The experience of Advent can be vastly different across the Christian community. While many people may be familiar with an Advent calendar filled with tasty candy or other treats, they may not know why we celebrate Advent.
Advent is a great way to start the Christmas season. The word Advent comes from the Latin word “adventus,” which means “coming” or “arrival.” We use the Advent season to prepare our hearts for the arrival of Jesus.
Filling our hearts and minds with God’s Word by reading the Bible is an excellent way to observe Advent. Choosing an Advent Bible reading plan can be helpful in meditating on Bible verses that are themed around Advent.
Some people take the time in the season of Advent to read in the Bible about the Christmas Story. Others read Bible verses on the four themes common to many Advent celebrations: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.
Three different free printable Advent Bible reading plans are included in this post, and we will highlight some other options for observing Advent.
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Printable Advent Bible Reading Plan: 3 Options
These three printable Advent Bible reading plans give you choices on how you want to add some Christmas-themed Bible passages to your devotional time.
With the 25-day plan, you can start on December 1st, and read 1 or 2 Bible verses to each day. The 5-day plan is about Jesus’ birth and might be more suited to December 21st – 25th.
The weekly plan might be done on the 4 Sundays leading up to Christmas, with the 5th reading on Christmas Eve, or Christmas Day.
These three options are meant to be flexible, and add some time of reflection to the holiday season. A printable with all 3 plans will follow.
Daily Advent Reading: 25 Short Daily Scripture Readings
These 25 daily Bible readings are 1 or 2 Bible verses based on 4 traditional themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. This Advent reading plan contains selections from both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
This can be a great way to add a little Christmas reflection to an existing quiet time routine during the month of December.
The brevity of it can also be a good choice for daily readings with small children or the whole family. Each Scripture reminds of the hope, peace, joy, and love we can find in Jesus!
Reading from December 1st – December 25th would be the ideal timeframe.
Theme: Hope
Day 1: Matthew 12:21
Day 2: Romans 15:13
Day 3: Psalm 71:5
Day 4: Isaiah 41:10
Day 5: Psalm 38:15
Day 6: Lamentations 3:24
Day 7: Romans 5:5
Theme: Peace
Day 8: Luke 2:14
Day 9: 1 Peter 5:6-7
Day 10: 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Day 11: John 14:27
Day 12: Colossians 3:15
Day 13: Psalm 4:8
Day 14: Numbers 6:26
Theme: Joy
Day 15: Luke 2:10
Day 16: Proverbs 17:22
Day 17: Philippians 4:4
Day 18: John 16:22
Day 19: Psalm 126:5
Day 20: Acts 2:28
Day 21: John 15:10
Theme: Love
Day 22: John 3:16
Day 23: Romans 5:8
Day 24: 1 John 4:9
Day 25: 1 John 4:19
You can get the free printable plan below, or purchase the version with printable 4 x 6 Bible verse cards in our Etsy shop.
5-Day Advent Plan: 5 Christmas Passages
If you would prefer Advent Bible readings that center around the Christmas story, this is a good option. It covers 5 different passages about Jesus’ birth and plan for our redemption.
Day 1: Jesus foretold (Isaiah 9:6)
Day 2: Mary told of Jesus birth (Luke 1:26-38)
Day 3: The Birth of Christ (Luke 2:1-21)
Day 4: The wise men worship Jesus (Matthew 2:1-12)
Day 5: God’s love in sending His Son (1 John 4:7-10)
This reading plan is available as its own printable worksheet, with space for reflection for each day.
Download the 5 day Christmas Bible reading plan and worksheet here.
You can also download a thankfulness worksheet for the Christmas season.
Weekly Advent Bible Reading Plan: 5 Bible Passages
If you prefer weekly Advent celebration, perhaps in a small group or in family devotions, these suggested weekly Advent Bible readings can be helpful. They would be perfect for the 4 Sundays of Advent plus Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
Week 1: Matthew 12:18-21
Week 2: Isaiah 9:6-7
Week 3: Isaiah 12:1-3
Week 4: John 3:16-17
Week 5: Luke 2:8-14
Free Printable Advent Reading Plan – Weekly, 25-day, or 5-day options
All 3 plans are on one printable Advent Bible reading plan sheet. This can be useful as you decide which plan is best for you, or what you need to use it for.
Download the Printable Advent Reading Plans PDF.
The Bible verses in the 25 day plan come from my Advent Bible Verse cards kit on Etsy. Click here or on the image to see more.
Other Advent Bible Reading Plans
Looking for more options? Here are a few more choices.
- Green Gate Images has a beautiful printable Advent set, with an printable Advent Bible reading plan included.
- Choose an Advent Scripture reading plan in the YouVersion app; browse them here.
- Blue Letter Bible, an excellent Bible study resource, has a plan with 20 readings here.
- Kingdom Bloggers has “A Christmas Story Digital 31-Day Bible Reading Plan” available here.
- Check my Pinterest board for more ideas!
What are Other Ways to Celebrate Advent?
- Some churches light Advent candles the 4 Sundays before Christmas, sometimes in an Advent wreath. They may also offer a candlelight service shortly before Christmas or on Christmas Eve.
- Pick up a devotional book about Advent, either for your own study, or to cover with your family.
- Make Advent crafts. This Pinterest board has a lot of fun Advent or Christmas themed crafts. Some are great for home, while others might be perfect for Sunday School class or children’s church.
There are many ways to celebrate Advent, and I encourage you to find ways that are meaningful to you. Advent is a time for hope, peace, joy, and love. It is a time to reflect on the coming of Christ and to prepare our hearts for His birth.
At Christmastime, we celebrate Jesus, also called “Immanuel.” Matthew 1:23 ESV says, “‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”
God is with us! Taking time to appreciate that God sent His Son to us, and redeemed us through Jesus, gives us even more reason to reflect on Him this Christmas season.
May you have a blessed Advent season celebrating the true meaning of Christmas! Let’s take a moment to pray for the Advent season.
Dear God,
We come to You today as we begin our Advent journey. We pray that You will help us to slow down and focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
We pray that You will strengthen us for the busyness of the Christmas season, but also to find time for quiet reflection and prayer.
We pray that You will help us to study the Advent readings and to learn more about Your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray that You will help us to be filled with joy and peace as we prepare to celebrate His birth.
We pray for all those who are struggling during this special season. We pray for those who are lonely, those who are grieving, and those who are in need. We pray that You will comfort them and give them hope.
We pray for ourselves and our families. We pray that You will bless us during this special season. We pray that You will help us to celebrate His birth with joy and peace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Merry Christmas!
If you liked reading this post, you may enjoy my article Costs of the Magic of Christmas over at Just Between Us and Prayers for December here on this site.
Visit my Etsy shop and take a look at the printable Christmas bookmarks or printable Advent Bible verse cards.
