Celebrating Advent as a Closing Congregation
Advent and Christmas in a Closing Church
Ah, Advent: The four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, so full of anticipation! It’s a time of preparation, a time of waiting, a time of longing. It’s a time to sit in the “not yet” and wait patiently for the Peace that is to come.
In recognition of this season of preparation, churches often delay celebrating Christmas until December 24. Through Advent, they sing few (if any) Christmas carols, they wait to place the Baby Jesus in the nativity scene, and they avoid red and green themes and imagery. Clergy often find themselves reining in congregation members, who want to skip Advent and settle into Christmas.
I see the merit in the waiting, I really do. Rejecting the capitalism that cultural Christmas has become requires intentional waiting, and that can be beautiful.
On the other hand, when a congregation is in the midst of a difficult discernment process or has already made the decision to close, waiting to celebrate Christmas may feel like one more dashed hope, maybe even a little too prescient.
For congregations in the process of closing, the coming day when we permanently put our wreaths and bows in boxes looms, ever-present. Grief may be more palpable than joy, and it can be easy to lose sight of the goodness of this season.
What if, instead of sitting in the waiting, you lean into moments of Joy?
Congregations that are closing may choose to live into joy as an act of resistance, even when circumstances are challenging.
Because our faith is not dependent on buildings and bylaws, but on who God is, churches have reason to celebrate! Nothing about God’s faithfulness changes when a congregation closes, and glimpses of resurrection abound, even in Advent. Telling that story can be joyful, faithful, and brave.
If this is your congregation’s last Advent together – or if you have a hunch it might be – here are some suggestions as you plan!
~ Do sing the carols!
Yes, we know it’s Advent. But if this is your last year to celebrate together, enjoy! Christmas carols are very important to many folks, and it can be incredibly meaningful to offer that gift — even if it means singing “O Come All Ye Faithful” on Advent 2.
~ Don’t cancel traditions.
It can be easy when Big Decisions loom to forgo the traditions we’ve enjoyed, wondering, Does it even matter anymore? Maintaining what is familiar and loved can help cultivate a sense of closure.
~ Do add playful events.
Consider an extra Advent event or service — especially one that’s playful or fun! (Who says pageants and cookie decorating can only be done by children?!?)
~ Don’t worry about perfection.
It doesn’t need to be perfect. There is joy to be found in the mess of humanity, and the mess of congregational ministry.
~ Do distribute decorations!
If you’ve already made the decision to close, or if that’s a shared understanding in the church, invite everyone to take a Chrismon or ornament home with them, to remember the congregation in coming years. Consider even delivering them to home-centered members who can’t be in worship before Christmas. I have two Chrismons from the church I pastored that closed, and I cherish them.
~ Don’t forget the reason we celebrate Advent:
God enfleshed lived among us and is still with us today!
How will you lean into joy?
If you’ve walked through Advent with a congregation concluding ministry, we’d love to hear from you! What worked? What didn’t? What will you always treasure? Send us a message and share your story.
If you’re currently in your “last Christmas,” and you’d like help thinking through or processing Advent in your own closing congregation, book a free conversation. We’d love to help.
