Advent and Christmas 2026 Resources

Hope in the Waiting Materials

Worship resources equipping leaders to explore the theme of Hope in the Waiting. Find release dates below.

In a world shaped by impatience, Advent and Christmas invite us into a different rhythm – the slow, stretching work of waiting.

Throughout Scripture, waiting is a place where God meets people, shapes them and teaches them to discover hope. Nowhere is this truer than the story of Jesus’ birth.

For generations, God’s people had waited for the Messiah. Through periods of silence, struggle and uncertainty, they held on to the hope that God would do what he promised.

In this season we join those whose waiting is transformed by hope. Through their stories, we see that waiting is not empty time – rather, it is holy ground where we encounter hope in God.

Through their eyes, we are invited to see waiting differently. Rather than something to rush through or overcome, we discover that the waiting itself is part of the gift.

Because at the heart of Christmas is the truth of Immanuel – God with us. Because God is present, hope is present. Even in seasons of darkness, uncertainty or longing, we never wait alone.

First Sunday of Advent – Hope in Silence

Luke 1:5-25 (Waiting with Elizabeth and Zechariah)

Hope finds Elizabeth and Zechariah in a season of disappointment, silence and unanswered questions. As they wait, they carry both personal longing and the wider hopes of a people who have spent generations seeking God’s promised salvation. Yet even when God seems silent, he is still at work. Their story reminds us that hope does not mean ignoring hardship – it means trusting God’s faithfulness within it. And as we turn to him in our silent waiting, we encounter the source of all hope.

Second Sunday of Advent – Hope for a Better World

Luke 1:39-56 (Waiting with Mary)

Hope takes shape in Mary’s song as she celebrates God’s vision for the world. Through the Magnificat she declares a reality where the humble are lifted up, the hungry are filled and God’s justice prevails. In a world that often rewards cynicism, Mary’s hope looks beyond what is and trusts in what God is bringing about. She invites us to glimpse a different future and to recognise the signs of God’s Kingdom already at work – even when change feels distant and we desperately wait for things to be different.

Third Sunday of Advent – Hope in Uncertainty

Matthew 1:18–25 (Waiting with Joseph)

Hope finds Joseph in a season of uncertainty. When his life takes an unexpected turn, he must decide whether he will trust God’s promises or his own human understanding. Joseph’s story reminds us that hope does not require all the answers. Instead, it invites us to place our confidence in God’s faithfulness and take the next step. As we wait for the Lord’s purposes to unfold, Joseph shows us that hope often grows through trust – even when we do not have the full picture.

Fourth Sunday of Advent – Hope Made Real

Luke 2:8–20 (Waiting with the Shepherds)

Hope interrupts the shepherds in the middle of ordinary life. The angels announce that God’s long-promised Saviour has come, and they discover that true hope is not found in an idea or aspiration but in the person of Jesus. As they journey to Bethlehem, they encounter a hope that is real, trustworthy and life-changing. In a world searching for meaning and certainty, the shepherds remind us that God comes near. Because Jesus is with us, hope is here with us too.

Sunday After Christmas – Hope for the Long Haul

Luke 2:22–38 (Waiting with Anna and Simeon)

Hope keeps Anna and Simeon watching, praying and trusting through a lifetime of waiting. When they meet the young Jesus, they recognise the fulfilment of the promises they have carried in their hearts for many years. Their story reminds us that waiting with God is never wasted, because he is always at work, even when we cannot yet see it. As the year draws to a close, Anna and Simeon point us beyond Christmas, encouraging us to keep living in hope as God’s story continues to unfold.

First Sunday of the New Year – Active Hope

Matthew 2:1–12 (Waiting with the Wise Men)

Hope sets the wise men on an intentional journey towards Christ. Guided by a star in the darkness, they follow the light God provides, choosing to take each step as they faithfully wait. Their story reminds us that hope is a choice, but it is not something we sustain alone. Hope flows from God, enabling us to keep moving forward in faith. Travelling together, the wise men also show us that hope is shared. As we encourage one another on our own journeys, hope inspires a community of faith, action and expectation.

The following materials will be available from mid September 2026:

Hope in the Waiting short thought based on the overall theme that you could use throughout Advent and Christmas, in various contexts
Four Advent sermon starters inviting your congregation or community to join those in the Advent narrative whose waiting is transformed by hope (Elizabeth and Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds)

The following materials will be available from mid October 2026:

Prayer and worship ideas equipping you to explore the theme throughout Advent and Christmas, including some song suggestions
Prayer station ideas for you and those in your community to pause and wait on God
Service outline for the Sunday after Christmas, including a short thought focusing on Anna and Simeon, for you to lead a stress-free service after the busyness of Advent
Sermon starter for the first Sunday of the new year, focusing on the wise men
Hope in the Waiting reflective video inviting those in your setting to step away from impatience and into God’s timing
Colouring sheets
PowerPoint templates
Editable posters
Social media graphics

Harvest Offering Resources

Resources and ideas for your Harvest offering. This year's theme focuses on Isaiah 43:19 as we look to the new plans God has in mind and declare hope over our communities.