The Media Center offers the following studies, DVDs, books, websites, and program resources for use with adults, youth, and children during Advent and Christmas.
Request to borrow any of the following resources from the Media Center for use in your church, small group, or Sunday School class. The NC Conference Media Center is open to all clergy and laity in the North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, free of charge.
DVD Resources for Adults
Engage in the Advent season with a unique study this year. Consider looking at the Christmas story through famous art in A Thrill of Hope, or through movies such as A Christmas Carol or It’s a Wonderful Life using the DVDs and reproducible study guides by Steve Skelton. Challenge your church or group to have a missional Christmas with The Advent Conspiracy or A Different Kind of Christmas. Many other studies are also available.
The Media Center also carries movies and talks about the Christmas story. Be inspired by preaching from Andy Stanley or Louie Giglio. Learn Christmas history in a documentary about the three wise men and the star, the creche, or Saint Nicholas. Some members in your church may be going through a difficult time at Christmas. Share in their struggle and inspire hope with the stories featured in the Merry Christmas? DVD.
Full List: For a complete list of our Advent DVDs, see the Advent and Christmas DVDs for Adults Pathfinder.
Book Studies
There are some excellent book studies available that will challenge and inspire your group while presenting a fresh experience with the Advent season. In Awaiting the Already, you will study each of the gospel accounts in a fresh way. Light the Advent wreath together as you discuss daily devotional readings using Light of Lights from the Upper Room. Experience African American traditions with Makin’ Room in the Inn or Mary Had a Baby. Many more book studies are also available.
On a budget at the end of the year? Borrow a book study by Steve Skelton and you can reproduce the booklet for everyone in your group for free. He offers Advent studies on The Night Before Christmas, A Christmas Carol, The Gift of the Magi, and Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. Did you hear that the tomb of the real Saint Nicholas may have been found? Learn more about the real man who inspired the character of Santa Claus in Skelton’s newest study on Saint Nicholas.
Full List: For a complete list of our Advent book studies, see the Advent and Christmas Books for Adults Pathfinder.
Comparison Chart: For a comparison chart of recent DVD and book-based Advent studies, download this PDF from Cokesbury.
Books
Supplement your group studies with these books that intend to help you keep your focus during the busy Christmas season. Learn to slow down with God With Us, Unplug the Christmas Machine, and Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime.
Create new family traditions with God Rest Ye Grumpy Scroogeymen, Creating Christmas Memories, Chrismons, and A Yuletide Treasury of Poems, Carols, and Songs.
Prepare your worship services using Essential Advent, Abingdon’s Christmas Drama Collection, or Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Services.
Full List: For a complete list of our books about Advent and Christmas, see the Advent and Christmas Books for Adults Pathfinder.
Youth Resources
Eleven of our adult DVD studies have youth versions available including studies by Adam Hamilton, James W. Moore, Michael Slaughter, and other United Methodist pastors. Using the adult-level DVD is optional. A new book study series for youth, Fathom, has one study for use during Advent on The Coming of Jesus.
Seasons of Faith offers intergenerational options for youth and adults including studies, crafts, and activities.
Educate your middle-schoolers using the What Is Advent? activity booklets to teach the basics of the season through fun games and puzzles.
Full List: For a complete list of the youth resources, see our Advent and Christmas Resources for Youth Pathfinder.
Children’s Resources
Ten of our adult and youth DVD studies also have children’s versions adapted by United Methodist leaders in children’s ministry. Other options include programs such as Godly Play and All-in-One Sunday School that offer units on the Advent season.
This section also holds our collection of family-friendly movies about Christmas. There are many classics such as Barrington Bunny and The Stableboy’s Christmas, as well as classic fables such as The Legend of the Candy Cane and The Story of the Selfish Giant. There are episodes from series such as Veggie Tales, Friends and Heroes, Hermie, and Precious Moments. There are also newer films such as Once Upon a Stable and How Can I Celebrate Advent? These DVDs make great fill-ins in children’s ministry or fun family movie nights.
We also have a collection of children’s picture books about Christmas. Mix up your Sunday School, day care classes, or children’s sermons by sharing precious stories such as On the Way to Bethlehem, One Wintry Night, Why Christmas Trees Aren’t Perfect, or the Native American fable, The Give-Away. Several of these books are written in English and Spanish on the same page making them effective outreach tools for multicultural ministries. These include A Baby is Coming, The First Christmas, Miracle of the Poinsettia, Wonder of Christmas, and Lily, the Lost and Found Lamb.
If you need new ideas for how to celebrate Christmas with your church’s children, consider borrowing Christmas Extras, The Big Book of Holiday and Bible Celebrations, or Celebrate Christmas: Easy Dramas, Speeches, and Recitations.
Full List: For a complete list of our children’s resources for use during the Christmas season, see our Advent and Christmas Resources for Children Pathfinder.
Outreach Resources
The United Methodist Church is using the theme, “Unwrap the true meaning of Christmas,” in their national advertising campaign. Your church can order outreach resources using this theme including posters, door hangers, postcards, banners, and more. Four different styles are available. The Media Center has free posters using the gold theme for in-person visitors while supplies last.
Also while supplies last, churches can receive a $400 credit towards their purchase of outreach materials at outreach.com/UMC. A webinar on the resources available and how to use them has been archived on the United Methodist Communications website. That website also offers this article with creative ideas for Christmas outreach.
Media Center Display
Advent and Christmas resources are now on display in the NC Conference Media Center. Stop by to choose your resources and get a free poster! If you cannot visit in person, you can request resources online and receive them in the mail. Just mail them back after Christmas. Request resources as early as possible to reserve items for use during Advent. Quantities are limited. Contact the Media Center with any questions.