Introduction
What Is Advent?
Advent Themes
Advent Wreath and Candle Lighting
Order of Worship: Christmas Eve Service
Order of Worship: God with Us (A Christmas Service)
Bibliography of Advent and Christmas Resources

Secular preparations for Christmas seem to begin earlier each year. In the United States at least, Christmas decorations start appearing in stores before Halloween. Yet despite this early start, Christmas is here and gone before we know it. Sometimes Christmas passes, and we don’t see much difference. The pace of life may increase, but we still work and go about our everyday activities. It may be that the key to Christmas making a difference in our lives is for the Advent season to be different. The more we get out of our regular routine, the more different Advent and Christmas are, the better our celebration is, and the better the rest of the year becomes.

This feeling highlights the need for Advent. We need a time of preparation for the spiritual and religious meaning of Christmas. Advent provides that time. The four Sundays before Christmas are dedicated to preparation and anticipation of the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Considering various themes (hope, peace, love, and joy), we prepare ourselves spiritually for Christmas.

Advent is a tradition with much history and symbolism. While the few minutes available in a typical Sunday morning worship for Advent activities are hardly enough to plumb the depths of meaning, they do provide enough time to introduce the congregation to the richness of meaning in Advent and to whet their appetite for a more in-depth experience of the Advent season. It is an opportunity that should be approached intentionally and with careful planning. While Advent observances do not have to be complicated, they should not be so brief and quickly prepared that they fail to stir the heart. Planners responsible for this element of the worship would do well to read an Advent book such as Marilyn Brown-Oden’s Manger and Mystery (see Bibliography of Advent Resources) to be reminded of the potential of the season for the congregation.

Advent is a time of preparation—four Sundays of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. It coincides with the weeks of activities like buying and wrapping gifts, preparing cards, baking and decorating cookies (eating the rejects), putting up a tree, hearing and singing carols, and going to open houses.

It is a time of hopeful anticipation. But the presents under the Christmas tree are only the beginning. Anticipation at this level is a secular manifestation of the anticipation of the coming of Jesus, of his birth, and of his continually coming into our lives. It is this anticipation that we celebrate when we light the Advent candles in worship.

Four themes (hope, peace, love, and joy) help us focus on the qualities of life with Jesus. They remind us that the life of the disciple is different from what it would be otherwise. This difference has, at the same time, both present and future aspects. Paradoxically, we both recognize that difference and long for it.

The coming of a new baby is a time of anticipation, hope, and joy. There is a joyful sense: “The baby is coming!” Advent is the same for Christians throughout the world. It is as if the birth of the Christ child is still a future event. It is still looked forward to.

Similarly, Advent holds the joyful sense that the adult Christ is still coming. The One who came 2,000 years ago is still coming. He is always coming into our hearts and into our communities. Hence the Advent prayer: May we be ready. May we prepare the way for him to enter our hearts and our world.

The World Church themes for Advent 2007 follow. The Advent theme is indicated parenthetically. These themes are compatible and can be used simultaneously without fear of disjunction.

December 2 Seek Peace! (Peace)
December 9 Bring Hope! (Hope)
December 16 Leap with Joy! (Joy)
December 23 God Is With Us! (Love)

Worship outlines and service suggestions for these dates are included elsewhere in this book (see Section IV). The suggestions in this section are provided as a supplement. As with all worship suggestions, they should be adapted and modified to meet the needs and traditions of the specific congregation.

The Advent wreath can provide a meaningful worship center for the season. An evergreen wreath with four upright and equidistant candles represents everlasting life (the wreath circle), divine illumination, and the coming of the Messiah (the candles). A candle is lit each Sunday of the Advent season, with the progressive lighting reminding us that the Light of the World will soon arrive. A fifth candle is added to the center of the wreath and is lit to signify the birth of Jesus during the service closest to Christmas Day. There is no universal tradition for the color and names of the four candles in the wreath. Three purple or blue candles can be used to symbolize the expectant hope of Advent and a rose candle to represent rejoicing that Christ is coming soon. A white candle is often used for the Christ candle in the center.

Be intentional about the Advent wreath. Too often the significance of the Advent candle lighting is lost because a wreath or group of candles is hastily arranged. Christian bookstores have attractive wreaths for purchase, or one can be created by an artistic member of the congregation.

The following narratives are provided as readings to accompany the lighting of the Advent candles. After the first Sunday, the candles from previous Sundays should be lit prior to the beginning of the service.

These Advent readings include both an Advent wreath and a nativity as the worship center for the season. The Advent wreath is discussed in detail above. Suggestions for the progressive building of the nativity are below. The purpose of creating a new part of the nativity each week is to help people understand and look forward with anticipation to the coming of the Messiah on Christmas Sunday. Each Advent section includes suggestions for adding nativity pieces.

Your congregation may have already purchased a traditional nativity. You could create your own nativity, from natural surroundings. Examples include:

• A simple setting may be created by your congregation, perhaps by the children in their Sunday School classes. This will be special and unique for your congregation and a way to include children in the life and worship of the congregation.
• Place a large rock in the worship area with plants surrounding it and use a tarp or cloth cover to create a crude stable.
• Use a live nativity.
• Begin the Advent season with a large blank canvas. Each week, an artist adds the next character or symbol to the canvas. This might be done during worship services so all can view the process of creating. Children can be given their own canvas (piece of paper) to create their own nativity along with the resident artist.

  First Sunday of Advent – Peace

  If you are building a nativity, today you will create the place — a stable and a manger — during the singing of the hymn.

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 11:6

Responsive Reading

Leader: Our world has countries at war.

Congregation: Today we gather in peace.

Leader: Our communities suffer prejudice, poverty and strife. Even in our congregations and families we sometimes hurt one another.

Congregation: Today we gather in peace.

Leader: May we celebrate peace this Advent Sunday as part of our spiritual preparation for the birth of Jesus.

All: Together we light the candle of peace.

Light the candle of peace.

Leader: Each week we will build our nativity, symbolic of the humble yet profound story of the birth of Jesus. May the gentle nature of the Holy Spirit fill our lives with peace in our families, our congregation, and our communities this Advent season.

Hymn: “Center of Peace” SP 1
OR “Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather” SP 29

Prayer of Peace

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:4-6

Responsive Reading

Leader: Oh God of the unexpected, you have shown us in so many ways what you are like in a world of infinite variety; in a universe with an extraordinary balance of order and chaos; in the way all creatures are different and alike; in the unfolding of your story from Genesis to Revelation; in the willingness to send your only Son to fulfill a promise.

Congregation: Today we gather with hope.

Leader: You have shown us in so many ways what you are like and though we can never quite know you, help us to know you well enough to always expect the impossible, the radical, the surprising, and the unexpected.

Congregation: Today we gather with hope.

Leader: This second Sunday of Advent we celebrate hope: hopeful anticipation of the coming of Christ.

Congregation: Together we light the candle of hope.

—Adapted from Singing in the Spirit, Mary Kay Beall page 47

Leader: A star rising in the East was seen as a sign of hope and expectation for Jesus’ birth. Today, let us add the star and the animals to our nativity, symbolic of our great hope through him.

Hymn: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” HS 211
OR “Hope of the World” HS 208

Prayer of Hope

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-11

Welcome:

Today we light the Advent candle of joy as we begin our service of praise and celebration anticipating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Reader 1: People of God, shout to the Lord!

Congregation: Alleluia!

Reader 2: Shout praise to his name!

Congregation: Alleluia!

Reader 3: Shout for joy to the Prince of Peace!

Congregation: Alleluia!

Reader 4: Shout for joy to the Messenger of Hope!

Congregation: Alleluia!

Reader 5: Shout for joy to God for the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ!

Congregation: Alleluia!

Reader 6: Shout hosanna, glory to God in the highest!

Congregation: Hosanna, glory to God in the highest!

Light the candle of joy.

Leader: An angel of the Lord brought good news of great joy for all. The shepherds came to witness this great joy! All who heard were amazed. Today we add the angels and the shepherds to our nativity, symbolic of the joy we feel as we anticipate the coming birth of Jesus.

Hymn: “Now Sing to Our God” NS 40
OR “Sing Songs of Joy” HS 241

Prayer of Joy

Advent Reading

Leader: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

Congregation: Today we gather in love.

Leader: God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Congregation: Today we gather in love.

Leader: Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world.

—Adapted from 1 John 4:7, 9–11, 13–14

Congregation: Together we light the candle of love.

Light the candle of love.

Leader: Joseph and Mary are added to our Nativity. Joseph and Mary’s commitment of faith and sacrifice serve as an example of their love for God and community. This same love, God’s love, calls all of us into community and into faithful acts of service.

Hymn: “Joseph, Kind Joseph” HS 234
OR “There’s a Spirit in the Air” HS 214

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6-7

Responsive Reading

Leader: I am the Lord, I have called you
                in righteousness,
            I have taken you by the hand
                and kept you;
            I have given you as a covenant to
                the people,
            a light to the nations.
                                                                —Isaiah 42:6

Congregation: We are redeemed through Jesus, whose birth brings us peace, hope, joy and love.

Leader: Light the Christ candle and place the baby Jesus in the nativity while saying,

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” —John 8:12

All: We are redeemed through Jesus, whose birth brings us peace, hope, joy and love.

Hymn: “Joy to the World” HS 258
OR “Angels from the Realms of glory” HS 231

Christmas Eve Service

The following worship service is constructed in two parts: a contemplative and reflective worship experience, followed by a festive celebration. This service can easily be adapted for family or small group worship.

A simple worship setting is recommended: one candle in the front with a twig of an evergreen or some other tree at its base. Four other candles may be placed in various locations throughout the room. Sitting in a circle is recommended.

Prelude
OR Meditation Music Suggested: Earth Spirit or Canyon Trilogy by Carlos Nakai Native American Flutist

O God of silence and sound,
help us to seek out the silent spaces in our lives
where You can meet us.

On this Christmas Eve
we are holding our breath
unable to speak
listening with our hearts
anxious for the first sign of Your coming
anxious for a sound of a baby’s cry.

Hear our silent prayers of welcome!

Scripture Reading: John 3:16

Leader: It is told that in a humble stable in Bethlehem a Savior was born. Tonight, we celebrate the eve of that event. As we share in worship may we be mindful of the love we have for each other, and for the gift of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Using the Christ candle, (the one in the front) light a candle representing love.

We Pray for Love

If it is appropriate in your culture, have the group hold hands during this prayer. Choose someone to pray out loud while everyone else prays in silence.

Prayer:

Creator God, we give thanks for your presence in this place.

Moment of silent reflection

Thank you for demonstrating your eternal love for us by sending your Son into the world to show us the way.

Moment of silent reflection

God, each person sitting here is one of your creation. May we be mindful that you love them with an unconditional, eternal, and sacrificial love. For them, we give you thanks.

Moment of silent reflection

May the spirit of love be evident to those with whom we come in contact each day.

Moment of silent reflection

Amen.

Hymn: “Yesu, Yesu, Fill Us with Your Love” HS 407
OR “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” HS 220

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 9:6

Leader: It was prophesied throughout the Old Testament that one day God’s Son, the Prince of Peace, would be sent to earth to live among us to show us the way to build a peaceable kingdom. Over 2,000 years ago we received the promised gift. As a community of Christ may we continue our worship in a spirit of healing and reconciliation.

Using the Christ candle, light a candle representing peace.

Prayer:

God, we know that at this moment there are violent and painful things going on in many places in our world. May we pause for a moment and offer a special prayer of peace for those who are suffering.

Moment of silent reflection

We thank you for sending us the Prince of Peace. May we live with the assurance that his peace is real and that we have nothing to fear.

Moment of silent reflection

May we reflect your peace in our lives.

Moment of silent reflection

Amen.

Hymn: “Good News! Great Joy to All the Earth” HS 243
OR “Peace among Earth’s People” SP 26

Scripture Reading:

He shall not judge by what his
        eyes see,
    or decide by what his ears hear;
but with righteousness he shall
    judge the poor,
and decide with equity for the
    meek of the earth;
Righteousness shall be the belt
    around his waist,
and faithfulness the belt around
    his loins.
                                                                    — Isaiah 11:3-5

Leader: The book of Isaiah refers to One who will come from the “stump of Jesse,” bringing with him hope of a future of peace and justice for the people of Israel. Jesus’ birth fulfills this prophecy. Born of lowly parents in a stable, Jesus brings us the hope that no matter who we are or what our circumstances might be, we too can be light for a broken and needy world.

Using the Christ candle, light a candle representing hope.

Prayer:

God, life is difficult. We are human and sometimes we feel hopeless. Help us feel your ever-present spirit during these times.

Moment of silent reflection

Help us begin each day with a renewed hope for a bright future.

Moment of silent reflection

Help us recognize the blessings your spirit brings to us continually.

Moment of silent reflection

For your gift of hope, we give thanks.

Moment of silent reflection

Amen.

Hymn: “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” HS 255
OR “We Would See Jesus” HS 218

We Give With Joy:
Blessing and Offering of Mission Tithes

For the reading, ask the congregation to kneel. Have them face the nativity if there is one present.

Reading: “What Do I want For Christmas?”

Kneeling in Bethlehem, Ann Weems (Westminster/John Knox, 1992), 34. ISBN: 0-664-21972-1

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-14

Using the Christ candle, light a candle representing joy.

Congregational Story “The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey” by Susan Wojciechowski (Candlewick, 2004)
OR
Tell the stories “The Birth of Jesus” and “The Shepherds’ Visit” from The Children’s Illustrated Bible, retold by Selina Hastings, illustrated by Eric Thomas and Amy Burch (New York: Dorling Kindersley Publishing 1994) 190-193.

*We Pray for Joy

Prior to this prayer ask the congregation to stand and turn to HS 232. It will be sung as part of the closing prayer.

Creator of all that is good, we have worshiped and we have been blessed by your presence this evening.

Moment of silent reflection

*God, we stand in awe of the miracle you present to us tomorrow.

Moment of silent reflection

*Hymn: “Away in the Manger” HS 232

*We continue our prayer with joy in our hearts. Let us live out the promise of Jesus to be more compassionate, more giving, more committed, more spiritual, and more loving. We pray this for our personal journey, for our families and for our communities. May we be blessed with the assurance that your Holy Spirit is with us always. We pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ, Amen.

Options for the festive celebration:

God with Us

A Christmas Service

Prelude

Everyone who enters the worship area today is greeted by someone with the phrase “Christmas Gif [gift]”(this custom will be explained to the congregation later in the service). They are also given a small piece of paper and a piece of yarn, string, or ribbon. (Christmas Gif’ by Charlemae Rollins)

Welcome: “Christmas Gif’”

“Christmas Gif’” (this can be read or paraphrased) The greeting you were given as we gathered this morning was a tradition passed down from generation to generation among one of the poorest and most oppressed groups of Christians in the United States, the African slaves. They developed this “Christmas Gif [gift]” tradition to share with each other the joy of Christmas. The first person to greet another on Christmas morning with the phrase “Christmas Gift” is the spark that set ablaze the spirit of Christmas. It sets the tone for the day’s festivities. Families exchange smiles, laughs, greetings and goodwill, letting everyone know that the spirit of Jesus Christ is alive and well and that the Christmas festivities are about to begin. Today the tradition continues around the world, using the telephone and e-mail for family and friends out of reach but not out of touch. This year on Christmas morning, how about sharing the blessing of Christmas by making “Christmas Gift” part of your celebration? (Christmas Gif’ and personal experience.)

Hymn: “Go, Tell It on the Mountain” HS 249
OR “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” HS 260

Antiphonal Call to Worship:

Use children as much as possible for these reading/singing parts. They are to stand in four directions of the room (North, South, East and West) representing all regions of the world.

Solo: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” a capella (verse only) HS 211

East Reader: “For a child has been born for us, the people of Oceania and the islands of the sea.”

South Reader: “And for us, the people of Asia and South America.”

West Reader: “And for us, the people of Europe.”

North Reader: “And for us, the people of Africa and North America.”

Solo: “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (refrain only) HS 211

East Reader: “He will be known as Wonderful Counselor!”

South Reader: “ Prince of Peace.”

West Reader: “Everlasting Father,”

North Reader: “Mighty God!”

All Readers: “Glory to God in the highest!”

—adapted from HS 211, Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 2:14

*Hymn of Praise: “O Come, All Ye Faithful” HS 238
OR “Sound over All Waters” HS 261

*Invocation

*Response

LIGHTING the CANDLE of LOVE

If you are participating in the weekly building of the nativity, you need to have Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus ready to be placed at the appropriate time.

Light the candles of peace, hope, and joy.

Responsive Reading:

Leader: Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

People: Today we gather in love.

Leader: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. We have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. —1 John 4:7-14, adapted

People: Together we light the candle of love.

Light the candle of love

Leader: Joseph and Mary are added to our nativity. Joseph and Mary’s commitment of faith and sacrifice serve as an example of their love for God and community. This same love, God’s love, calls all of us into community and into faithful acts of service.

Hymn: “Joseph, Kind Joseph” HS 234
OR “I Wonder as I Wander” HS 251

Three options are available for this portion of the Christmas service to meet a variety of worship needs:
Option 1: Christmas Message (see sermon helps for scripture references)
Option 2: Story “The Give-Away” by Ray Buckley followed by the scriptures and carols below.
Option 3: Two or more testimonies incorporated within the following scriptures and carols.

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Hymn: “Silent Night, Holy Night” HS 244
OR “O Thou Joyful, O Thou Wonderful” HS 235

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-8

Hymn: “As With Gladness Men of Old” HS 254
OR “Silvery Star, Precious Star” HS 239

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Hymn: “Angels We Have Heard on High” HS 237
OR “Angels from the Realms of Glory” HS 231

Disciples Generous Response “Christmas Blessings”

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.” This offering experience includes an opportunity for us to thoughtfully and prayerfully record how we might give a portion of ourselves for the benefit of others.

Praying has always been a powerful way to give of oneself on behalf of another. Choose someone to pray for and take a moment to consider that person in prayer. (pause)

In many places throughout the world a prayer (or wish) written down and left in a sacred place has special significance. As you entered the worship area, you were handed a piece of paper and string. Use this “Christmas Gif” piece of paper to record your prayer. Draw a picture if you prefer that to writing.

The prayers and offerings can be collected or people can bring them forward and placed in a designated place: tying to a Christmas tree, laying them in a designated basket, placing them around the nativity, or another appropriate place.

Responsive Reading:

Leader: I am the Lord, I have called you
    in righteousness,
I have taken you by the hand
    and kept you;
I have given you as a covenant to
    the people,
a light to the nations.
                                                    —Isaiah 42:6

People: We are redeemed through Jesus, whose birth brings us peace, hope, joy and love.

Leader: light Christ candle and place the baby Jesus in the nativity while saying Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
                                                                                                                                                        —John 8:12

All: We are redeemed through Jesus, whose birth brings us peace, hope, love and joy.

*Hymn of Sending Forth: “Joy to the World” HS 258
OR “You Shall Go Out With Joy” SP 45

*Statement of Sending Forth

"The Child is Born Again” from “Kneeling in Bethlehem,” Ann Weems (Westminster/John Knox), 26,  ISBN 0-664-21972-1.

Advent and Lent Activities for Children: Camels, Carols, Crosses, and Crowns. Shiela Kielly and Sheila Geraghty. Mystic, Connecticut: Twenty-Third Publications, 1996. ISBN 0-89622-676-X

Advent Arts and Christmas Crafts: Prayers and Rituals for Family, School, and Church. Jeanne Heiberg. Mahwah, New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1995. ISBN 0-8091-3586-8

The Candymaker’s Gift: The Inspirational Legend of the Candy Cane. Helen Haidle and David Haidle. Tulsa: Honor Books, 1997. ISBN 1-56292-150-9

Christ Is Coming: Celebrating Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Theresa Cotter. Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 1992. ISBN 0-86716-157-4

The Christmas Almanac. Gerard & Patricia Del Re. Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc. 1979. ISBN 0-385-13353-7

The Christmas Cross. Max Lucado. Nashville: W Publishing Group, 1998. ISBN 0-8499-1546-5

The Christmas Drum. Maureen Brett Hooper. Honesdale, Pennsylvania: Boyds Mills Press, 1995. ISBN 1-5639-7105-4

Christmas Gif’. Charlamae Rollins. Chicago, Illinois: Follett Publishing Company, 1963. ISBN 0688116671

Christmas Hearts: Images of Immanuel through the Eyes of Those Who Saw Him First. Tim Roehl. Uhrichsville, Ohio: Barbour Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1-57748-377-4

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey. Susan Wojciechowski. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2002. ISBN 0-7636-1930-2

Christmas Traditions: Making Your Family Celebrations Memorable. Stan Toler, editor. Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1998. ISBN 0-8341-1716-9

The Christmas We Moved to the Barn. Cooper Edens and Alexandra Day. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Book Group, 1997. ISBN 0-0620-5149-0

Cloth for the Cradle: Worship Resources and Readings for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany. Iona Community, Wild Goose Worship Group. Chicago: GIA Publications, Inc., 2000. ISBN 1-57999-062-2

Everlasting Light: A Resource for Advent Worship. Sandy Dixon. St. Louis, Missouri: Chalice Press, 2000. ISBN 0-8272-0816-2

Family Countdown to Christmas: A Day-by-Day Celebration. Debbie Trafton-O’Neal. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2004. ISBN 0-8066-3733-1

The Give-Away: A Christmas Story in the Native American Tradition. Ray Buckley. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2004. ISBN 0-6870-7186-0

Guided Meditations for Advent, Christmas, New Year, and Epiphany. Jane E. Ayer. Winona, Minnesota: St. Mary’s Press, 1997. ISBN 0-88489-517-3

Kneeling in Bethlehem. Ann Weems. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1987. ISBN 0-664-21323-5

Manger and Mystery: An Advent Adventure. Marilyn Brown-Oden. Nashville: Upper Room, 1999. ISBN 0-8358-0861-0

Mary’s First Christmas. Walter Wangerin Jr. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1998. ISBN 0-310-22216-8

Mary’s Treasure Box. Carolyn Walz Kramlich. Nashville: Tommy Nelson, 1998. ISBN 0-8499-5834-2

The Missing Peace. James C. Juhnke and Carol M. Hunter. Kitchener, Ontario: Pandora Press, 2001. ISBN 1-894710-13-4

Moments for Christmas. Robert Strand. Green Forest, Arkansas: New Leaf Press, 2000. ISBN 0-89221-265-9

Santa’s Favorite Story. Hisako Aoki. New York: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-689-81723-1

Singing in the Spirit. Mary Kay Bealle. Carol Stream, Illinois: Hope Publishing Company, 1998. ISBN 0-916642-65-8

Teach Us to Number Our Days: A Liturgical Advent Calendar. Barbara Dee Baumgarten. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Morehouse Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-8192-1765-4

Worship Innovations: Hanging the Greens for Christmas. Janet Burton. Lima, Ohio: CSS Publishing Company, 2000. ISBN 0-7880-1759-4

Internet Resources
 

www.homiliesbyemail.com (posted according to season)
www.worship.ca (click on Christmas under Additional Resources)
www.poemsforfree.com/xmaspo.html
www.holidays.net/christmas
www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas
www.cvc.org/christmas
www.christmasincyberspace.com
www.christmas-carols.net
www.wilstar.com/xmas
www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas