The season of Advent is a time of longing, contemplating, and anticipating. It is a season that leads us to reflect on the comings of Jesus, as we yearn for all things to be made right.
In God’s goodness, God came to make God’s self known as the one who brings light into the heavy and chaotic darkness of this world. The Light, breaking into our darkness to be born in us, is revealed as Jesus, the true light, who came, who comes, and who will come again.
The Word became human, and moved into our neighbourhood …generous inside and out,
true from start to finish. John 1:14
You can find details about all of our Advent programming
in our Advent Happenings guide, available HERE.
For more specific information and downloads, please use the following links:
Below, you’ll find a couple of options for devotionals to take you and your family/friends/neighbours through the Advent season. There are two options for adults and youth, and one option written for children. We hope you find them encouraging, challenging, and maybe even a little bit inspiring as you prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus. (Click on the image or title to download.)
Bless the Advent We Actually Have
by Kate Bowler & The Everything Happens Project
Join us this Advent as we celebrate the great inversion—God coming to Earth in the form of a human baby. Seeing the world as it really is. Practicing hope for the coming King. Celebrating generosity and love any chance we get.
Inside , you’ll find daily entries with short reflections, scripture to mull over, blessings to pray, and discussion questions to ask around the dinner table. Use this guide on your own, with your family, or grab a few friends or small group to join you.
Our hope and prayer is that this Advent Devotional will be a way for you to make the very act of waiting, holy. And as we anticipate Christ’s birth together, may we experience the stubborn hope of Christmas, joy in the midst of so much sorrow, a love that knows no bounds, and a transcendent peace amid a world on fire and let’s bless the Advent we actually have—together.
Advent! Prayers & Activities for Kids & Families
This resource is designed to let families explore Advent in meaningful ways that make sense to their schedules.
Each day, kids will find a suggested scripture and activity to help them prepare their hearts and lives to welcome and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Additional games, activities, and prayer prompts can be found throughout the booklet.
Waiting in Joyful Hope 2022 by Mary DeTurris Poust
Prepare for the coming of Christ with this popular and inviting annual guide. During the especially busy Advent and Christmas seasons, this book offers brief, down-to-earth reflections that bring prayer and Scripture into everyday life in a thought-provoking and lasting way.
Through Mary DeTurris Poust’s reflections on lectionary readings from the weekday and Sunday Masses, readers will grow in their understanding of the word of God. This book will help busy people achieve their goal of enriching their prayer life during the seasons of Advent and Christmas.
Please note that this devotional is only available in print form at the church.
December 3rd – The First Sunday of Advent
Join us as we gather to learn more about the hope we have in Jesus and make Advent Wreaths together.
December 10th – The Second Sunday of Advent
The Worship Collective will lead us through music and readings to help us fully worship as we anticipate the coming of our Saviour. Part of the service will include a special offering to help subsidize Christmas Hampers for those in our community.
December 17th – The Third Sunday of Advent
Our Emmanuel kids will be presenting the Christmas story through music and drama. You won’t want to miss this! Following the service, please join us for Soup & Sandwiches. And then, there will be our Christmas Creation event where kids and caregivers can create memories while making Christmas crafts together.
December 24th – The Fourth Sunday of Advent and…Christmas Eve
No service in the morning, but please join us for one of our Christmas Eve services – 7:30pm and 10:30pm in the glow of lanterns and candlelight. All ages are welcome to celebrate with us!
*Please note that all of the services through Advent are designed for kids to participate in the main gathering. The Fireside overflow will be set up with toys and crafts for the younger kids to have a bit more room to wriggle and run. We’re glad to have all the ages of Emmanuel together through the season.
Each year we work to provide Christmas Hampers for people who could use some financial and food support headed into the holidays. The requests for support have increased sharply across the city this year and we’d like to do what we can to provide support to our community in this way.
If you would like to contribute financially to our Christmas Hampers, please designate your donation for “Christmas Hampers”. You can find out more about our giving options here.
If finding extra cash is difficult for you right now, you can also consider designating your recycling refund through Sarcan to the church for the Christmas Hamper Program. Using the Drop&Go service select “Emmanuel” as the group phrase for your donation to send your refund directly to the church.
This Christmas Eve we’ll celebrate two all-ages candlelight services; one at 7:30pm and the other at 10:30pm.
The offering this year will be focused on our Care Fund work with local school partners, providing support for the Wildwood School snack program as well as school supply subsidies in the broader community.