The season of Advent is a time of waiting and expectation, an opportunity to prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ into our lives, our homes, our neighborhoods, our communities, and our world.

This Congregational Edition of Advent@Home helps churches resource families through an intergenerational event and an Advent devotional and wreath, inviting households to experience Advent through the lens of our neighborhoods.

Using simple materials and an all-ages devotional, congregations can equip households to engage with our faith and our neighbors during Advent through scripture, prayer, play, and acts of service. We consider “Who are our neighbors?” and “How do we live together into God’s love and the promise of Christ coming into our lives?”

This re-useable resource can be brought out year after year as a family/household ritual. The devotional prompts provide endless Do/Pray/Play/Serve possibilities.

The Congregational Edition includes:

Advent Wreath Materials (physical kit version only)
The physical kit version of the Congregational edition includes supplies to create one wooden block Advent wreath, providing a centerpiece and focal point for the season. Use this as an example for creating Advent wreaths for each household (or purchase a Family Edition Advent@Home resource kit for each household, available here: Advent@Home – Family Edition). If making your own wreaths for households, consult the Congregational Advent Guide for materials and supply links, as well as alternatives.

Advent@Home Devotional
The Advent@Home devotional is themed for each week of Advent. Each week includes a Sunday devotional and four additional actions (Serve, Pray, Play, Do) that correspond with the theme of the week. These four actions invite households to be immersed in Advent anticipation and reflection. Once an action is completed each week, a door or window sticker is added to the side of that week’s candle cube—transforming the candle into a home. By Christmas Eve/Day, the Advent wreath will reflect a neighborhood that has prepared to welcome Christ’s arrival.

Congregational Edition Advent Guide
This Advent@Home Congregational Guide includes supply links, ideas for how to adapt the resource and print the devotionals, as well as suggestions for using the resource in the life of the church.

Intergenerational Event Planning Guide
The Intergenerational Event Planning Guide includes specific ideas for hosting your own church event that focuses on the themes of neighborhood and hospitality that are at the heart of the Advent@Home resource. At this intergenerational event, all ages are invited to gather to prepare their Advent@Home resource for use at home while entering the Advent season as a community.