How to Use This Advent Calendar
We invite you to take a journey following the path Mary and Joseph took from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Along the way, pause each day to reflect on Scripture, listen to a song of the season, and prepare your heart to welcome Christ.
FOLLOW THE PATH
For each day in December, read the daily scripture listed below.
LISTEN AND REFLECT
For each week, you’ll find a devotional that looks at the themes of Advent (Hope, Peace, Joy, Love, and Christ) through the lens of a song or hymn. Click the image for that week to read the devotional and to listen to the corresponding song. Play the song of the week each day as you read your daily Scripture.
MAKE IT MEANINGFUL
Instead of candy or treats, try doing something small each day to share the spirit of Advent. Here are some ideas:
- Write a note of encouragement to someone who needs hope.
- Light a candle and pray for peace in a specific place or situation.
- Donate gently used clothes or toys to bring joy to another family.
- Share love by calling someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
ARRIVE AT THE MANGER
On Christmas Day, celebrate the arrival of Christ, the Light of the world. Read the final Scripture, listen to the final song, and rejoice that the journey has brought you to Him.
December 1
In the beginning, the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
December 2
God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. John 1:3
December 3
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Romans 5:12
December 4
All of us like sheep have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Isaiah 53:6
December 5
Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’. Matthew 1:23
December 6
The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, because God is very pleased with you. Listen! You will become pregnant and have a baby boy. You will name him Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31
December 7
“He will be great. People will call him the Son of the Most High God, and the Lord God will make him king like his ancestor David. He will rule over the people of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:32-33
December 8
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah happened. His mother Mary was engaged to marry Joseph. But before they married, he learned that she was expecting a baby. (She was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit.) Matthew 1:18
December 9
But after Joseph thought about this, an angel from the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to accept Mary to be your wife. The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20
December 10
“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
December 11
So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. It was known as the town of David. Joseph went there because he was from the family of David. Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him. (She was now pregnant.) Luke 2:4-5
December 12
While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have the baby. Luke 2:6
December 13
She gave birth to her first son. She wrapped him up well and laid him in a box where cattle are fed. She put him there because the guest room was Tull. Luke 2:7
December 14
That night, some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem watching their sheep. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord was shining around them. The shepherds were very afraid. Luke 2:8-9
December 15
The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you-news that will make everyone happy. Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11
December 16
“This is how you will know him: You will find a baby wrapped in pieces of cloth and lying in a feeding box.” Luke 2:12
December 17
Then a huge army of angels from heaven joined the first angel, and they were all praising God, saying, Praise God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace to the people with whom he is pleased.” Luke 2:13-14
December 18
The angels left the shepherds and went back to heaven. The shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this great event the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:15
December 19
So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box. Luke 2:16
December 20
When they saw the baby, they told what the angels said about this child. Luke 2:17
December 21
The shepherds went back to their sheep, praising God and thanking him for everything they had seen and heard. It was just as the angel had told them. Luke 2:20
December 22
Once you were far away from God, but now you belong to Christ Jesus. He spilled his blood for you. This has brought you near to God. Christ himself is our peace. Ephesians 2:13-14
December 23
We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with him because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1
December 24
Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.” John 14:6
December 25
For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “YES!” 2 Corinthians 1:20