Advent

Advent

In the Episcopal Church, Advent is the first season of the church year. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends at midnight the day before Christmas. The name comes from the Latin word for “coming.” The Advent season is a time of preparation for the celebration of our Lord’s birth. The liturgical color of the season is blue. The color blue represents royalty, the coming of the King, Jesus Christ.

Check back for 2023 Advent updates! Review the 2022 Advent season at St. Martin's below. 

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Seasonal Worship

ECW Children's Christmas Party

Saturday, Dec. 3
10 a.m.
Student Life Center

Hosted by Episcopal Church Women of St. Martin's

Celebrate Jesus' Birthday!

The joys of the seasons come to life for children up to 12 to celebrate Jesus’ birthday and enjoy a fun-filled celebration. Activities include a reading of the Christmas Story, photos with Santa, crafts and more holiday fun.

Please bring an unwrapped toy (for ages 10-17), or a Target or Walmart gift card that will be donated to the DePelchin Children's Center and Christian Community Service Center.

The mission of the Episcopal Church Women of St. Martin's is to bring women together for fellowship, service and outreach while spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

For more information, contact Valerie Rivera at 713-985-3817 or [email protected].

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Seasonal Worship

A Festival of Lessons and Carols

Traditional Service


Sunday, Dec. 4
11:15 a.m.
The Church

St. Martin's annual Lessons and Carols service is a wonderful testament to the holiday season, which features Christmas carols that celebrate the birth of our Savior.

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Seasonal Worship

Riverway Festival of Lessons and Carols

Contemporary Service


Sunday, Dec. 4
11:15 a.m.
Parish Life Center

The annual Riverway Lessons and Carols is a distinct Advent tradition that includes nine Scripture lessons that foretell of the coming Messiah. We are reminded that Christ has come once, and he has promised to come again. Accompanying each of the ancient prophesies will be a musical response put together by our talented Riverway musicians. It will be a beautiful blend of the old and new with the classic words of Scripture meeting the contemporary music that is a staple of Riverway worship. Join us as we prepare for Christmas and the Lord’s return once again.

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Seasonal Worship

Advent Family Festival

Sunday, Dec. 4
4-6 p.m.
Bagby Parish Hall

Celebrate Advent with fresh evergreens and supplies to make a family Advent wreath, followed by a pancake dinner. Donations are appreciated. Please come join the fun!

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Seasonal Worship

Wayne and Friends

In Concert Holiday Edition

Sunday, Dec. 4
7 p.m.
Parish Life Center

Born Is The King!
Wayne Watson, St. Martin’s Director of Contemporary Music, opens the Christmas season and is joined by special guest performer, Curt Cloninger, and talented musicians who perform Sundays at the Riverway service.  The concert is open to all and will feature holiday favorites, celebrating the birth of our Lord.

The evening will be a mix of instrumental Christmas classics, carols, modern Christmas compositions, comedy and drama that will feed you, challenge and bless you. For the past six years, Watson has held this concert at different locations, which has featured Christian artists.


This year, Curt Cloninger — writer, actor and dramatic artist — will bring his unique brand of messaging for an unforgettable Christmas experience.

Devotionals Needed!
Bring a new or gently used Bible, devotional or other Christian book, which will be donated to the Houston International Seafarers Center.
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Seasonal Worship

Blue Christmas

Blue Christmas in the Manner of Taizé
Wednesday, Dec. 7
5 p.m.
Parish Life Center

Sometimes, the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations make it difficult to prepare our hearts and souls for the birth of Christ. This service will be enveloped by the quiet, meditative music and prayer of Taizé, designed to allow those who attend the opportunity to be attentive to God in this oftentimes harried season. 

This year, the Blue Christmas service will be celebrated in the manner of Taizé Prayer, which recognizes the need in this holy season to set aside time to rest and restore our souls amidst the glitter and celebration of the season.

There will be the usual elements of a Blue Christmas service – lighted candles and prayers around the cross with OSL prayer ministers available after the service for those who need a healing prayer.
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Seasonal Worship

Advent Quiet Day

Advent Quiet Day of Prayer and Contemplation: Seeking the Incarnation
Sponsored by The Order of the Daughters of the King®
Saturday, Dec. 10
9 a.m.-noon
Parish Life Center

The theme of the 2022 Advent Quiet Day, Seeking the Incarnation, speaks of the implications of the Word becoming flesh in Jesus of Nazareth. St. Martin’s Clergy will provide meditations on three aspects of Jesus as the Incarnate One: Incarnate to be Human, Incarnate to be in Relationship, and Incarnate to be the Christ.

St. Martin’s Campus features three pieces of artwork that speak to these views of Jesus as the Incarnation: the Tympanum of the Holy Family above the doors of Christ Chapel; the bronze statue of Jesus with the Children outside of the Children’s Life Center; and the armless and handless statue of Christ in the Christus Garden on the east side of the Parish Life Center.

Between the meditations, Parishioners will have time for quiet contemplation to journal, pray, or walk the grounds of St. Martin’s.

Information from our 2021 Advent Quiet Day

In 2021, St. Martin’s welcomed The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church, to celebrate Advent Quiet Day on Dec. 11, which was sponsored by The Order of the Daughters of the King® and co-hosted by St. Martin’s and St. James’ Episcopal Church. The Most Rev. Michael Curry focused his sermons on the themes of “Hope, Joy, Peace and Love.”

View the 2021 Advent Quiet Day event by clicking below.

Watch 2021 Advent Quiet Day
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Seasonal Worship

Houston Boychoir

Winter Concert and Reception

Saturday, Dec. 17
4 p.m.
The Church

A favorite among Parishioners, the Houston Boychoir has earned its place in the city's fine arts community, collaborating with numerous professional organizations including the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Houston Bach Society, Moores School or Music and Hope Stone Dance.

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Seasonal Worship

Christmas Story in Song

Sunday, Dec. 18
9:15 a.m. Family Table service
Parish Life Center

Hear the Young Singers of St. Martin's as they present a Christmas Program of Lessons and Carols. Sing along to some of your favorite traditional carols and hear the telling of the Christmas Story.

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Seasonal Worship

Advent Resources at St. Martin's Gift Shoppe

Prepare for this solemn and wonderful season with these special resources:

"Preparing Room" by the Rev. Dr. Russell J. Levenson, Jr.

  • Scriptures key to telling the Christmas story as it centers on Jesus
  • Brief meditations to help readers step more deeply into the Advent story
  • Reflections on how to prepare just a bit more room for the King
  • Prayers from Judeo-Christian tradition or by the author

"Advent Wreath Devotional" by Laura and Russ Levenson

The “Advent Wreath Devotional” in both adult and children’s versions provides a framework within which to traverse the Advent season.