In this section you’ll find resources to encourage discipleship during Advent.
- Downloadable Advent calendars to help you put your faith into action
- Four-part Advent courses that can be used individually or in groups
- Small group session plans that can be used as a series or as standalone sessions
- Prayers for Christingle services
- Further ideas and resources
A 4-part journey through Advent designed to be used in small groups or individually – helping us to shine as Lights for Christ.
A 4-part Advent course helping us to reflect on our calling to be Lights for Christ, at the darkest time of the year.
Resources and ideas to help you shine more brightly this Advent
Small Group Session Plans
These three small group session plans use the ‘4 Ws’ as a simple framework – Welcome, Worship, Word and Wonder/Witness. The plans can be used for a standalone session or as a series. Find out more about running a small group and using the 4Ws
Ideas and Resources from National Church:
This year’s Advent and Christmas theme The Gift of Christmas focuses on the first and greatest Christmas gift of all: the gift of God being born as one of us in Jesus Christ.
The Gift of Christmas invites us to join with our communities this Advent and Christmas:
- to celebrate the great gift God offers to each one of us in the birth of Jesus
- to receive that gift – and all God gives to us – with gratitude and joy, and
- to respond to God’s generosity by serving others, especially those in need.
More information and resources can be found here: https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/digital-labs/blogs/lets-unwrap-advent-and-christmas-resources-2026
Further ideas and resources:
- Advent Prayers – see the document above for a collection of prayers for Advent, some of which could work well for children, families and schools.
- Advent Messages/Reflections – each day from 1st-24th December, The Church of England will be publishing Advent reflections on their Facebook page. You can access the Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/thechurchofengland .
- Prayer Paper Chain – see instructions to make a prayer paper chain here: https://site.penningtonchurch.uk/prayer-ideas-paper-chains/ .
- Praying during Advent – 24/7 Prayer has put together a page of ideas of different ways to pray throughout Advent. You’ll find information about prayer apps, prayer stations and ideas for praying with children and young people.
Resources and ideas to help us look after God’s Creation during Advent and Christmas.