Advent, the first season of the year, begins four Sundays before Christmas and continues through Dec. 24. Advent is considered a time of preparation, hope, and expectation, as the church awaits both Christ’s earthly birth as the baby born in Bethlehem and his final coming “in power and glory,” as we confess in reciting the Nicene Creed.

The Christmas season starts on Dec. 25 and lasts for 12 days, through Jan. 5. In many churches, the main liturgical celebration of Christmas takes place on Christmas Eve.

The Book of Occasional Services offers an Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols, a Las Posadas liturgy of hospitality, Christmas Festival of Lessons and Music and seasonal blessings, and more. Find artwork, customizable videos, and other churchwide offerings below.