from Intergen.

Everything in Common

UnitingWorld has launched its new Everything in Common Gift Catalogue for 2023. It's filled with life-changing gifts that fight poverty and build hope in the world through health, education, leadership and income opportunities. You can also pick up your Christmas cards. This is a great way to give meaningful gifts this Christmas while making a difference. The shop is available now or you can sign up to host a gift stall in your church or community.

Common Grace

Common Grace is preparing a series of daily devotionals and prayers for Advent 2023 crafted by a diverse group across the Common Grace movement. The series focuses on the longing, hope, and beauty of God’s ‘Common Home’ being realised, revealed, and renewed through the birth of Jesus.

You can sign up on the Common Grace website to receive this series to your inbox daily from 1 December to 25 December.

Christmas Bowl Appeal

Many Uniting Churches may take part in the Act for Peace Christmas Bowl this year, a long running national ecumenical appeal which supports overseas partners and locally-led initiatives to support displaced people and refugees.

The 2023 Christmas Bowl resources are now available, offering worship resources, videos and activities for Reign of Christ Sunday and the following four weeks of Advent.

Coming soon: resources from the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network

Keep an eye out on this page for an Advent resource from the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network featuring stories from Australians who have been Ecumenical accompaniers in the Holy Land.