28 Advent Scriptures

Readings and Resources for the Christmas Season


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'The Bethlehem Star,' (2021), an original watercolor by Ralph F. Wilson, 12 x 18 in, in a private collection.
'The Bethlehem Star,' (2021), an original watercolor by Ralph F. Wilson, 12 x 18 in,  in a private collection.

Advent, the season preceding Christmas, is a time for thoughtful meditation as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ's birth. 28 Advent Scriptures is different from most Advent readings. Rather than a brief inspirational thought, each day you'll find an exposition of a key Bible passage that relates to the Advent season -- brief, but complete enough to help you understand the text and have an intensely rich time feasting on God's Word.

Readings are based on the best-known messianic prophecies, as well as the gospel accounts of Christ's birth. Each Advent exposition has enough meat to provide a thoughtful window into God's Word. For pastors who will prepare several Advent-related messages each year, the book is a treasure trove, with plenty of footnoted research that enables you to develop each passage into a sermon or talk.

Since the start date of Advent varies from year to year, most Advent booklets are designed for a particular calendar year. This series of Advent meditations, however, can be adapted to be used any year. Thus, you'll find a full 28 meditations (plus one for Christmas Day) to encompass the longest conceivable Advent season. Many families and churches use Advent Candles to celebrate the season. We include readings for each of the four Sundays of Advent as well as one for Christmas Day.

28 Advent Scriptures will strengthen your faith and increase your joy this season and for many Christmases to come. It also makes a great gift for your pastor or group leader. Sign up at the bottom of this page to receive a daily e-mail during the Advent season.

28 Advent Scriptures

Links to each day's reading, prayer and audio

First Week of Advent

  1. Gabriel's Announcement to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
  2. Blessed Are You Among Women (Luke 1:39-45)
  3. Christ Comes to His Rightful Kingdom (Genesis 49:10)
  4. The Seed and the Sacrifice (Genesis 22:8, 18)
  5. A Great Light Has Dawned (Isaiah 9:1-2)
  6. For unto Us a Child Is Born (Isaiah 9:6).
  7. Reigning on David's Throne (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Second Week of Advent

  1. The Angel Appears to Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25)
  2. Today I Have Begotten You (Psalm 2)
  3. A Priest Like Melchizedek (Psalm 110).
  4. The Spirit Will Rest upon Him (Isaiah 11:1-3)
  5. Messiah's Righteousness and Justice (Isaiah 11:3-5)
  6. The Peace of the Messiah (Isaiah 11:6-10)
  7. In the Fullness of Time (Galatians 4:4-5)
Third Week of Advent

  1. Birth in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7)
  2. Glory to God in the Highest (Luke 2:8-14)
  3. The Shepherds Visit the Christ Child (Luke 2:15-20)
  4. Image of the Invisible God (Colossians 1:15-20)
  5. Who Can Endure the Day of His Coming? (Malachi 3:1-4)
  6. The Blessing of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
  7. The Blessing of Anna (Luke 2:36-38)
Fourth Week of Advent

  1. Wise Men from the East (Matthew 2:1-6).
  • Christmas Day. We Have Seen His Glory (John 1:1-14)
  1. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh (Matthew 2:7-12)
  2. The Flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23)
  3. The Everlasting Kingdom of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14)
  4. The Boy Jesus (Luke 2:39-52)
  5. The Suffering Servant (Matthew 1:21; Isaiah 53:4-6)
  6. He Emptied Himself (Philippians 2:5-11)


 
28 Advent Scriptures, by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Also available in book formats: PDF, Kindle, and paperback.

Here's how we'll study together.

  • Each day in Advent this year I'll e-mail you Advent meditation for the day. Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my notes to help you understand it better.
  • You can respond to the discussion questions using the Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum -- and read others' answers to reinforce your own understanding.
  • With each lesson you'll receive a link to an 8 to 10 minute audio teaching with me reading the lesson. Some who learn better from hearing than from reading really appreciate this.
  • If Advent is shorter than 28 days, you'll receive some lessons after Christmas Day.

What people are saying...

"A rich probing of the various prophecies and narratives relating to the coming of the Messiah. " - Jan Yamanaka, Japan

"Without doubt the best Advent course I have ever done." -- Jenny Bales, UK

"Helped keep my focus on the true meaning of Christmas from the moment I started it through Christmas Day and even now." -- Vicki, New Jersey

"Strong meat for the maturing Christian." -- Millicent Black, Tennessee

"Provided readers a wider perspective and understanding of the event by illustrating what it meant by using the Gospels,  the Prophets, the Psalms, and the Epistles -- a feat that I have not seen before by a single author.   "  -- Wilfredo Adriano, Philippines

"Has given me a totally new insight and understanding." -- Andhra Anglican, Middle East

"Good Bible-based teaching without hint of prejudice, to the point, yet always Spirit-filled." -- Stephen Haddock, UK

"A profound impact on my spirit.... Made me see Christmas from a completely different perspective." Carlos Da Costa, Washington State

"Great addition to our Christmas season." -- Lyle Magnus, Canada

If you sign up now, you'll receive your first meditation on the First Sunday of Advent this Fall. There is absolutely no charge for these e-mail lessons. There is absolutely no charge for these e-mail lessons.


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28 Advent Scriptures: Readings and Resources for the Christmas Season

Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.