Advent
Advent Bulletin Guide: Themes, Readings and Design Ideas
· LanternLetter Co.
Advent is the four-week season before Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before December 25. Many churches mark it with an Advent wreath and a bulletin series that carries a consistent look from the first Sunday through Christmas Eve.
The four Sundays of Advent
Traditions vary, but a common pattern names the candles Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, with a central Christ candle lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Some churches use Prophecy, Bethlehem, Shepherds and Angels instead. Check what your congregation uses before you design.
- Week 1: Hope (often purple or blue)
- Week 2: Peace
- Week 3: Joy (often the rose or pink candle, Gaudete Sunday)
- Week 4: Love
What to include in an Advent bulletin
- The week's candle name and a short candle-lighting liturgy or reader names (see our Advent wreath reading guide)
- Lectionary readings for the Sunday, if your church follows a lectionary
- Advent hymns and the order of worship
- Dates for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, repeated every week
- Advent events: wreath making, giving trees, concerts, devotionals
Design ideas
- Pick one visual style for the whole season and change only the candle or color accent each week.
- Traditional liturgical purple or Sarum blue, watercolor, stained glass, Scandinavian minimal and vintage letterpress styles all suit Advent. You can see examples in our sample styles.
- Carry the same artwork into your social media graphics and December newsletter.
- Plan the Christmas Eve program as the finale of the series (see our Christmas Eve program guide).
A simple planning timeline
- Early November: choose a theme and style; confirm candle names and service times.
- Mid November: prepare all four Sunday templates and the Christmas Eve program shell.
- Each week: fill in readings, hymns and announcements.
Need a starting point? See our Advent templates or ask about a custom Christmas Eve program set. For everyday bulletin structure, read church bulletin ideas.
More guides
- Church Bulletin Ideas: 25 Practical Ideas for Weekly Bulletins
- Lent Bulletin Guide: Ash Wednesday to Easter
- How to Write a Church Newsletter People Actually Read
- Church Social Media Graphics: A Simple Weekly Plan
- Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Program: A Planning and Layout Guide
- Christmas Church Bulletin Ideas: Covers, Content and Planning for December
- Large-Print and Accessible Church Bulletins: A Practical Guide
- Advent Wreath Readings for Your Bulletin: A Week-by-Week Guide
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