ADVENT

Advent is a season of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts…

The church calendar begins four Sundays before Christmas with the season of Advent—from the Latin word adventus, which means “arrival.”

As we begin a new church year, we return again to the start of the story with a season of expectant waiting and preparation for Christmas Day, when we celebrate Jesus’ first arrival and look forward to his return.

During this season, Christians engage in various practices and traditions that draw our attention to the reality that Jesus the Messiah has arrived, and that he will return again to be with his people forever.

While our church does not require anyone to observe Advent (Col. 2:16), we have assembled a few resources below to help those in our church family who desire to participate in this season of the church year.

Additionally, our pastors would be happy to talk with you about Advent and help you process through how you might take part.

Many Christians set aside Advent as a season of waiting, peace, rest, generosity, and hospitality…

Some practices you might consider this Advent are:

  • Participate in our Sunday worship gathering each week.

  • Use the reading plan in the New City Advent Guide to structure your daily Scripture reading leading up to Christmas.

  • Set aside time for longer or more frequent periods of intentional prayer.

  • Spend time singing or listening to gospel-focused Christmas hymns.

  • Do daily readings from an Advent devotional (we’ll have one available free at the resource table on Sundays).

  • Keep an Advent journal.

  • Set out an Advent wreath and candles and/or a Nativity Scene.

  • Pursue generosity with your time, money, and resources for the good of others.

  • Set aside intentional time each week for quiet and rest.

Important Dates for 2024-2025

  • First Sunday of Advent: December 1

  • Second Sunday of Advent: December 8

  • Third Sunday of Advent: December 15

  • Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 22

  • Christmas Eve: December 24

  • Christmas Day: December 25

  • Christmastide: December 25-January 6

Further Resources