Advent & Christmas Ministry Resources
At Christmas we celebrate the first coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Through this account we learn much about God and His ways.
Christmas is one of the 14 holidays included in the Holiday Reflections Discipleship Guides. Use this resource to reflect on what Jesus' coming to earth teaches us about God's ways.
Click on a tab below to view a list of resources to help keep the focus on Jesus this Advent and Christmas.
While seeking to choose doctrinally sound resources, we make no claim to total endorsement of any listing. Where possible, links go to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales. Links open in new pages to keep the list available.
About
About Christmas' History, Symbols, Traditions, and Celebrations
Articles about Its History, Biblical & Secular:
- Christmas Bible Verses
- Christmas Characters - Devotionals
- Christmas Facts and Fictions: Sorting Through Myth, History, and Scripture for the Real Story Behind the Season
- Christmas History
- Is Christmas True? Is Jesus Christ for real?
- The First Recorded Celebration of Christmas
- The History of Christmas & Advent
- What are some of the most common misconceptions about Jesus Christ's Birth?
- What Is Christmas?
Articles about Celebrating Christmas:
- 4 Misconceptions About Christmas - Clearing Up Misconceptions
- 9 Common Christmas Myths Christians Believe
- Is Christmas Necessary?
- Must Christians Celebrate Christmas?
- Questions About Christmas
- Six Ways to Miss Christmas
Articles about Symbols & Traditions:
- Christmas Facts - Sacred & Secular
- Christmas Symbols
- Christmas Symbols and their history
- Celebrate How? A Look Back At The Origins Of Christmas Traditions
- Christians and Santa Claus: a Biblical View
- History of the Christmas Tree
- Legends behind your favorite holiday plants
- The Real Saint Nicholas
- The Origins of the Candy Cane
- Where did our Christmas customs originate?
- Who is Santa Claus?
Articles about Christmas Celebrations Around the World:
- Christmas Traditions Around The World
- Celebrating Jesus Around the World: How Different Cultures Honor His Birth
Books:
- Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas by Ace Collins
- Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas by Ace Collins
- The War on Christmas: Battles in Faith, Tradition, and Religious Expression ed. Bodie Hodge
About the Effects of the Holiday
Articles:
- Holiday Reminders Needed
- Holidays and the Church
- How to Manage The Influx of Volunteers During the Busy Christmas Season - 10 Things to Consider When Managing Church Volunteers
- Prepare for the Holidays: Dealing with the Effects
- 7 Tips to Avoid the Dark Side of the Holidays - Addiction and Mental Health Help
- 10 Ways to Process the Emotions of Christmas Loss
- Beating The Holiday Blues
- Conflicting Messages at Christmas?
- Prayers for the Holiday Blues: Finding Peace When the Season Feels Heavy
- So Much of ... Everything but Jesus Over the Holidays
Books:
- A Decembered Grief by Harold Ivan Smith
Teacher Training for Bible Teachers:
Advent
Information About & Resources for Advent
Articles:
- An Explanation of Advent Candles
- History of the Advent Season
- History of Advent Wreath
- History of Advent Wreath Candles
Advent Calendars:
Advent Candles & Wreaths:
Bulletins:
Lessons & Devotional Ideas:
- Advent Bible Studies Books
- Advent Conspiracy Book & Video
- Advent Devotionals
- Advent Devotionals for Churches
- Advent Alphabet Object Lessons
- Christmas Family Event: 12 Advent Ideas
Misc. Resources:
Children - Youth
Ideas & Resources for Youth Ministry (Teens) During the Christmas Season
- Activity Idea: Candy Cane Christmas
- Activity Idea: Christmas Bows
- Activity Idea: Christmas Ornament Gospel
- Activity Idea: Christmas Games for Youth Groups: 22 Creative Ideas
- Activity Idea: Gift Wrapped Christmas
- Bible Lessons: List of Bible Lessons for Teens for the Christmas Season
- Books: Christmas Books for Teens
Ideas & Resources for Children's Ministry During the Christmas Season
Articles:
- 3 Great Ways to Share the Gospel With Kids This Christmas
- Christmas Bible Learning Activities for Babies
- Countdown to Christmas
- Did Someone Mention Santa Claus?
- How to Teach Children the Christmas Story (suggestions for each age group)
Bible Lessons:
Bookmarks for Children:
- Jesus Is the Gift God Gave the World! (Luke 2:11) - pack of 25
- Jesus Is Our Wonderful Counselor ... (Isaiah 9:16) Bookmarks - pack of 25
Books for Children:
- Beginner's Bible: Jesus Is Born by Zonderkidz
- Itsy Bitsy Christmas You're Never Too Little for His Love by Max Lucado
- The Christmas Story for Children by Max Lucado
- More Christmas Books for Kids
Bulletin Boards:
Crafts & Coloring:
- More Craft Kits for Christmas
- 25 Best Christmas Nativity Crafts for Kids in Your Children’s Ministry
- Coloring Books
- Coloring Pages
- Craft Ideas for Kids
- Craft: Clothespin Manger Nativity Scene
- Prophecies of Jesus Tree Ornaments
DVDs:
- The Little Drummer Boy by VeggieTales
- The Prince of Peace: A Christmas Story, DVD
- More Christmas DVDs for Kids
Games and Other Activities:
- Nativity Finger Puppets
- Nativity Puzzles
- The Legend of the Candy Cane Game
- More Games and Activities
Misc. Ideas:
- Christmas Bingo
- Christmas Bible Skill Games
- Jason's Christmas List Skit Idea (pdf)
- Preschool Christmas Program Ideas
- Wordsearch - The First Christmas - Printable Quiz
Misc. Resources:
- Advent for Kids
- Christmas Music for Kids
- Christmas Puzzles
- Make & Do Christmas Puppet Plays Book
- Printable Christmas Plays for Kids’ Ministry in Small Churches
- The Legend of the Candy Cane - Book, Bookmarks, Stickers, Cards, Coloring & Activity Book, DVD
Nativity Sets:
- Chipboard Nativity Playset
- Little People Nativity Set
- Nativity Nesting Dolls
- Tales of Glory Nativity Playset
Stickers:
Outreach
Evangelistic Christmas Outreach Ideas and Resources
Articles:
- 3 Great Ways to Share the Gospel With Kids This Christmas
- 25 Christmas Outreach Ideas You'll Actually Want to Do with Kids
- Prepare for the Holidays: A Time to Reach Out to Others
- Sharing Jesus at Christmas: 5 Easy Ideas for Holiday Evangelism
- Your Early Christmas To-Do List: 8 Ways to Plan Ahead for Your Christmas Ministries
Books:
- The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel
Ideas:
Tracts to Share the Good News of Christmas
Resources
Church Supplies for Christmas
Bulletins:
Letterhead:
Offering Envelopes:
- O come, O come, Emmanuel (Isaiah 25:9) Offering Envelopes - pack of 100
- More Christmas Offering Envelopes
Christmas Devotionals, Sermons, Teaching, Program Ideas
Articles:
- 15 Great Christmas Sermon Tips Every Preacher Needs
- A Reason to Celebrate
- At Christmas, Let's Remember .... (Series of Articles) - follow related links at bottom of article
- Christmas Bible Verses Still Affect You?
- Christmas Is . . .
- Christmas - Across the Line (intended for youth but could also work with adults)
- Christmas Ideas for Your Small Group
- Jesus ... God With Us
- Lessons from the Wise Men
- Making Even Well-Known Truths Relevant
- My Utmost for His Highest: His Birth and Our New Birth by Oswald Chambers
- What are the odds surrounding Jesus Christ?
Books
- Because of Bethlehem: Love Is Born, Hope Is Here by Max Lucado
- Why the Nativity? 25 Compelling Reasons We Celebrate the Birth of Jesus by David Jeremiah
Curriculum:
- Christmas Reminders - adult Bible lessons by Ministry Tools Resource Center
- May Jesus Help Our Christmas - adult Bible lessons by Ministry Tools Resource Center
- List of Bible Lessons for Adults, Teens, and Children for the Christmas Season
DVD Studies:
- The Twelve Words Of Christmas - Louie Giglio
- Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the Nails Study Guides with DVD: Love Is Born Hope Is Here by Max Lucado
Illustrations:
- Christmas Sermon Illustrations
- Illustrations at PreachingToday.com
- Illustrations at Sermon Central
- The 7 Best Christmas Sermon Illustrations to Grab Their Attention
Programming Ideas:
DVDs about Christmas
- Christmas Child - A Max Lucado Story
- Christmas with a Capital C DVD
- The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, DVD
- The Crippled Lamb, DVD based on Max Lucado book
- The King is Born by Nest Family Entertainment
- The Little Drummer Boy by VeggieTales
- The Prince of Peace: A Christmas Story, DVD
- The Toy That Saved Christmas DVD by Veggie Tales
Music for Christmas
Articles:
- "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing:" Explained Line-by-Line
- History of Silent Night
- The Stories Behind 4 Popular Christmas Carols
- The Theology of Christmas Music
Resources & Ideas:
- Christmas Accompaniment Tracks on CD
- Christmas Accompaniment Tracks as MP3s
- Christmas Carol Songbooks
- Christmas Choir & Musicals for Adults
- Christmas Musicals for Children
- Christmas Performance Resources
- Christmas Music CDs
- Hum That Christmas Tune Game Idea
- Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas Book
- More Stories Behind the Best-Loved Songs of Christmas
Plays, Skits, Monologues - Scripts & more for Christmas
Articles:
- Christmas Play Program: A Practical Planning Timeline for Churches
- How To Take The Hassle Out of Directing A Children's Drama or Musical
Scripts & Ideas:
- Christmas Freeze Frames
- Christmas Monologues
- Instant Christmas Pageant
- Online Christmas Scripts
- Pageant Costumes, Accessories and Backdrops
- The Birth of Jesus
- The Perfect Gift
Other Ideas and Resources for Christmas
- Banners
- Bulletin Board Ideas
- Candlelight Services Supplies - candles, drip protectors
- Christmas Cards
- Game: Right Left Nativity Story
- Ideas: Five Ways to Welcome New Families During the Holidays
- Ideas: Redeeming the Season: Simple Ideas for a Memorable and Meaningful Christmas - Book by Pam McCune, Kim Wier - Focus on the Family
May you make the most of this season by pointing people not just to a little baby but to the Savior of the world. May these Christmas ministry resources help you stay focused on Him.