Advent brings many things to the fore—

• Remembering Christ’s miraculous birth

• Expectation for Christ’s second coming

• Anticipation of Christmas celebrations and parties

The lead up to Christmas includes office Christmas parties, shopping, mall Santas, tree decorating, and more. As disciples of Jesus—the reason for the season—we can embrace the interplay of cultural and Christian in ways that give God an opportunity to form our hearts and lives.

This resource page is meant to give individuals, groups, and families ways to know the wonder of Jesus’s coming and provide an offset for the continued lure of consumerism. May your heart and mind find joy and hope as we walk this season together!

Tools for engaging the gifts of the Advent season

Calvary’s 2024 Advent Devotion for individuals and families

Join with the whole Calvary family using this shared devotional focusing the days of Advent through the eyes of worship. This devotion is about renewal, trial, revelation, and ultimately wonder at the great gift that we have at Christmas: Christ’s incarnation on Earth.

You can

• Dowload a PDF copy here

• Drop by the office for a bound copy

The devotion begins on December 1, the first day of Advent, proving 5 daily devotions and a summary reflection for each week leading to Christmas.

Advent Devotion Groups

Join in reflection on the Advent devotion with others you know following each worship service. They are being held and you are invited at any of these times (grab some coffee of bring a sack meal!)

• Saturdays 12/2, 9, and 17, 6pm, Parish Hall couches

• Sundays 12/3, 10, and 18,

  • 8am, 9:45am, 12:15am Parish Hall tables

  • 10:45am Community Rooms 1 and 2

These facilitated conversations are for connection and spiritual reflection. Bring your copy of The Eternal King Arrives (see above for PDF copy).

Christingle Making

Light the Way: Advent Dinner and Candlelit Stroll

• Join us Friday, December 6th at 5 pm in the Community rooms. We’ll enjoy a casual dinner together, play games, and reflect on Jesus, the light of the world. Please RSVP here so we can plan for food or RSVP via email to Becky. Bring only yourself and a friend or family member!

• At 6:30 p.m., those who are able and interested are invited to join the wider Golden community at 15th and Washington for the Golden Candlelight Walk. Calvary will provide candles.

Advent Lessons and Carols

• December 8, 5pm, Historic Chapel

• This service of quiet reflection, scripture, spoken word, and music helps Christians prepare their hearts, minds, and souls for the fulfillment of prophecy—the coming of the Christ Child. Please join us for this Calvary tradition.

Activities and Resources for Families and Youth

• Pick up your copy at Calvary beginning Sunday, November 24th! Slow down. Quiet. It’s Advent! 2024 Advent calendar poster, with Illustrations by Jay Sidebotham, suggests ways to mark the days through the Advent season. The calendar offers ideas for prayer, helping others, and being thoughtful about the true meaning of Christmas. Take their advice to your hearts and to your walls: Slow down. Quiet. It’s Advent!

• Make an Advent Wreath for your home. View a 2 minute tutorial video here.

• Building Faith has compiled an extensive list of Advent calendars for 2024, some traditional, some new, including AdventWord, Praying in Color, a scripture calendar, a Way of Love calendar, a BIPOC calendar, and more.

• Visit the Faith Formation Episcopal Colorado Pinterest page for Jesse tree ornaments, Advent calendars, coloring pages, crafts, and activities to engage children during this time of getting ready.

• Explore Episcopal Relief and Development’s Advent Toolkit. The toolkit includes DIY wreath ideas with prayers and reflections, DIY creche ideas, and information about St. Nicholas. You also will find a guide to hosting an alternative gift market and ERD’s annual Gifts for Life Catalog

• d365 provides daily devotions for youth, available by email subscription or downloadable app. Each devotion follows the pattern Pause, Listen, Think, Pray, Go. Read more >

• Bible Project Guides: What is Advent and How is it celebrated? Find out more here.