Advent Bible Reading Plans: Celebrating Christ's Coming
By Bible Plan Generator Team
As the calendar turns toward December, the world seems to accelerate. Our days fill with shopping lists, holiday parties, decorating, and endless to-do lists. In the rush and excitement of the Christmas season, it’s incredibly easy to lose sight of the quiet, profound miracle we are meant to be celebrating. The very person the season is named for can get lost in the noise.
This is where the tradition of Advent comes in. It’s a season of intentional preparation, a time to slow down and prepare our hearts for the arrival of the King. An Advent Bible reading plan is one of the most powerful ways to cut through the clutter, building a daily rhythm of reflection that re-centers your focus on the true meaning of Christmas: the coming of Jesus Christ.
What is Advent?
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” For centuries, the church has observed the four weeks leading up to Christmas as a special season of waiting and preparation. This period isn’t just about looking back at the nativity story; it has a beautiful dual focus.
- Remembering the First Coming: We reflect on the prophecies and promises of the Old Testament, building a sense of anticipation as we journey with God’s people who waited centuries for their Messiah. We then celebrate His humble arrival as a baby in Bethlehem.
- Anticipating the Second Coming: Advent also reminds us that we are still a people in waiting. Just as Israel waited for the first coming, we now wait with hope for Christ’s promised return.
An Advent reading plan helps us engage with both of these themes, enriching our understanding of the entire story of salvation.
Creating Your Own Advent Bible Reading Plan
Unlike a “Bible in a Year” challenge, an Advent plan is short, focused, and deeply thematic. It’s a perfect way to build a consistent habit during a specific season. Here are a few wonderful approaches you can take.
1. Prophecy to Fulfillment
This is a classic and powerful way to celebrate Advent. Each day, you read an Old Testament prophecy about the coming Messiah and then its fulfillment in the New Testament. This approach beautifully connects the two testaments and highlights God’s faithfulness over centuries.
- Example Day: Read Isaiah 7:14 (“…the virgin shall conceive and bear a son…”) followed by Matthew 1:18-23, where the angel confirms this prophecy to Joseph.
- Why it works: It builds a deep sense of awe at the intricate and perfect plan of God.
2. The Names of Jesus
The prophet Isaiah gives the coming King a series of beautiful names: “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This type of plan focuses on a different name or title for Jesus each day, exploring what it means and how He fulfills that role.
- Example Day: Focus on the name “Immanuel.” Read the prophecy in Isaiah and the birth announcement in Matthew, then spend time reflecting on the meaning of “God with us.”
- Why it works: It deepens your personal relationship with Jesus by helping you understand the many facets of His character and work.
3. A Slow Walk Through the Nativity Story
Instead of reading the familiar Christmas story in one sitting on Christmas Eve, a 25-day plan can break it down into small, digestible pieces. You can linger on Zechariah’s prophecy, Mary’s song of praise, the shepherds’ visit, and the journey of the Magi.
- How to do it: Create a reading plan that slowly moves through Luke 1-2 and Matthew 1-2.
- Why it works: This deliberate pace allows you to notice details and feel the wonder of the story in a fresh way. It’s especially wonderful for families with children.
How Bible Plan Generator Can Help You Celebrate Advent
Our free web app is the perfect tool for creating a personalized Advent reading plan that fits you, your family, or your small group. The power is in our custom plan generator.
Here’s how you can create any of the plans mentioned above in just a few clicks:
- Create a Prophecy Plan: Use the “Custom Scope” feature to build your plan day-by-day. For Day 1, add Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:23. For Day 2, add Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2:1-6. You have complete control to build a 25-day journey through Scripture.
- Design a Nativity Plan: Select “Custom Scope,” choose the books of Matthew and Luke, and then specify just chapters 1-2 for each. Set the duration to 25 days, and our tool will automatically create a perfectly paced plan for the season.
- Share Your Plan: Once your plan is created, you can share it with a simple URL. This is perfect for inviting your family, friends, or small group to read along with you this Advent season.
The free tier gives you everything you need to create and track your seasonal plan. If you find you love creating custom plans, our Premium version allows you to save unlimited plans and even print your custom Advent plan to create a beautiful physical booklet for your family devotions.
This year, don’t let the beauty of Christmas get lost in the busyness. A simple, intentional reading plan can prepare your heart to celebrate the arrival of Jesus with fresh wonder and gratitude.
Celebrate Advent with daily Scripture reading. Create a free, personalized plan and focus your heart on the true reason for the season.