The word Advent means coming or arrival. The Church sets aside the four Sundays before Christmas as a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. During this time we pay particular attention to the Old Testament prophecies and promises that sustained an often oppressed Israel as she waited for her Messiah. It is also a time when we look forward to the 2nd coming of Christ as savior and judge of the living and the dead. Our new testament readings focus on the need for repentance and preparing to meet Jesus. As a part of our preparing to meet Jesus I am giving our members three ways to prepare spiritually for the Christmas season:

1. Option 1: Read one chapter of the gospel of Luke starting Dec. 1 and finish the gospel on Christmas (great devotional option for families and couples or new readers!)
2. Option 2: Read through the entire new testament in the 40 days before Christmas starting November 15 (see below)
3. Option 3: Read through the entire New Testament in the 25 days before Christmas (see below)

 

ADVENT READING

Print this out for each member of your LIFEgroup and invite them to set aside their regular personal devotional time so that all of you can meditate on the same passages of Scripture while apart during this Advent season. Then, when you all gather together, share with one another what God has been teaching, convicting, setting aright, or instructing each one of you during this season of anticipation.



 

FOUR WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

SUNDAY: Isaiah 7:14 and Micah 5:2


MONDAY: Matthew 1:18-24 and Luke 1:26-33

TUESDAY: Luke 2:1-5


WEDNESDAY: Luke 2:6-7


THURSDAY: Luke 2:8-9


FRIDAY: Luke 2:10-12


SATURDAY: Luke 2:13-14



 

THREE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

SUNDAY: Luke 2:15-16

MONDAY: Luke 2:17-18

TUESDAY: Luke 2:19


WEDNESDAY: Luke 2:20


THURSDAY: Luke 2:21


FRIDAY: Matthew 2:1-2

SATURDAY: Matthew 2:3-6



 

TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

SUNDAY: Matthew 2:7-8


MONDAY: Matthew 2:9

TUESDAY: Matthew 2:10-11


WEDNESDAY: Matthew 2:12-15


THURSDAY: Galatians 4:4-5


FRIDAY: Ephesians 2:8-9


SATURDAY: 1 John 4:7-16

 

ONE WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS 


(You may or may not have a full week before Christmas Day.)


SUNDAY: Ephesians 2:12-22


MONDAY: John 7:37-38, and 14:6

TUESDAY: Matthew 28:19-20


WEDNESDAY: John 8:12


THURSDAY: John 9:4-5 and Matthew 5:14-16

FRIDAY: Psalm 98:1-6 


SATURDAY: John 1:1-3, 14 and Romans 6:23

 

CHRISTMAS DAY

Psalm 100, Revelation 3:20-21

 

(used by permission)