Top Ways To Prepare Your Church & Community For Advent

Preparing for Advent in a church involves a mix of liturgical, spiritual, educational, and community-based activities. The primary goal is to ready the congregation for the birth of Jesus Christ, fostering a period of reflection, anticipation, and celebration. Here are steps and suggestions for your church to prepare for Advent:

1. Liturgical Preparations:

• Advent Wreath: Ensure you have an Advent wreath with four candles (three purple/blue and one pink). Some churches also incorporate a fifth, white "Christ Candle" to light on Christmas.
• Liturgical Colors: Change the church vestments and decorations to align with Advent colors (primarily purple, with rose for the third Sunday).
• Music Selection: Incorporate Advent hymns and songs into the worship services.

2. Spiritual Preparations:

• Advent Devotionals: Provide daily or weekly Advent devotionals to guide the congregation in reflection and prayer.
• Prayer Services: Organize special prayer meetings or services focused on the themes of Advent.
• Confession: Encourage parishioners to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation during Advent.

3. Educational Preparations:

• Advent Study Groups: Organize study groups focusing on the meaning and significance of Advent.
• Children's Activities: Offer age-appropriate lessons and craft sessions for children. This could include making Advent calendars or nativity scenes.
• Guest Speakers: Invite theologians, biblical scholars, or spiritual leaders to deliver talks on Advent's significance.

4. Community and Outreach:

1. Charity Drives: Advent is an excellent time for charity. Organize collections for food, clothing, or gifts to distribute to those in need.
2. Advent Calendar of Good Deeds: Encourage the congregation to perform a good deed every day during Advent.
3. Community Events: Host events like potlucks, carol singing, or tree lighting ceremonies to bring the community together.

5. Communication:

1. Bulletin Notices: Update the church bulletin with Advent-related activities, readings, and reflections.
2. Online Presence: Use your church website, social media, or email newsletters to keep the congregation informed about Advent events.

6. Physical Preparations:

1. Decorate the Church: While Advent is not as decorative as Christmas, consider using purple drapes, banners, and other simple decorations.
2. Nativity Scene: Set up a nativity scene, but consider adding figures like the Holy Family, shepherds, and magi progressively as Advent unfolds.

7. Personal Growth and Reflection:

1. Retreats: Organize or promote Advent retreats for deeper reflection.
2. Fasting and Sacrifice: While not as strict as Lent, some people choose to fast or give up certain luxuries during Advent as a form of spiritual preparation.

8. Celebrate Advent Traditions from Around the World:

1. Introduce your congregation to various Advent traditions from different cultures. For instance, you could share about the "Posadas" from Mexico or the "St. Lucia Day" from Sweden.

9. Plan Ahead for Christmas:

1. While preparing for Advent, it's also the time to plan Christmas services, pageants, Candlelight and other events so that there's a seamless transition from Advent to the Christmas celebration.

Lastly, always encourage personal reflection and preparation among the congregation. The season of Advent isn't just about external preparations but also about an inward journey of waiting and hoping for the coming of Christ.