ADVENT 2025
Advent has arrived! Beginning on November 30th, the Advent season marks the start of the Christian year and begins the countdown to Christmas. During Advent, we prepare ourselves to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ child.
This year’s theme “What Do You Fear?: Insisting on Hope this Advent Season” invites us to remember that even in the most challenging or harrowing circumstances, God is with us. As the angels tell the protagonists of the nativity story, “Do not be afraid!” This season, we hope you will find reason to be filled with hope and joy as we make our way to the cradle of Christ.
Advent is always a joyous time of year, but it is particularly special to celebrate with you at East End UMC. Our traditions and celebrations provide us with multiple opportunities to embrace the spirit of this holy season. Find devotionals and our full Advent calendar below to discover how you can join us on the journey!
Advent 2025 Devotionals
We have prepared a 2025 Advent Devotional, which can be downloaded here, and will also be distributed every week during the Advent and Christmas seasons through our email list and social media posts at 7:00 AM. You are invited to read Scripture and meditate on the theme for the week using a piece of art. You will gaze upon the art meditatively as an act of “visio divina” (sacred seeing).
Celebrate Advent With Us
Check out our Advent events below and read more about what each activity or worship opportunity entails!
Advent Family Serving Day
December 7, 3:00 PM, at East Nashville Care Market
Families and children are invited to serve our neighbors in East Nashville by volunteering at the East Nashville Care Market. ENCM provides food, supplies, and other services to the most vulnerable in our community. Join us as we help them organize their supplies and prepare their space for one of the busiest seasons of their year.
UMY Christmas Party
December 7, 5:00 PM, at Aldersgate
All youth (6th-12th grade) are invited to a time of festive food, fellowship and fun including festive games and a gift exchange.
Bell Removal Celebration
December 13, 10:00 AM, at 522 Russell Street
Our new sanctuary renovation is well under way, and this Advent season, the large bells in the tower are scheduled to be removed. This will be an exciting thing to see for people of all ages, and we want to celebrate. Join us for coffee, hot cocoa, treats, and maybe even a picnic as we watch a giant crane remove these 100+ year old bells so they can be transported out of state for restoration.
Lessons and Carols
December 14, 7:30 PM, at Scarritt Bennett Center
Join us for a beautiful night of music and spoken word as Advent scriptures are read, our voices join together in song, and the choir presents beautiful anthems for the season. A perfect entry into the Christmas spirit in the gorgeous surroundings of Wightman Chapel at the Scarritt Bennett Center.
Christmas Eve Service
December 24, 1:00 PM, at Eastwood Christian Church
This will be a family friendly service including music, an interactive Christmas story, a short message of Christmas hope, and candle lighting. Come ready to sing, laugh, play, and pray as we await Christmas day.
Worship w/ Eastwood Christian Church
December 28, 10:00 AM, at Eastwood Christian Church
We're doing a joint worship service with our friends at Eastwood Christian Church! Both of our worship teams will plan and lead service together, ensuring a beautiful way to worship with one another.
Epiphany Sunday
January 4, 10:00 AM, at Warner Elementary
Join us for Epiphany Sunday at our regular worship space, Warner Elementary at 10:00 AM! Epiphany Sunday is when we remember the visit of the wise persons to visit Jesus and we close out the Christmas season.