Advent Reading Plan: Preparing Your Heart to Encounter Christmas
Use these scripture passages and discussion questions to engage God’s Word together!
Week 1
Advent is a season of anticipation. How does anticipation make the celebration greater? How did this weeks readings point to the coming of Jesus at Christmas? If anything, what will you do differently this year in anticipation of the Christmas celebration?
November 30 - First Sunday of Advent - Psalm 122
December 1 - Monday, First Week - Psalm 124
December 2 - Tuesday, First Week - Hebrews 11:32-40
December 3 - Wednesday, First Week - Isaiah 54:1-10
December 4 - Thursday, First Week - James 4:1-10
December 5 - Friday, First Week - Hebrews 11:1-7
December 6 - Saturday, First Week - Isaiah 40:1-11
Week 2
The second week of Advent is when the historic church has celebrated the peace of the coming King. Where in your life do you need peace, right now? How can the Christmas celebration point you to peace? Spend some time in prayer asking God to meet your anxiety or conflict with His peace.
December 7 - Second Sunday of Advent - Isaiah 11:1-10
December 8 - Monday, Second Week - Psalm 21
December 9 - Tuesday, Second Week - Romans 15:14-21
December 10 - Wednesday, Second Week - Genesis 15:1-18
December 11 - Thursday, Second Week - Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
December 12 - Friday, Second Week - Isaiah 30:19-26
December 13 - Saturday, Second Week - John 1:19-28
Week 3
One of our great hymns of the season is “Joy to the World." the text reads “Joy to the world. The Lord has come. Let earth receive her king! Let every heart prepare him room. And heaven and nature sing." The third week of advent celebrates the joy of the coming King. What is the biblical definition of joy? Is Christmas typically a joyful season for you? Why or why not? How could the coming of Jesus fulfill our joy? Spend some time in prayer, asking God to reveal his joy that transcends our circumstances.
December 14 - Third Sunday of Advent - Isaiah 35:1-10
December 15 - Monday, Third Week - Psalm 42
December 16 - Tuesday, Third Week - Jude 17-25
December 17 - Wednesday, Third Week - Matthew 8:14-17
December 18 - Thursday, Third Week - Psalm 146:5-10
December 19 - Friday, Third Week - Ruth 4:13-17
December 20 - Saturday, Third Week - Luke 3:1-18
Week 4
"For God, so loved the world…" In week four of the advent season, Christians have historically celebrated the great love of God. God has wrapped himself in flesh and come to be among us to do for us what we could not do for ourselves. How is the birth of Jesus a reflection of God's love? How is it an example for us to love one another? Pray that you would be able to more fully receive God's love this season and then reflect it to those around you. Be specific if possible.
December 21 - Fourth Sunday of Advent - Matthew 1:18-25
December 22 - Monday after Fourth Sunday - Isaiah 33:17-22
December 23 - Tuesday after Fourth Sunday - Luke 1:46b-55
December 24 - Christmas Eve - Luke 1:67-80
December 25 - Christmas Day - Luke 2:1–20